What an eye opening tour we had this morning in the WW2 museum. There is a complex of museums in an area that was an old sulfur factory. The area was taken over after the sulfur mining business stopped because the USA figured out how to make sulfur chemically. The experience brought us first into an old town square. We then moved to a “bunker” where we were told to lean against the walls in a dark space. The sounds of bombing began and we felt the walls vibrate. Then the whole space shook a bit as the bombing continued. We left once the all clear siren blew. Then we entered the next space that was the destroyed town we had just left. It was sobering.
We continued through the museum learning about operation husky to stop Hitler and Mussolini From conquering Africa and bringing pain to Sicily. Interestingly, Moroccan soldiers came from Africa and did horrible things to the Sicilian women as they came through with the Nazis. There are so many parts to the story. It was frightening to see what parallels there are in today’s war zones and politics.
We left the museum and came back into town for a little history of the land that has been expanded over time by Mama Aetna, the volcano that is a fickle mother. We had a late visit to the fish market which was closing down.
We had lunch in the fish market area…all caught today. Mussels, swordfish and lemon ice. Nothing could be more fresh.
Patricia and I went to the Bellini museum this afternoon. It was his childhood home. He was an extremely talented musician who in his 32 years of life wrote 10 operas. The part that was his home had musical instruments, and there were original music papers as well. We hoped to finish by seeing his monument in the Duomo church but it was closed to us and only open for school children. Don’t know why.
Our later afternoon time was spent with a volcanologist who has spent his life studying Mt Aetna. Apparently one of the very unusual features of Aetna is that unlike most volcanoes that have a single top, Aetna has over the years developed 5 tops each of which has sustained eruptions. The photographs and videos made me wish we might see a small eruption. Its spectacular. And no matter what the news says, you can out walk the lava flow. So many questions but much is still being discovered.
Patricia and I left to go back to the fish market to have stuffed sardines(a local street food) and calamari for dinner. We met a very nice family having a “girl trip” with a young mother and infant. They were Hungarian, and Patricia had Hungarian ancestry. They spoke good English so we enjoyed our conversation.
We came back to the hotel to end the night in the rooftop bar with some trip friends. Tomorrow we go to Taormina
The Adventures of Anne 