4/11 Hopped on the train at 8:45 this morning heading to Siracusa. It was a nice train ride; only an hour through some very nice areas. It’s so easy to travel through Italy by train.

We grabbed a taxi to the next apartment with the most adorable, friendly older gentleman who was more than happy to tell us all about his little island of Ortigia which is where we are staying. It is in fact, the original Syracuse, the city expanding outward as the population grew.

I was glad he drove, good lord another crazy place for cars. We got to our apartment and it is absolutely lovely and it was spotless and very modern.

When we got to the apartment, the landlady had a cute little Easter wreath on the front door with a Welcome Fran and Jim sign.

We unpacked our things, grabbed our wallets and out the door we went. It took us a minute but we finally found the spot to pick up the Hop-on Hop-off bus and took it around the island. Oh my goodness is it very beautiful here. Feels like a resort area with so many restaurants, shops, places of history to see. We are in the old part of the island and it is very nice with access to a walking path along the waterfront. It’s still cool here so I have my little jacket and sweater on, even in the apartment. I know once the weather gets warmer it’ll be nice here with the ocean breeze. After our bus ride we walked around the city looking for a restaurant that was open. Instead we found a Salumeria so we bought bread, prosciutto, fresh ricotta cheese and yummy olives.

On the way home we found a restaurant that was open so we sat down and had late lunch. While waiting for our lunch, I noticed that the table runner was on seam side up. Now of course this had to bother me so I told Jim and he said “are you going to fix it?” No, not this time. Then I noticed the table cover on the table next to us and I groaned. Jim “now what?” “That table cover is not even on both ends! And no, I’m not touching it!” LOL! Now I know those of you who play mahjongg with me – know how I cannot stand to see things out of place but for once I didn’t fix anything!!

Jim: “And people think I am nit-picky! Fran takes the cake sometimes!”

Fran had spaghetti with anchovy and Jim had linguine with swordfish pieces. Both were delicious.

After that we walked home, put our stuff away and then headed back out to walk off the lunch/dinner since it was already after 4pm. So we walked and walked and what do you thing we found? – gelato! Now who could resist that? Absolutely delicious!

Finished that and we ran into a cannoli shop – oh geez we can’t keep doing this – oh heck why not. We each got the tiny cannoli (bottom shelf on the right) and it was good but not as good as the one I had in Catania. Gotta keep comparing that’s for sure. And by the way, we’ve seen at least two or three dozen cannoli “displays” since we have been in Sicily and NOT A SINGLE ONE has had the “prefilled” cannolis that you see in the States. Here the “shells” are filled with a fresh ricotta cheese mix when you place your order. It’s a sacrilege to “pre-fill” the shell!

We walked a while longer and decided that was enough for today. Although we are seeing sights here, it is still a good foodie trip, just like I hoped it would be.