Messina, Sicily- July 17

Early in the morning we sailed into Messina, Sicily. We were just to be in port for 5 hours so the touring

people were off early to travel the curvy roads to see Mt. Etna and the remains of the major volcanic

eruptions. There are more than 250 vents and craters on the side of the mountain. In the winter this is a popular skiing spot.

Greek Mythology is peppered with many mentions of Messina. According to ancient tales, Scylla and Carybdis threatened valiant Oddysseus at the Strait of Messina- the narrow point of passage between the island of Sicily and the toe of the boot of Italy. Hercules swam across the almost 2 mile wide channel and Jason and his Argonauts visited while pursuing the elusive Golden Fleece. Even Romans, who were uneasy sailors, used the port as a tactical base and grain storehouse.

Greek explorers established a Messina settlement in the 8^th century BC atop the ruins of an earlier community. The first name of the port was Zancle (sickle) because of the natural shape of the harbor. It was later renamed after a Greek city that had been destroyed. The area, because of its strategic location was ruled by Greeks, Romans, French, Germans, and Saracens.

Rising above the roof lines in the port you can see the beautiful Cathedral Annunziata dei Catalani which dates back to the Norman period. The city is busy and features many high-rise apartments packed up the hill. The city has 250,000 citizens and lies on the tip of Sicily at the channel between Sicily and Italy. We sailed through a stretch of water as we came back into the main part of the Mediterranean that was really churned up and dangerous for swimming.

Our travelers returned a bit weary and we sailed once again through the Straits of Messina and then by the volcano Stromboli. The volcano was again spitting out clouds of smoke and rocks. Down one side a lava flow all the way down to the sea could be seen. The small town we saw before has 250 people living there. Occasionally you could hear and smell the activity of Stromboli. Still cannot imagine why anyone would want to do that.

We are all trying not to feel too smug about all those folks who are busying themselves with packing and we don’t have to……yet. In another 10 days we’ll be just like they are-getting ready to return home. BUT meanwhile we had a great dinner together!