dollyd

even have priority during the Ironman race! As the first of the competitors were arriving at the finish line for the bike race, I watched the police open the gates to the race path for a old local couple with their dog to allow it access the the grassy median to do its business.
I guess its better than letting it go in the street like everyone else. They had the best view for watching some of the top competitors come in while waiting for the little guy to finish up. Lucky dogs!

People were very chatty, kept asking me if I was going for a walk which it seemed obvious that I was. I had worries about whether they were sketchy men trying to pick me up (possibility? in italy, always?) but considering I was the most clothed person around I chose to think they were just mildly curious, friendly folks.

A sign at the front of the villa seemed to say it was only open on weekends…or at least that’s what I understood it to say with my limited Italian skills.
Inside I felt as if I had stumbled on some sort of ceremony, a bunch of clapping happened then people (mainly older women) started flocking out and headed over to what appeared to be a buffet. I don’t know I was confused, felt like I shouldn’t have been there, and just wanted to try and snap a few pics without being noticed. That being said, the little of the inside I saw was beautiful and while the grounds of the park area were a little dried up, with the pond in the middle the area still had its own charm.

This place is such a great bed and breakfast. Its owners are very nice and helpful, the facilities are very well kept, and the breakfast is delicious. While its not smack dab in the middle of the tourist center, it’s not a far walk, and its quite possibly a better location because its better located to check out some of the other sites that are a little away from the center. If you’re going to Palermo and need a place to stay I definitely recommend Kemonia!

Just take bus #389 from Indipendzia and you’re there in under half an hour. Beautiful little town that provides great shots of Palermo below. Quaint streets with vendors selling local kitsch, a nice modern art gallery, interesting architecture – basically my kind of place!

Totally macabre but definitely worth it – I can’t say I’ve ever seen something like it before.

On my first day in Palermo I randomly found my way here when I still didn’t have map. Hot and tired its steps were the perfect place to relax and sip on granitas sold from a cart in front of the teatro. Delicious and refreshing! (both the granitas and the teatro!)

I visited the museum yesterday, June 13, 2008, and they had the 3rd Floor roped off. I hadn’t read your entry and didn’t ask to go up, but was disappointed when I saw it “closed”. I also arrived at 1pm and they closed at 2 so I didn’t have much time.
From an American’s perspective, I didn’t find the museum that spectacular, which was disappointing because I had been very excited to see it. I understand why there weren’t many explanations in English, but I felt as a whole, things weren’t explained that well or clearly labeled (aside from the first floor area in the back with the ruins from the temples) in any language. It was also very empty when I was there (of people that is) but its very likely that was because no one else was as foolish as me to go only 45 minutes before they closed for the afternoon.
I think it would’ve been a better experience for me if I had done some better research before going in.

I thought I was on my game, having gotten out of my hostel by 8:30 in the morning, getting my Oyster card and hopping on the tube. Then I arrived at the National Gallery on that rainy morning only to find out that it didn’t open until 10 am. I had an hour to kill and didn’t want to spend money buying a coffee or a second breakfast and didn’t want to stand out in the rain, so I wandered over to the church and they were rehearsing before mass. FANTASTIC! I never thought there was anything special about a choir, but god they were good.

I believe any country that attemtpts to measure quality of life by gross national happiness merits a visit.