This blog post is short on details, I know, but it's late and I want to get to bed. Sorry. I might talk more about things of interest to me later if I get some free time.
The plan for today: head to Siracusa early and get back in the early evening for an appointment with Professore Lo Meo to go see Aci Castello and the islands of the cyclops. (Islands formed by the cyclops Polyphemus while flinging rocks at Odysseus. Or by underwater volcanoes. Depends on which story you like better, really.) The reality: we're ready to hit the road around noon (hey, we're still kind of sick) so we cancel our appointment with the professor and make it to the bus station just in time to miss the 12:30 to Siracusa. (The bus left about three minutes early. We've figured this one out, now. The bus driver opens the door about five minutes before the scheduled departure time. People waiting outside of the bus board with their tickets and take their seats. When everyone is on board, the driver leaves. Even if that's ahead of schedule. Even if two Americans named Chris have just bought their tickets and are walking up to the bus at around 12:28. Those two guys will just have to wait for the 1:30. Or 1:27. However it works out.)
A lot of walking and not a ton of time in Siracusa. Seen: greek theater (amazing), ear of dionysus (amazing), roman amphitheater (kind of cool). A very quick jaunt to spend a few minutes over on the island of Ortigia, then catch the last bus back at 7:00. There was still a lot yet to see: tomb of Archimedes, archaeological museum, papyrus museum(?), cathedral (interesting architecturally because it incorporates the Greek temple it replaced), a couple of temples, 1st century Christian catacombs, most of Ortigia, including boat tours, where it would've been nice to just to spend some time chilling out. I could easily spend an entire day in Siracusa/Ortigia, if not two.
Dinner, email, blog, bed.
