Posted on 01/28/2019 4:51:50 PM PST by SunkenCiv
[snip] I'm in Syracuse on Sicily's east coast, founded by the Greeks 27 centuries ago. In the city's ancient heart is the Duomo, the Cathedral of Syracuse. Today, this is a Christian church, but to walk through its doors is to take a trip back in time to 500 years before Christ was even born. The Duomo began life in 480 BC as the building project of a Greek tyrant, who having beaten the Carthaginians in battle, used the loot to build this. And these are the columns from that temple, soaring up into the sky. It was topped by a statue of Athena with a golden shield that could be seen for miles around. This building was a marvel for the Mediterranean before a single block of the Parthenon had ever been laid. [/snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...
This is a 2 part BBC documentary. I watched it last year.
I plan to watch part two in a little while, I just have find the correct Moe, there’s probably five guys named Moe.
If I had a time machine, I'd probably like Morocco, Libya, and Tunisia a little more as a vacation destination. :^)
I was stationed at NAF Sigonella, just outside Catania...mid-70’s. Been back a few times, took the family once. It’s a rough but very beautiful place. Some towns are almost fairybook-like. The food, the history, the people...just an incredible experience. Anybody that has a chance to go...go.
The Duomo of Syracuse. Also known as the Orange Dome?
“I just have find the correct Moe, there’s probably five guys named Moe.”
Make it 6....
Il cibo e molto buono!
I've been a dues-paying member for a couple-three decades. The organization puts together an annual trip to Sicily (that I've never been able you attend). But, the bi-annual periodicals they produce make membership worthwhile...not to mention their bookstore of books on Sicily that are available to purchase.
I haven’t been in several years now and they may have cleaned up the problem but hoodlums sometimes stand in the parking lot of tourist places (temple at Agrigento, for instance) and carry baseball bats. If you don’t pay them a small fee, they destroy your rental car. You must pay them something! Then they’ll leave you alone. It doesn’t have to be much.
That is the only problem we had. Otherwise, it is beautiful, safe and as far as you can get to an exotic vacation and still feel a part of the western tradition. Beautiful isle!
I’ve been to Sicily. Outside of the main tourist areas of Catania, Siracusa and Palermo, it was pretty bleak. Even the food at the roadside inns in the central part of the island (farmlands) was surprisingly awful. This was some years ago, though.
Women, carry a purse, but have your money and passport in your bra. Men, have an outside fanny pack and and inside carrier, like a money belt or a wallet that straps under your clothes. In the outside bag, keep your sunscreen, guidebook and a few euros in a small travel wallet with a fake ID.
My family comes from Palermo and Catania. I had my dna done and I am 89% Southern Italy so I don’t want to hear any jokes about us Sicilians not being Italian. :0)
That mmmmmaaaay be a different Syracuse...
Tell her, "make me a sandwich." Go ahead. Dare ya. ;^)
Every time I watch The Godfather I yell , "Don't Start The Car, Appolonia!" It never works.
Thanks!
I'm sure it is, but don't take my word for it, I'm a fat guy, I'm really not that discerning.
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