Oh Sicilia!

Italy is wonderful. I spent 2 nights in Rome waiting for my luggage to catch up with me. Well, I didnt wait in the hostel... I walked, or more like wandered, the streets. Rome is great but on a strict budget i didnt go inside much and decided to spend my money on better things, like gelatto! Mom, Dad and I hit all the touristy sights when we visited Rome 4 years ago. All thats left is the Sistine Chapel that I will hit on my way out!

I traveled south from Rome to Naples. Overall, not impressive. Nearly left on the next train after seeing the neighborhood where my hostel was but I decided to give it a chance. Downtown, it was nice and there was a great view from a mountain. I daytripped to Pompeii, which in year 79AD a volcano errupted covering a whole city. Now it is a tourist attraction... the entire city! Pretty cool! Another day trip out of Naples was to an island called Ischia. I wish I would have spent 3 days there rather than anytime in Naples! Loved it!

I left Naples at midnight to spend the night on the train to Sicily. Sat in a 6 person cabin with a nun, an english speaking couple and an italien in his 30s who hogged 2 seats. I didnt sleep at all until he got off at like 5am. But then the 3 others freed up the 3 person bench just for me! Living in Africa, traveling on a budget... gotta milk it for all its worth right?

I spent the day in Siracusa and took a boat tour to some island caves and then went to Messina to spend the night. Got up early and caught a 3 hour train to Palermo, where I am now. It's located where the big toe would be of the boot of Italy! Amazing beach just a 20 min bus ride from the hostel and today I hope to find a vineyard.

So whats the plan now? (since they have changed a bit) I will take a night train to Florence and spend the night, then to Venice for the day to Turin for the night. Then to Grenoble, to Paris and then.... to Neenah Wisconsin! My brother has been real sick; a doctor's mystery for far too long. He was diagnosed with Diabetics Neuropothy a few days ago and is responding well to meds, thank goodness! So I will be in America to see him and anyone else who may want my company August 25 through September 5!