After Amit dropped us off at Nice Airport the next morning, we caught our discount airline flight to Palermo, the largest city on the southern Italian island of Sicily. Our descent into Palermo was among the most spectacular we have ever undertaken, with jarring volcanic peaks hovering near vivid aqua coasts. Upon landing and collecting our bags, we took an airport shuttle bus to Palermo’s central station. A 20-minte walk later, we found ourselves in front of our serviceable business hotel located in the heart of the smokestained old city, mere spitting distance from the Quattro Canti.After dropping off our bags, Kaberi promptly whisked us out of the hotel to see the four different cathedrals located on each of the four corners of the nearby Piazza Pretoria. Afterward, we commenced a wild goose chase for the newest edition of the Rough Guide to Italy (Amit had lent us his seventh edition in case the eighth edition proved elusive). After visiting five bookstores and traipsing halfway across town, we were finally successful in locating a copy for Kaberi to add to her burgeoning guide book collection. Immediately putting the new purchase to good use, Kaberi found a place that specialized in authentic Sicilian pizzas (much to Vik’s excitement) and Sicilian red wines.
The next morning, we walked west to the massive Catedrale, a majestic, green-domed structure with a cold and sparse interior. After a quick perusal, we moved on to Porta Nuova. After a short stroll, we arrived at Palazzo dei Normanni, the former royal palace now serving as the official house of the Sicilian parliament. Despite an ongoing renovation, we were still able to admire beautiful mosaic frescos and the building’s centerpiece, a gold-painted royal chapel.
Choosing a longer return route, we took in the bustling and malodorous local wet market before deciding upon another Rough Guide recommended lunch spot nearby. Unfortunately, the small hole-in-the-wall restaurant (with us as its only lunchtime patrons) produced a decidedly-mediocre meal, the lowlight of which was an undrinkable amber-colored house wine dispensed from a water cooler. Regrouping, we walked east toward Palermo’s main commercial district to find some respectable compensatory gelato.
We then made the short walk back to our hotel. After collecting our bags, we discovered that the Internet café across the street was shuttered. Taking pity on us, the kindly front desk manager gave us access to the hotel’s office computer. In short order, we were making the best use of our time and managed to finalize our Tanzania travel arrangements four weeks hence. With an hour remaining before we were due to return to the airport to meet one of Vik’s oldest friends, we settled into plush leather lobby chairs. As Kaberi caught up in her journal, Vik (like a typical Sicilian) closed his eyes and soon began an indulgent afternoon nap.
