Patti, Sicilia (Italy)

Chuck had told us he wanted to go to the Caleca Factory this morning - it was tough to get up in time (tired from yesterday). Got some cash and changed it to Euros and made a few phone calls. By 0900L we were on the road. Made pretty good time up the autostrada to Catania - then in a traffic jam near Taormina. After that, we had no problems getting through Messina and over to Patti. Things hadn't changed at all since my last visit (see OCT 2007). It was Craig's first visit, but Chuck and I were on a mission to add a few more items to our wives' pottery collection. I didn't get a lot - wasn't sure how I could get it home. Spent about an hour there and then headed down to the Patti Marina. This is actually the first time I've been there - usually I head over to Tindari. We found a quiet cafe on the beach (no other customers when we rolled in around 1300L). The kitchen for the place was across a busy street - and we had fun watching the waiter/waitress run across with trays... Had a pretty good lunch in the shade with a nice ocean breeze. It got really busy as we finished - lots of rowdy summer folks. It is now the height of the Faragosta for the Italians (vacation). Headed back around 1400 - using the mountain route. It was my third or fourth time going that way - but this time we had a GPS. It was funny to watch it try to keep up with the busy, curving roads in the mountains - I missed plenty of supposed turns but the GPS always corrected to a more direct and main road. It wanted us to use alleyways almost every time... I don't like the "help" it offers, actually - my maps are just fine! Made it back to the NAS Sigonella Navy Gateway Inn by around 1630L. Got some email work done and prepped for tomorrow's flight. Had dinner at the Galley and then cleaned up in the room. Several folks were having a party in the gazebo below my room - I joined them around 2030 and stayed until 2230. Started watching this movie called "The Spanish Prisoner" and wasted quite awhile before I realized it wasn't any good. Got to sleep late...