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Mercati

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Today should've been my housecleaning day, but my prediction on getting Ettore's cold came true. I'm beat. Therefore, a cat bath vs a shower, as the thought of getting wet sounded awful. I did the ever-demanding laundry, then off to the Wednesday market for a suitcase. Joe hung out at home. I found nearly everything I came to the market for. One vendor had a cheap €1 pair of silver hoops to replace the ones that got lost at the vigne . There were lots of kids' art project materials, but I got sick of trying to get the vendor's attention, as he was deep into conversation with the vendor next to him. Hit the Chinese store later; I made a mental note. Then, as I was admiring purses, I saw a suitcase the next stall over that could work for sending home my things. I wasn't going to pay more than €30 for it. The vendor said €45, and I politely thanked him and turned away. He stopped me, saying he'd take out the suitcase inside the suitcase, and sell it to me for j
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Catania Day, Party Night

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Bella Catania! I love a big city, and this one has it all--from the fish market where you step around smelly puddles, to the tony streets lined with high-end fashion houses; modern glass structures and countless roundabouts hug the areas around archeological excavations; gray and cream versions of gingerbread churches, and elephant motifs. The lungomare . The sea. Restaurant food, street food, tourist food, locals' food, palazzi, Villa Bellini park, and one big-ass castle. If you don't love Catania, you haven't looked at it with open eyes. Fish market vendor Parking spot location Basilica Lavica and tufa mosaics Archeological excavations right in the roundabout  Mirrored pattern of archways We took a parking spot where we could, noted the nearby address, and walked 15 minutes to the fish market, just for sensory overload. I was ready for oysters. Fish market Meat too Lamb for sale Waterfall fountain between piazza  and fish market  View from piazza  On to Wine & Charme.
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Bronte by surprise

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With a late start to the morning, and nothing to rush for, I lounged around until nearly 9:00, applying a deep conditioner to my hair and gathering some laundry to wash. Joe came down to shower as I was finishing up.  Going upstairs, I first went to the balcony to gather my air-dried clothing from yesterday. As I was folding it, I heard Elena. "Kahren, you are here?" she asked, coming into the kitchen, cell phone at her ear, and looking cute, as always. "Sara is on the phone. You want to go to Bronte in a half hour?" As I've said: Always be ready! "Sure!" We met Sara and her boyfriend Cesare at the front door, Sara dressed in a cute knit ensemble and boots. We're meeting Cesare for the first time; he lives in Salento (Puglia), and the two are making this long-distance relationship work. As we were driving to Bronte, I watched him gently and lovingly tap her nose or caress her cheek whenever he laughed at something she said. They're cute. I had
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