I had already been given some directions on how to enter the apartment (most apartments are on booking.com and hosted by private hosts, i.e. very similar to AirBnB type accommodation). The hosts lots of the time are not on site and provide codes to get into the property or into a key safe containing the keys to the apartment. So I went to see if the keys were in the key safe for today's accommodation, even though we were very early. By chance the host was there and asked me if I was looking for Bolano House, which I was. After much sign language and some Google translate I worked out that we couldn't check in until 17:00, but he gave me the keys straight away. So we drove in closer to the centro storico (Old Town), parked before the streets began getting too narrow and started exploring.
It turned out that our park was almost 3 kilometres from the centre, so it was a good walk in, and being Saturday morning we came across a huge market underway. We spent about 2 hours there, the market had everything ! e.g. Vegies, street food, meat, fish, clothes, second hand goods and clothing, shoes, homewares, hardware, cosmetics, bags, lingerie, on the spot sewing alteration services etc. etc. The hardware put us in a search for a wheel for Tania's suitcase and we eventually found a luggage repair shop nearby and luckily we purchased a new wheel. Hopefuly it will fit.
From here we headed more into the Old Town and found another fish market area that was buzzing with people. After exploring more back streets, we had dinner in town before heading back to our apartment.
Guiseppe our host was there to meet us. This particular apartment had three bedrooms, ours had a private bathroom, but there was a share bathroom for the other 2 rooms, and a share kitchem for all rooms. Guiseppe uses one of the rooms as his own as he works as an engineer here in Catania, but his home and family is 20 kilometres away. Anyway, we had a lengthy chat with Guiseppe via Google Translate for about an hour, did a lot of laughing and covered a number of subjects.
I see ‘Socks’.
Phew – the luggage has (possibly) been fixed, if the wheel fitted.
Look at you two – private bathroom and all.
your days are so full!
I love seeing those umbrellas. Your banner photo is gorgeous. And a market!! I’d be needing a new case not just a wheel.