European Cruise Day 1: Messina, Sicily, Italy
Disclaimer: These are all unedited and uncensored. They are raw emotion, intellect and information. I hope you enjoy my experiences.
*Miranda and Alyssa are my sisters and Thomas is my soon to be brother in law.*
Seems like cream cheese isn’t international…
Thomas just told me that he saw a sign saying bringing fruits, vegetables and poultry from the ship onto the island of Sicily will result in a $50,000 fine. I have 3 kiwis and 2 apples in my bag. I wonder if it’s a fine per fruit. I’m screwed.
Mom decided last minute to take a different excursion. She chose the treasures of Messina (the port town in Sicily) while we’re going to Mt Etna.
The Arabs brought lemon trees to Sicily then discovered snow on Mt Etna (discovered by the Greeks, means “to smoke”). Combining the two, they made what is now ice cream.
Just being in a country that was founded by the Greeks thousands of years ago is amazing. The buildings show the age, yet there are less people than America. I met a kind man in the hotel that I used the restroom on our first stop. I asked to use the toilet. That’s where I found that pretty mirror where I took a picture. I said gratci and he replied choi Bella. Good people.
It’s sinking in just now that I’m about to peak the first active volcano I’ve ever truly seen. There are 30 craters on Mt Etna. Most of the eruptions don’t come from the peak but from the other craters. This is incredible. I’m walking on ash. The ash is constantly coming from the volcano. I wonder if it’s slick to drive on. I’ll never forget the feeling of the lava ash, which is more like mini lava rock, hitting the back of my calves as I walk. I tried almond wine, a dessert wine, and lava juice, a spicy liquor! We bought some almond wine which Miranda later illegally got back onto the ship. When security tried to get her attention, she just didn’t respond. Such a crafty little one she is. :)
Nature preservers. As soon as the ash settles from a fresh lava flow, the green begins to grow. The cycle of life is always reemerging like a Phoenix from the ash. Such a good metaphor for a volcano!
We stopped at a jewelry factory as our last stop of the tour in Sicily. They fed us hor d’eourves and showed us their beautiful house of jewels. Miranda claimed “there’s something in the juice!” They took us to the basement, or the dungeon as we joked, and showed us the process of jewelry making. It’s really quite interesting. They cleaned Alyssa’s “stand in engagement ring.” She was afraid of the real one getting taken by Italian gypsies! Could happen. Just hear my dad’s story.
We got back to the ship after another hour on the bus and a mini bottle of wine each. What a stumbling good time! We were eating dinner and they called a couple asking them to contact guest services immediately. It’s cool how they account for you on the way out and then check you back in to insure everyone is back on the boat. Wowza! I hope they make it. Now Thomas and I are going to see Inception in the screening room. Chao!
Inception stopped before the last ten minutes! We called, they said they’re playing it again at 4p tomorrow. Looks like we’ll show up at 6 to see the last part. Boy oh boy. Now Miranda and I are wandering the boat. I showed her the Dragon’s Lair dance club which is awesome. I plan on getting slain there at least once. Woo! Now we’re at the Lotus Room where it’s a name that tune - line of the song style. It’s hilarious! Life is good.
Note to self: don’t get in over your head with karaoke songs. I gave Geek In The Pink by Jason Mraz a try and didn’t do too well…
“You just destroyed my tuna sandwich. You ate half of it and then literally destroyed it” - Miranda - 1a and we’re drunk
