The view from my window

The view from my window
The view from my window

Wednesday 10 October 2018

Sicily - la fin!


Our last couple of days in Sicily were spent visiting the ancient Greek town of Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples. The remains here were quite spectacular with the Temple of Concord and the Temple of Zeus being incredibly intact - the Temple of Zeus is also the largest temple built by the Greeks. As we were being given the background at the Temple of Zeus there was a modern day section of the "Oracles" - basically screaming women who predicted the future. I (and many others) didn't like it at all (call it art, call it what you want but it was still just a bunch of screaming women to this pleb) but our guide was saying that they believe there had been sulphur and other gas emissions in the area and it is quite possible that the "Oracles" were driven crazy and given to screaming as a result of being subjected to these gasses. Now that is interesting.


I loved this olive tree - many hundreds of years old.


Our last day was spent in the beautiful town of CefalĂș, a lovely fishing port dominated by one of Sicily's finest Norman cathedrals. Now this town I really loved. I don't know why, but it had so much character and was just so pretty.


CefalĂș

There were small, pretty beaches - uncrowded - and loads of interesting back streets to explore. All in all a lovely way to end our stay.

As for our group, they were pretty nice. Well, I have usually found my travelling companions to be pleasant, to be honest. Of course there are always a couple that everyone tends to avoid like the plague but all in all they were a nice bunch. There was an 80 year old lady who was not a widow but who was the carer for her husband who suffered from both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The poor thing occasionally took a short break in order to get away from the constant strain of being a never-ending care giver. She did it willingly, of course, but 24/7 that has got to be so hard. Her name was Marion. Now I have a sister called Marion and a sister called Brenda, and I'm pretty sure I called her Brenda right up to the last day - but she didn't bat an eyelid! She was quite bent over and just a diddy little thing to begin with but she and I boogied on my birthday like there was no tomorrow. When it came time to doing The Twist and we had to go "round and round and up and down" she laughed and said she had a head start because she was already that much nearer the floor! What a lovely lady she was! There was also a very distinguished older chappie who was a former RAF fighter pilot. It was his first trip since losing his wife and he was quite quiet to begin with - very reserved - but even he came out of his shell a little by the end of the week. As you can see, I love my trips and I tend to really enjoy these people's company so maybe our Tour Manager was right - I might like to consider applying to become a Tour Manager myself at some point. The area I live in is a big draw for these kinds of tours - be it in the summer for the lakes or the winter for the skiing. Since I know the area and speak the language I would obviously have an advantage, although the Tour Manager is not the local guide, he just makes sure everyone gets on the right bus and nobody leaves their false teeth in a glass by the bed! Moreover, I like people (well most of them and can usually fake it till I make it with the others), so I am seriously giving it some thought - maybe next year after the wedding. Who knows, the world is your oyster isn't it!

8 comments:

  1. Give yourself a break before you consider working. I have just celebrated 2 years in retirement. I said I'll look for seasonal work next September to cover Christmas etc. I dont want to work all year round. I can see where youd fit in asxa travel guide.

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    1. In theory I don't need the money anyway but I do like travelling and I do like the contact. I want to spend a few months decluttering my house, then I'm off to Sri Lanka in March and then we have the wedding so I have time to cogitate anyway. I don't know if I'll go for it (or even if the would have me) but it is definitely seeping into my brain. And of course I wouldn't want anything full-time - I value my time too much. Can't believe you've been retired 2 years though. Wow, that went fast didn't it.

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  2. If you become a tour guide, I might take one of those tours. I tend ot like to be in control, but at some point, letting others make the details happen may have an appeal. Again, your pictures are really good-makes me log for the Mediterranean sky.

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    1. Just let me know when - we could have a blast. I always liked sorting everything myself too but being on my own and going to "out of the way" places like Peru and Cuba, I now prefer to be in a group and have someone else make the arrangements - and let's face it, they know those places better than I do don't they! I did go to Morocco completely on my own and didn't enjoy it as much as I might have had I had some company. We'll see if I follow up on it though won't we!

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  3. I have enjoyed your Sicily posts. My dad spent time in Sicily during WWII; he was in the navy and lived in the caves along the beach, where I don't know exactly but its interesting to see your photos and imagine him there.

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    1. Hi Jane, I remember your saying about your dad - wish I had known where he was located as I could have asked our guide about it. Sicily is big but not that big.

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  4. I just managed to catch up on your last 3 posts - Sicily looks amazing! Maybe on a future trip. I love the idea of being a tour manager, I am sure you would be good at it. So glad you got a clean bill of health. Cheers to that!

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    1. Obviously I live in Europe so you get used to castles and ancient ruins and stuff but I have to admit it was still quite awe-inspiring. To think those people were SO advanced all those hundreds of years ago is quite mind-blowing!

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