Monday, November 11, 2013

Catania Sicily

{k uh - t AI n - y uh}. Umbrella Girls, golden arches of McDonald's and a headless statue make up the welcoming committee. Flamboyant Italian Techno echoes off the surrounding buildings. Roving street vendors proffer a wide arrange of trinkets to entice the euro out of my pockets; whizzes and gadgets galore.  Surprisingly their English is perfect. I decide to keep my eyes fixed straight ahead, to look longer than five seconds means yes even if you mean no; it’s a risky business.

Across the street a group of women from the hot pants brigade march in time.  PDA is not discouraged here. Lips that dutifully kiss ‘Nonie’ on the cheek, were passionately exchanging saliva with their lover in the center of Elephant Square not an hour before. Production of Italians seems to be the main export here. The smell of fried food and humanity fill the air.

From the doors of a Cathedral an elderly priest recites mass reverently in Sicilian. I can’t understand what he is saying. I think it is something like “For those about to rock, we salute you!” But I can’t be sure, my Sicilian is rusty.


Criss crossing streets, narrowly avoiding being a victim of shady Italian driving.  A typical Sunday night in Catania. 

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