Thursday, October 22, 2009

The Daily Routine

Got an e-mail from our fun loving daughter in law Liz who said “enough about where we are going and where we have been…..give us the good stuff ! What have you been eating and what are you doing?” Ah yes, the good stuff in life!

I’m here to say we’ve developed some new habits. Staying up late and getting up even later in the morning! We have broken some all time records here for how late we can sleep in. We can put a teenager to shame! And, we have a siesta nearly every afternoon!

The Meditterreans are very traditional regarding their meals and family. Every meal is considered a family event so everyone is present (except school age children during lunch) for every meal. Feels like home and we sure do love it. Everyone gets dressed up when eating out, even the babies. Different regions specialize in different types of food, but since these are coastal areas seafood is the specialty. Octopus is a delicacy and I am here to confirm this truth. It is delicious. We also have tried almost every other type of fish offered and have had rabbit. It is always interesting ordering something you have never had before in a language you don’t speak regularly. Even more interesting is to see what you get. My favorites was …..Paella. Bits of shrimp, crab, prawns, chicken cooked with some vegetables and served piping hot from the pan with a saffron and rice combo. Before you is everything you might want in one pan. I tried not to lick the plate when I was done! The wines are phenomenal and the locals will tell you the sherries are the best in the world.

We usually sleep in pretty late in the mornings so will have a cappuccino and light snack in the morning. We usually will walk or ride our bikes along the beach and eat lunch where the locals eat. This usually occurs at about 2:00 and nobody ever finishes in less than 2 hours. Just about right since Siesta is usually from 4:00 to 6:00. Everything, and I mean everything stops at this time. Nightlife begins about 8:00 and a lot of people finish dinner after 10:00. We are living the life the locals do; we just have all day to do it.

We are now in Sicily and love the area. We have rented an Alfa Romero for the week and will driving through Sicily along the coast to Catania and then to Taoromina. On from there to Messina and then we will cross over by ferry to the mainland and on to Naples. We plan to stop in Sorrento and Pompeii along the way. We may have a flight on the Patriot Express next Wednesday to Crete, Greece so that is our only time element. This area is surrounded by olive and orange trees and is exquisitely beautiful.

Will send pictures next time. Sorry the post is a bit behind….. Cannot always find wireless connections.

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