Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Catania, Sicilia (Italy)
This was probably the most restless night of sleep I've had in a long time. I must have been wide awake three different times - but I managed to get back to sleep each time. Circadian clocks aren't always cooperative... Had breakfast at the Galley and then walked over to the hangar (0730). Our inspection started soon after - but none of my "inspectees" were available. I managed to cobble together some work (one inspection element & stuff I brought from home). Skipped lunch when Jim showed up (landed from a flight). Around 1400L, Pat and Keith decided to head up to Caleca (kind of surprising, since it is pretty far away). It became obvious that I wouldn't accomplish much more, so I went back to my room at the NAS Sigonella Navy Gateway Inn. Attempted to access the Business Center but found they had really changed things (so bad, in fact, that DSL doesn't work at all). Gave up and went to the gym for about an hour. Afterwards, played some video games. Started to get calls from everyone around 1700L - "we'll be going to dinner at ___" (time kept moving to the right). Eventually, Jim and Joe were the only ones who showed up at the car for our drive into Catania - everyone else was scattered around the island. Fortunately, we all were able to meet most of them at the Medusa Pub around 2030L. Andy drove our 10 passenger rental van into the heart of Catania - something, I confess, I have never done (nor wanted to). Still, we found an area of town that was much higher end than I remember. Jim and his family/neighbors had been talking about the restaurant (Yoghi and Booboo) when I was here last month - but I didn't think I would end up going. It was very American - more like a steakhouse than anything I've ever seen in Sicily. We were treated very rudely by the staff (also unusual) and didn't even get our order in until 2200L. As a result, we were still eating by 2330... I had a pizza and it wasn't too bad (cost about three times as much as the Farmhouse, Paradiso, Donna Fortunata). We made it back to our hotel after midnight and I fell right to sleep.