My first time in the “toe” of Italy’s boot, I spent 7 hours touring Palermo, taking in sites on and off the beaten path. What struck me most was the interesting and varied Norman Arabic, and Baroque architecture; unbelievably chaotic traffic; and that only Italian is spoken here (it is not infested w. tourists). Heavily bombed during WWII, there remain bombed out sections of the city that were never restored. I must confess: I couldn’t help but think of La Cosa Nostra—especially when there are a plethora of t-shirts, post cards, and other souvenirs that feature mafiusu and even Don Corleone! I bonded with the local merchants when I told them I am from Chicago—infamous for serving as Al Capone’s home base. Every since I began travelling 30 years ago, I find that foreigners connect Chicago to Al Capone. In France, they used to say, “Bang, Bang, do you carry a gun!” (in a really broken accent!)
I began my day by searching for stop #1 on the red line of the Hop on Hop Off bus. Because the process for acquiring tickets and boarding was so chaotic, I decided to sit back and enjoy two complete circuits that included stops at The 4 Corners Square, The Famous Markets, and The Palace Reale
I disembarked and got acquainted up close and personal by strolling through the narrow streets, visiting colorful and abundant markets, and savoring a gelato, a cappuccino, and a delectable slice of pizza.
I will save a visit to the Catacombs for my next stop here.
