From Europe to North Africa

Well I have a couple of hours before I need to be somewhere so I thought I would spend some time and write about my adventures in Sicily and Italy. Where to start is the question. Rome was really amazing and I cant wait to go back for another 3 days before we fly back to Canada. Our friend Gianluca lives in Rome and is an awesome tourguide. I have already mentioned in a past blog about some places we visited in Rome so I wont repeat that. Overall its a fun city and it really helps to have a friend who speaks perfect English explain the history of it all. Its a very crowded city especially because of all the tourists. However, you wont find many people wondering the streets between 12-4 because its siesta time! All of the stores close and people eat lunch and rest and eat some more during this time. Italians really really love their food. That is something I have learned very well. If your on a diet and planning on travelling to Italy...those two things really dont go well together. They also love their wine!!!!!! You drink wine all the time and as soon as your done your class they pore another glass. I would also recommened anyone flying to Catania to not be surprised if you lose your luggage. Im very fortunate to have gotten mine within a day but some travellers I have met said they still hadnt gotten them after 10 days!!! Now, driving in Sicily is pretty crazy but not the craziest I have seen. Siya did an amazing job driving accross the large island. We did have some help from our very dependable friend Betsy...our GPS!!!! Without her I dont know where we would be right now....somewhere in Europe but most likely not in Palermo. Driving through Sicily was unbelievable! Its so beautiful. You have mountains on one side and the sea on the other. Youre driving up and down the mountains and the landscape is overwhelming. Each city we visited had its own unique look and history. We visted some really cool Greek temples in Regento, made a spear and caught crabs and sea orhcants in Agrigento, swan in the sea and tanned on a beautiful island in Taormina, visited fish markets in Catania, got stuck in an alleyway WITH the car with people honking behind us in Syracuse and we past through many other small and interesting towns along the way. Now we are in Palermo visiting relatives and looking for other relatives. We are staying at a beautifyl hotel for free because a relative owns the restaurant inside the hotel. We have been spoiled when it comes to food and accomidations. During our travels we have stayed in hostels, B&Bs, Hotels, Campsites and a villa overlooking an island in the middle of the sea. My mom has been really happy and Im really impressed with her Italian taking she hasnt practised is in 47 years! Im also impressed with how much money we have saved. I have been told that it is very expensive to travel in Europe but this trip has cost me 2000 for flights, car rentals, GPS, places to stay, food, gifts, sites, etc.... Not bad! Im also surprised how different Italy is from Sicily. There are so many different people from Africa, the Middle East, India and Greece living in Sicily. But thats because Sicily has been invaded by different countries throughout history. Everyone we have met has been very helpful and friendly as well. They will even go out of their way to personally lead you to where you want to go. We made some great new friends from other parts of the world. Thats one of my favorite parts of travelling. You get to meet people from all over and almost always you get an invite to visit them in their homeland with a free place to stay. Today we are booking our boatride to Tunisia. Tomorrow morning we will leave and we will stay in Tunisia for 5 days. Im really hoping to go on a camel trek through the desert! Its going to take 10 hours to get there but I know it will be well worth it! So now I must go and get prepared for another adventure...this time in Africa! I will write again soon.