We had arranged to meet up with our Canadian friends Pat and Penny and also scooped up Jan, whose husband Tom had gone solo to see the Catacombs. After a leisurely breakfast, we all set off for a wander around the streets of Palermo. None of us knew anything about the city or how long it would take to walk from the port to the centre, so we shared a cab, turned out to be a rip off I think. But we were dropped in the centre of town a block from a huge gathering, a lot of noise and plenty of police presence. Turns out there was a large rally/protest about education - not enough funding, poorly run schools etc from what I could gather. I think it was high school, the kids looked about 15/16/17. Lots of support from the faculty too; I did try and get some info from one of them and also picked up a flyer, but my Italian translational ability is not so good lol. But it was quite exciting, for me at least; I tried my hand at some photojournalistic shots, but really didn't end up with anything flash. My zoom lens attracted a bit of attention though, Maybe I was a reporter and not a tourist for a minute haha.
(These dudes asked for the photo to be taken ... Then said to put it on FB!)
Actually that was the best thing about today; we finally got an idea of daily life in an Italian city as opposed to being part of a huge pack of tourists taking over an Italian city. When we were in Rome it was said that there was something like 3.5 million residents plus 1.5 million tourists in peak season (figures may be wrong but the ratio is correct I believe). In Palermo I felt like a visitor not an invader.
I love the Italian style. People know how to dress, how to present themselves as individuals; they make an impression and look smart. I would have loved to sit on a street corner with my camera and steal portraits, but there is no time to indulge such whimsy when in fast-track holiday mode.
After a late lunch in the square, we made our way back for a Nana nap. This evening was out third formal, and Mum and I joined up with 3 other kiwi couples - Jan and Tom, Andrew and Maxine and Michelle and Wayne (whom we only met today), for dinner. It was an was easy evening talking amongst ourselves like old friends, quite different to making conversation with complete strangers.
Tomorrow we are in Cagliari, Sardinia, our replacement stop for Tunisia. I am still disappointed that our itinerary has been changed, and that I don't get to dip my toes into Africa. My understanding is that the safeguard is largely because the cruise company is American, and the majority of passengers on board are also American. Actually the tone of the ship has changed this half of the cruise since we got a pack of newbies; a different sector of people it would seem, and less cultural variation with a greater density of Americans. I'm constantly amazed by the number of cruises some people take... Not sure if it's an urban myth, but rumour has it there is at least one person 'living' on the Noordam.
I leave you with a photo of my favourite towel art creation of the cruise so far. I've been hanging for the monkey, no pun intended!
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