All Our Bags Are Packed!

                                              Europe April/May # 27

                    Messina (Sicily) And Its Cathedral

This area is know for mussel farming. Along the coast, every hundred yards or so, stores sell mussels

It's been raining. Our bus was caked with mud. No chance to take pictures from the bus - windows were too dirty, We stopped for a quick bathroom break, The driver decided to wash the windows. Why didn't he do it earlier? We had a tight touring schedule. Our guide starting yelling at the driver to stop washing the windows and to get going.

The driver must have taken pride in how his bus looked. He kept washing away

The bathroom break turned into an eating frenzy

Which one looks good?

Maybe this one?

Perhaps will take these two cakes

Or, maybe these two pies...

On the other hand...

Okay. Decision made...

Meanwhile, back at the ranch or in this case, the bus, Angelo continues to wash away the dirt...

Many Messina buildings reflect old, classic architecture

Plenty of "kingly" statues around town

Plenty of places to get a great cannoli

People come to this church to watch the bell tower's mechanical pieces move, make noise and entertain. Although interesting, it doesn't compare to the Munich's Rathaus-glockenspiel in the Marienplatz

Everyone looking up, taking photos 

and "ooohing and ahhhhing"

The tower offers time and astrology

Immense interior

Beautiful and ornate ceiling

Church designs are always interesting

This is a 1500's original unlike other statues that were destroyed during an earthquake

This is a copy

From our eyes, the "original" has more detail in the hair, folds of clothing, etc.

Love this piece

The church organ has 16,000 pipes

Survived the earthquake - A miracle!

We cruised by the Stromboli Volcano. The rain and clouds obscured the top where it usually smokes and spouts lava. We've passed this volcano in the past during the night time - much more dramatic

Bread art

Decorative art

Dessert art

An "arty" couple