Catania.

The very first place we visited post quarantine was the Piazza Carlo Alberto market, followed by the Pescheria (Fish Market) in Elephant Square on a early Saturday morning with new friends… The Markets were something I have dreamed of since we first found out Sicily would be our new Home. I imagined brick and cobbled old streets, lined with booths of fresh produce and spices and breads, freshly washed laundry hanging from tiny terraces above… Architecture and birds and the sounds of the incredible language shouting from vendor to vendor…. It was just as I imagined, aside from the trash, but thats another discussion.

Driving into the Catania was an adventure in its own, as the city is bustling even at 7:30 AM on the weekends… It was maybe my first REAL feeling of “we are no longer in Japan friends” as we have been told by everyone we have met- Driving here is nuts. Im sure we will get used to it, but I am so thankful Andrew seems at ease, where Im a basket case! We parked in a garage by the first market Here then moved to a lot by Duomo (Elephant) Square Here- both were pretty simple, and if you use the Apps Parkopedia or Easy Park (any local parking apps really) you can probably find simple parking.

For this first Go, we only brought Madi… She had to spend her 17th Birthday at 40,000 feet on day 2 of travel, so we found it only fitting that we try and have some time with just her, doing something more her style… She LOVED it. From the culture wrapping around us to the foods and flowers lining alley ways. She helped me buy loaves of fresh baked bread from the most darling woman, ate mini strawberries sampled from so many stands- bought a cactus- We walked arm in arm sharing a caramel almond toffee that was just ridiculous…. It was a really good morning.

Although I havent fully fallen in love with Italy yet, I know that I will…. I have had such a hard time letting Japan go, well really just tucking her away in my soul to make room for this new Chapter, that I havent been fully open hearted to this foreign place. But the eats, the architecture, the language, its intoxicating…. So there is hope! ;)

Entering Duomo Square- we spent a short time here visiting the Protector of the City, St Agatha. Her festival had been cancelled this year due to Covid, but would normally have brought almost a million people into the city… The Square and its beauty date back to the Romans, and the history here in undeniable. I honestly just took in the AWE of it all the best I could on this first trip…. I know it will be a place we visit regularly!

Just past the Fountain, you enter the Fish Market- Follow along the street into the “Tourist Market”- more produce and meat, but also fire roasted artichokes and peppers… The prices here are a bit higher then the Alberto market which gears more towards the locals ;)

Today we hope to head out to the Markets with all the kids, as it is one of the only things we are allowed to do now that we are back in a semi-lockdown status…. Until next time friends, xoxo

Markets in Catania....