Exploring Siricusa

 There was a lovely little outdoor market very close to our hotel that I decided to visit this morning.  Being so close to the ocean, there was plenty of very fresh fish available.  The produce was also very fresh and enticing.  I returned with a bag filled with strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and a very random red pepper.  I just couldn't resist!



Midmorning, a local guide led us on a tour of the island.  There's remnants of ancient cultures along our walk to the Duomo.  Once we reached the church, we watched the activity in the large square in front.  There were a couple of school groups that gathered on the steps before going in for a visit.  The Duomo had been through several transitions with older columns exposed to show what had been there in previous cultures.  The current church likes like other catholic churches in Italy.  



We had some time before lunch to explore the side streets.  We noticed what looked to be a workshop for puppets and started talking to the shopkeeper who invited us in for a closer look.  This shop makes clothes for the puppets.  He showed us some of the costumes that are used in the puppet theatre nearby.  There was a photo in the shop of the puppet makers.  One of the owners was unable to hold up the heavy wooden puppets because he only had one arm.  This lead to them making parts of the puppets out of paper mâché which makes them much lighter.  A was a different look at the puppet tradition in Sicily.







It was time for lunch and we all met on the patio at Il Club nearby.  I was so happy to see a salad that I ate more than I needed since it was followed with an unexpected sandwich.  These multicourse meals are leaving me very full!

After a walk back to the hotel we met for an afternoon of critiques.  Joe reviewed the twenty or photos we each submitted offering suggestions of what was working and what wasn't.  

We walked to a nearby restaurant for dinner which was unremarkable.  However, we found a lovely gelato place that made for a great end to the evening.

Tomorrow: An ancient quarry 

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