May 2, 2009 - I see dead people....

I am in the crypt of the Capuchin monks, on the outskirts of Palermo (yes, the same monks after whom the cappuccino was named, but I digress). ... We both wondered if breathing in the air would give us all sorts of terrible diseases! Palermo is poor, obviously so. ... On the other side of the square is a completely dilapidated mansion, run down, vandalised and unoccupied - this seems to symbolise Palermo, beauty amidst backwardness. ... While a lot of work is going to repair the many potentially beautiful historic buildings, Palermo still has an air of decay about it. ... Oh, and yes I had a good coffee in Palermo. ...

May 10, 2008 - Palmero

Palermo, like any ancient city, is a mix of the old and new. ... Unfortunately Willy’s initiation to Palermo was a drive through the middle of the city at peak hour. ... We are in a little town just out of Palermo, on the ocean and where everything still runs how it always has. ... Dolce Vita Giro de Italia- Stage 1 Team Time Trial Palermo Now, the main reason we are here in Italy is to follow Italy’s version of the Tour de France, the Giro de Italia, for 3 weeks. ...

Nov 23, 2007 - Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Hello from Palermo, Italy, on the beautiful island of Sicily. ... Home to the Mafia (which is still alive and well in the city), canelloni, pizza, espresso machiatto and numerous other wonders.Hello from Palermo, Italy, on the beautiful island of Sicily. ... Home to the Mafia (which is still alive and well in the city), canelloni, pizza, espresso machiatto and numerous other wonders....

Sep 30, 2007 - At Sea 2

LIFE ON BOARD: Purell and no housework It's a world of anti-bacterials on cruise ships these days.LIFE ON BOARD: Purell and no housework It's a world of anti-bacterials on cruise ships these days....

Jul 18, 2007 - Palermo Sicily, Italy

Today we docked in Palermo. ... During the time this castle was used there were four languages used in Palermo: Greek for scientific things; Latin in the church; Greek for conversation; and Hebrew by the Jewish immigrants. ... Because of this, all printed material was printed in all four languages.Today we docked in Palermo. ... During the time this castle was used there were four languages used in Palermo: Greek for scientific things; Latin in the church; Greek for conversation; and Hebrew by the Jewish immigrants. ... Because of this, all printed material was printed in all four languages....

May 19, 2007 - An afternoon in Palermo

Today we were heading to Palermo just for one night by way of Messina. ... The ride from Messina to Palermo was about a 3 hour ride along the coast. ... With only an afternoon in Palermo, we decided to go out on our street for a little wander and see what we encounter. ...

May 7, 2007 - South through Corleone and Prizzi to Enna

May 7 - Back to the east coast of Sicily via the interior. Stunning scenery as we climbed up and up into the mountains south of Palermo, to a high plain with green rolling hills, few villages and large farms. ... The lake at the top (a water reservoir) was especially beautiful.May 7 - Back to the east coast of Sicily via the interior. Stunning scenery as we climbed up and up into the mountains south of Palermo, to a high plain with green rolling hills, few villages and large farms. ... The lake at the top (a water reservoir) was especially beautiful....

Jul 27, 2006 - Corleone

One of my main motivations for coming to Sicily at all was to visit for a day the small town of Corleone, home town of the fictional Don Corleone in one of my all-time favourite films, The Godfather, which is also partly set here- I wanted to see it for myself. An hour and a half's bus ride south of Palermo through the sun-dried, mountainous Sicilian interior and we (I was joined by Matt one of the guys from the hostel) were there. ... We walked round the town during siesta time.One of my main motivations for coming to Sicily at all was to visit for a day the small town of Corleone, home town of the fictional Don Corleone in one of my all-time favourite films, The Godfather, which is also partly set here- I wanted to see it for myself. An hour and a half's bus ride south of Palermo through the sun-dried, mountainous Sicilian interior and we (I was joined by Matt one of the guys from the hostel) were there. ... We walked round the town during siesta time....

Jul 27, 2006 - Palermo- a Sicilian message

Fortunately I did not end up 'sleeping with the fishes' here by I did do a lot of sleeping on the train, utterly exhausted after Rome. The first thing I saw as I walked out of Palermo station was a dead dog lying in the afternoon sunshine. ... I stayed in Palermo university's halls of residence. ... Three really cool Aussies and a girl from California made up the entire English speaking contingent here and we formed a group as such.Fortunately I did not end up 'sleeping with the fishes' here by I did do a lot of sleeping on the train, utterly exhausted after Rome. The first thing I saw as I walked out of Palermo station was a dead dog lying in the afternoon sunshine. ... I stayed in Palermo university's halls of residence. ... Three really cool Aussies and a girl from California made up the entire English speaking contingent here and we formed a group as such....

Jul 17, 2006 - The Norman Palace

This morning we decide to head back down to the Norman Palace for a look inside.This morning we decide to head back down to the Norman Palace for a look inside....

Jul 16, 2006 - Palermo sights

Today we grab our free map and head out for some sightseeing. We make our way down to the historical area of town - Palermo has a very strong Arab influence in all it's shops and architecture as that's part of it's background. ... We see the Teatro Massimo (Massimo Theatre) which is a grand old building that has been totally restored.Today we grab our free map and head out for some sightseeing. We make our way down to the historical area of town - Palermo has a very strong Arab influence in all it's shops and architecture as that's part of it's background. ... We see the Teatro Massimo (Massimo Theatre) which is a grand old building that has been totally restored....

Jul 15, 2006 - Onwards to Palermo

Up early this morning to catch the train for the 5 hour journey to Palermo. ... The cab driver that takes us to the station informs us that the bus only takes 3 hours, but the bus had already left by this time - so the train it is! We first catch one train to Catania which is about 1 hour north and then we switch trains to another one which will take us through to Palermo. ... When this train turns up at the platform we think it must be a joke cause it's only one carriage - including the driver's section!! We ask someone and they assure us this is the right train so we hop on - it's very old fashioned and as you go along the driver is actually changing gears! We arrive in Palermo mid-afternoon and have a bit of a wander around to get our bearings. ...