Sicily: Monreale

Adam asked where we should go after the business in Amsterdam. We threw around a couple of places and decided it would be Sicily! We were all so excited and so we booked our tickets and off to the western side of Sicily we went. After flying into Palermo we rented our car and Adam bravely became the "Alpha-dominant male" by driving like a local Sicilian. Seriously, we braved Utah drivers, we braved Arch De Triumph drivers (Paris, and screaming on my behalf), and just to add another notch under his belt...we survived Sicilian drivers. It is a whole world of it's own. To be honest, when we rented the car the woman told Adam "Dont worry about the scratches, it's Sicliy!" She wasnt kidding....I NEVER came across a car without at least one scratch if not some major damage to the body. Most cars have their side mirrors turned in all the way or completely removed. Tight, narrow streets. Pushy drivers. missing lines on the road. Get it?
ps. I did get sweaty palms and yes, I am SO grateful for an ambitious, alpha male hubby. Phew!
First stop was a city named "Monreale". It is perched right in the slope of gorgeous Monte Caputo, and is known for the Cathedral. Since the cathedral wasnt open until after lunch we decided to tour the small streets.
Our first Sicilian meal, pizza! Much to our surprise it is not like other Italian pizza we are used to. Roman pizza: thin and delicious! Sicilian pizza: thick and so-so. Can you tell? hehe....

These market stalls lined the street. We devoured the grapes :)

Happy Ron and Helen:

The view from Monreale looking back over Palermo:

This amazing cathedral was begun in 1174 and is known as one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture. The main interior is all done in mosaic tiles, each laid by hand, and each brightly colored piece is part of a story laid against a gold backdrop. The cathedral was glowing gold! There is over 2,200 Kilos of gold in this cathedral! It was interesting too to see the Arabic architecture throughout the cathedral but also catching Oriental and Roman influences. Almost like 3 completely seperate parts of the church. Here are a few of the photos from the inside:




I love this pic! So stinkin' cute! Isnt it?

And off we went to find another adventure......