Disappointment--But with Treats to Make Up For It

 

Buon giorno,

Have another picture of Palermo Cathedral in lieu of Monreale Cathedral I planned to visit today.

I should have taken it for an omen. This morning one of my contact lenses went bluey.

You should bring a back up lens, Pil.

This WAS my back up lens. The other one failed a couple of days ago. But I know I can get around one eyed.  I have been faithfully doing my Duolingo exercises and can frankly state they have done me no good on a practical tourist level. I have found no occasion to mention that Luca wants a new watch for his birthday.

To get to Monreale one has to take the bus. In my case two busses. I do not like busses, but I went and got a ticket that would last for two days--just in case. I'd carefully researched the busses and their numbers, but my first try was a bust. No, the bus I wanted did not stop at that stop. So I walked until I found the stop, waited a bit, and then got on the bus. I got off the bus at what I thought was the correct stop to get the 389 to Monreale. I did not see the destination listed, but it was mentioned at the ticket office so I asked. "Next stop to the left," was the reply.

Ok. I looked. I looked some more. There was a bus stop down the street, but it did not list 389. I knew the next stop had to do with the Palazzo, and I was close by, so I found it and hunted around for quite a while. Nope. I found a lot of tourist busses and il piccolo treno, but no 389.

On my way home, I passed an accident where a motorcycle and car collided. No one seemed to be badly hurt, but it was on a main drag and traffic was snarled. I'm surprised, given the traffic and all, that this is the first accident I've seen.

Taking what I learned today, I intend to try again tomorrow. But in the meantime I recognized a street and walked down it. I passed the Cathedral into Tourist Land, where to console myself I spend some money. I renewed my supply of sun screen paying an even more outrageous price for an even smaller tube. It will be a lesson for me to make sure I pack my own.

Then I spotted a store selling pistachio liquor, so I got myself a small bottle of Crema di Pistacchio and petted the cat lounging on the counter. Let's have a sip. Mmm. This is nice. It's at room temperature, but it's rather like drinking gelato. But wait, there's more

Sicily is famous for its desserts. Even in Northern Italy you can find Sicilian bakeries displaying their wares. The Muslims brought sugar to the West, so, in my opinion, that's why Sicily has so many sugary treats.  Like cassata. I have always wanted to try it. Let's have a bite. Mmm. So sweet and creamy!

What are you talking about, Pil?

Cassata is a traditional Sicilian cake, normally pink or green on top. It's a sponge cake soaked in liquor and layered with ricotta and candied fruit. It is as beautiful to eat as to look at. 

Here's hoping tomorrow will be fruitful

Ciao for now