Day 18 Catania 0 km

Got up early and met at breakfast Ariana (hope the name is right, the young lady talks (very quickly) about himself in the 3rd person), who grew up in Germany (near Düsseldorf) and is back in Italy for 7 years. A gastro child, has already worked everywhere. She left Germany because everyone there stubbornly follows the rules. From Italy she wants to leave again, because no one follows the rules. I was splendidly entertained. So young ladies all want to leave Italy. When I look in the cafes in the morning I could also guess why. The old white patriarchy is still strong here and smoking is everywhere. In any case, she said, Etna I can forget today, it will pour, that also said my app, a second opinion was important to me. But maybe we used the same app, which predicted 80% chance of rain at noon. Meanwhile, I interpret that as following: it rains in any case, with 80% rain strength (met yesterday with 90% really good). Today, however, until noon nothing, not a drop. Great! Set only with break-in of the darkness (with 80% strength, thus violently). That meant I stayed in Catania and what can I say, I had run the whole thing pretty fast, twice. It's not that it was particularly comfortable outside, or exciting. Even the churches I have looked at, was drinking coffee, to the sea I also did not come. There is first the train and then the port in between. And the saddest thing, I have not yet seen Mount Etna. It is hidden behind clouds. Even the webcam at 2000 meters altitude (cable car station) shows only cloud. The weather app says snowfall and -11°C. Maybe it's a good thing that I didn't drive and looked around here in the city. It is so that I always like not to look/visit something, just to have an excuse to have to come back again. This time it's the damn volcano. Catania itself is a city that was designed on a drawing board after it was destroyed by the volcano (several times). It is laid out in a square and, as is usual in Sicily, the facades are quite dilapidated, but the interiors are very beautiful. Why do the statues all have no heads? I don't know, but I assume they are hanging in the fancy renovated living rooms. The stores here are also open on Sundays, at least the clothing stores and even tourists can be found here. And everywhere it smells of weed & fish, so like in Amsterdam. Think on the streets you get quite a lot, is also rather a port city. And the old town looks as if you go here to celebrate. For tomorrow, the weather forecasts say different. The one sun and 11°C, the other light rain and 8°C. I take it so now: the weather will be as it will. Pull me warmly and have the rain things ready. Tomorrow it goes on, whether immediately completely through or only half, I will decide tomorrow spontaneously. That was it for today, laundry is also dry now. Good night and Mr. Putin, please surprise us and end this senseless war. Thank you.

P.S.: Ariana meant, do not come in August, that is it full and hot. September is better, although on August 14 everyone meets and goes to the beach, make fire and celebrate.