After missing
breakfast by ten minutes and watching black water fill our toilet, we got directions to the train station, waited at
the bus stop for about 30 minutes, then stood around at the bus station for
another 30 minutes looking like idiots because we had no idea where to go. We
knew the direction we had to go, but saw no cross walks or sidewalks anywhere.
We finally figured it out, and after getting a croissant for breakfast, getting
a little more confused, walking under a tunnel, asking a police officer where
the “treni stazione” was and continuing in the direction we had been heading,
we finally found the train station! We had about an hour wait until the next
train left for Siracusa, so we got some traditional Sicilian food called an
arancini, sat on a bench and basked in the sun.
On the train we met
two other girls that are studying abroad in Italy, one in Rome staying with a
host family, and the other in a town about an hour away from train, also
staying with a host family. Maggie passed out on the train because she was
still exhausted from flying and the week before, but I talked to them the whole
way to Siracusa!
Our hotel wasn’t
far from the train station once we got there, so we checked in and got ready to
explore Ortigia, the island in Siracusa. The island is, as I always say to
describe everything, BEAUTIFUL! It’s very relaxed and quaint, with soothing
ocean waves, and the cutest little streets. We saw Piazza Duomo, the Temple of
Athena which is now a Cathedral, the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, the famous
fresh water spring, the castle on the tip of the island, and a very beautiful
sunset.
The Pantheon in Siracusa
Some water sport that was very entertaining
The Temple of Apollo
Cute side streets
Piazza Minerva
Piazza Duomo
Temple of Athena - now Siracusa Cathedral
Fonte Aretusa - fresh water spring
Photo shoot...
Observation of the Day: With a little effort, you can always find your way to the most beautiful things. It was truly a struggle getting to Siracusa, but once we were there, I saw some of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen!
