Sicily

I am in Catania Sicily!

I flew in last night from Napoli. I was supposed to stay here with a family, however, we had a communication breakdown...which left me unable to get a hold of them and with no where to go. Thankfully, another couchsurfer named Ryan had told me that if I got in a bind he would help me out. I took him up on his offer and he has been absolutely AWESOME! I have definitely made a new friend for life!!!

I called Ryan from the airport at 6:30 but he had to work until 10:00 so he had his buddy Tyler come pick me up and take me to his place. Tyler and I hung for a couple of hours and then Jim and Ryan joined us. The four of us went to a pizza restaurant where my dinner (which was supposed to be just meat & cheese) came out as meat and cheese in fried bread! LOL We ordered my food again, enjoyed a couple bottles of vino rosso (red wine), and they told me stories from their weekend in Roma.

Ryan, Jim, and Tyler are all Navy guys based in Catania. Ryan just re-enlisted for another 5 years and had his ceremony inside of the Colleseo last weekend. The guys told me that today the three of them are going to get tattoos of the date (January 31, 2009) in roman numerals. It immediately stuck me that I must have this tattoo as well!

2009 is my year to follow all the amazing/adventurous/monumental things that I have written on a to-do list. Guess whats on the list? Get a "random tattoo that will always make me smile"! I am so stoked right now...my heart is telling me that this is the most perfect thing EVER!

Ryan is getting his on his ankle, that seems to be a good place for me too, except I am going to have mine stacked (his will wrap around) and I am also going to have the outline of Italy. So when it is all said and done, I will have the date inside of the country on the inside of my right ankle. Italy has been such a mind blowing, eye opening, amazing experience for me and I am not even half way done with my trip. This tattoo is perfect because I LOVE ITALIA!!!!!

(I know what your thinking Dad! I hear your voice in my head saying: GOD ALMIGHTY!!!!! WHY?!?! But it will be ok Dad, I promise!!!) ;)

Sicily is fantastic! Today, Ryan took me downtown where we watched a parade for the St. Agatha festival, took pictures of the elephant square, ate cotton candy and bloody oranges, and watched butchers slice up meat. Ryan had to go to work but left me with his cell so he can track me down when he gets off. I am so content just wondering the streets alone...have I mentioned yet that I LOVE IT HERE!?!?!

Today, I am wearing Barrys t-shirt. Barry stuck it in my pack while in Roma and later sent me an email telling me I must wear it, have wild adventures, and then send him pictures. So I have my game face on today...I will spend the next several hours wondering the streets without a map, tonight Im getting my random tattoo, and then Ryan and I are going to hit the town. Who knows where else this adventure is going to take me or what else I can possibly get myself into...but I just have this one thing say: BRING IT! LOL

Oh ps: Clothes!!!

Let me make a couple of comments about my clothes.

1. I am living out of a backpack so I literally have a total of 6 total shirts that I can wear, assuming they are even clean and/or appropriate for the day...
2. No one has a dryer and I only get to wash my clothes every couple of days, so my pants get really baggy from both the wear and the lack of heat. I mean really, really, baggy. I am pretty much a dirty hippie (complete with the same coat and beanie hat) everyday! LOL
3. I am not a clothes person. While I do like to look nice and feel its generally important, I dont know much about fashion. However...there are times when the fact that I look like a slob constantly and am in the same slobby clothes that makes me want to cry!!! I am so ready to wear something different and feel pretty!!!!

So tonight...I am so excited that because Ryan has a DRYER, I will get to go out wearing both tight jeans and put on my heels! I might even be able to straighten my hair! WAHOOO! This is monumental! :)