A Shopping Loop

 

Buon giorno,

My time in Catania grows short, but I still have some errands to complete. I was eager to go out again, and the morning was nice and cool--although it grew muggy later, and rain is in the forecast. The picture is of the hill I go up and down, but the photography has flattened it.

I decided to revisit Parco Bellini as I had only seen one small part of it. It seems to be a popular place even on a weekday morning. I saw a large class going on, but I could not figure out. what they were doing. I was there for the lush greenery.

Then I thought it would be fun and interesting to explore Il Mercato di Piazza Carlo Alberto some more. The thing is huge!  I barely scratched the surface previously.  I did see a lot more of the place, but certainly not all because the noise and crowds began to bother me.

I was on a mission. One of the pleasures of travel is bringing home little treats for my friends. It's a way of sharing the experience. I had been scouting around and believed that I'd have good luck on a little street market just off Via Etnea. This was a calmer more elegant venue than Carlo Alberto.

One stand was selling items hand carved out of lava. This is something I could not possibly resist. I had to choose carefully because some of the objects were--uh--obscene, but there were plenty that weren't.  The proprietor carefully wrapped the things up, so I can't show you a photo.

I moved on to a stand selling IOP Chocoate. "Senza latte," the proprietor told me proudly. No milk here. My friends like European chocolate, so I quickly picked out some I thought they would enjoy. I was even offered a sample, which was aromatic and very tasty.  The people running the stand were a mother and son, and they were so friendly and charming, we had a conversation with me using as much Italian as I could. Fortunately the son was fluent in English, but they praised my Italian. Ha ha. It's the effort that counts not the results.  And, of course, they were thrilled to learn I was from Los Angeles.  I was able to add my sincere appreciation of Catania.

I wanted to make another stop, but when I got to the destination the place was closed.  I'll try again tomorrow.

A few days ago I obtained a substance called "Fuoco dell'Etna."  I hesitated because I thought "fire" might mean hot and spicy, but a conversation with the proprietor revealed it was a strawberry liqueur. It's pretty strong, but definitely strawberry--or fragola as we Italians say.

Dinner is torttulone doused in olive oil (I love extra virgin olive oil) and sprinkled with parmesan. Delicioso.