57. Sicily, Taormina

I left Capri with a sad heart

Torn because this has been a special part.

My journey here was one of happiness and peace

I met many people, local and from many places.

I wanted to say goodbye to many of my new friends

But had to be on a ferry at 9 and catch a train at half past ten.

The ferry was prompt, the bus from the wharf to the train was not

I barely made it to the station and grabbed a ticket to my next stop.

From Sorrento to Pompei, Pompei to Solerno

I had a two hour delay to go.

Solerno took me on a six hour train ride that was crowded

Even though it was first class, I shared it with three men, very loud.

One thing about Italian men, they share the machismo bravado

To explain something so simple, it takes an explanation that last an hour.

Two that were left were traveling to Reggo Calambria at the boot

We tried to communicate, they were polite, but I was mostly mute.

They always want to know everything about you, why you are here?

Where are you going and when will you get there?

I relished the silence and turned off the lights

Then the train boarded a ferry to cross the straights in the night.

It is quite a procedure as they jack-knife the cabs,

You stay onboard as thetrain is fastened on slabs.

I get to Taormina about 9:00 at night

Thank you God, there is a cab, outside, just to the right. 

The room is small and I am quite cold

It is noisy from young people, but then I am getting old!

I awake the next morning to see such a sight

I have a balcony that faces the sea and it bringing in sunlight.

After breakfast I venture to try to find the Il Teatro Antico

To climb the steps from the beach to the Citta de piazza.

I find a road, but it looks more like a highway

A woman stops in her car and says I will take you where you want to go today.

Signora, you must be lost, I will take you to the main plaza square

They way you are going is not going to get you there.

Her name was Dorina, and so very helpful to me

She explained where to go and how to get back to the sea.

I easily found the Teatro by signs

The city is not too large, but is preserved in time.

I am impressed by the beautiful ceramic tiles.

Each building is bright and cheerful with beautiful colors.

The area of the ancient theatre was populated in 358 BC.

Such an amazing site to imagine ancient people sitting next to me.

At the  centre is the orchestra, around is the cavea

So similar to how we build our theatres today.

The cunei or rows of seats could hold 10,000 spectators at a time,

That held a linen awning over it all to shield from the sun or rain.

The actors were all male at this time in history

Poetry and music were performed before the gladiators & wild beast became the mystery.

Mt. Eatna is smoldering in the background the same as it was 1,000 of years ago.

A magnificent site that the Greeks felt is where lived the Gods of old.

I listened to a play that was written for this theatre.

It was of Ulysses in the Iliad and the Odessey that they speak of here.

This very island and channel of the sea

Is where many sailors lost their lives and it made history.

They talk of monsters and Cyclops on this cliff

I wonder if it wasn’t the aliens of long ago that made up this myth.

I wander through the town center and laugh at the Italians relaxing

They know how to enjoy life without the worries that are taxing.

I find a ceramic shop that looks so much like my home in Tucson

I enter and a woman is painting doorknobs and creates another one.

Everything about this town reminds me of the home I created,

Rock walls,flagstone, river rock, tile floors,

White walls with deep sienna color accents,  ceramic tile arches galore.

I don’t know how they do it, but most are dressed very sophisticated

But I hardly see anyone work and the shops close from 2-5 for siesta.

I meet some Americans that are stationed in Sicily in the Navy.

They tell me of their adventures but can wait to get back to the US someday.

I get directions to the ancient steps to the sea

I follow it down and laugh to see that it takes me directly to my hotel if front of me.

Such a long ride by bus or car

But by walking it is straight up the mountain, and not really far.

I go to the beach and take a nap on a rock slab

I watch people sun bathing and playing, watch jellyfish and crabs.

I venture to a little island I’ve seen from my balcony sight

And people are crossing while the tide is very light.

I take a nap, but many people are beginning to show

An Asian woman asks if I want a massage, I will never say NO!

A full 45 minutes of shiatsu in the sand,

She puts tiger balm patches and my shoulders, neck and hands.

It was very relaxing and I stumble back to my room

I am too relaxed and tired to go out, so I will stay rested and in-tune!

Sunday is my next day of travel to Syracusa

I check out at 11, and the cab drives me to the station

But the train is cancelled and won’t be here for six hours, time to be patient!

He shows me that Mt Eatna volcano has erupted and there is an explosion,

But Taormina is safe, not to worry for any  reason.

He wants to drive me to Syracusa for 200 euros,

Ha, for that amount, he had better be more than a super-hero!

So, I sit and wait at the station all day overlooking the sea.