Palermo and a Visit with Carmelo....

     We always enjoy returning to Palermo to see our friend Carmelo, his wife Rosaria, and son Sergio.  We met Carmelo many years ago through our passion for Alfa Romeo Sports Cars.  We arrived late on a Tuesday evening at the Palermo airport, and Carmelo was there waiting for us with hugs, kisses, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers for Chris.  He took us to our B&B at Palazzo Benso, and explained to the owner of our love for Sicily, and our interest in classic cars, and the legendary Targa Florio car race.  The owner, Germano Pucci, then said that his uncle had won that race in 1964, driving a Porsche!  His uncle was Antonio Pucci, a wealthy sportsman of nobility, and was known as the "Flying Baron".  Germano then said he had a gift for us, and gave us a book on the history of the Targa Florio race.  It is so heartwarming to experience the warmth, kindness, and generosity of the people of Sicily....

     B&B Palazzo Benso is in an old mansion in the heart of Palermo.  The ceiling in our room was incredible, with its fresco and Murano glass chandelier....

     Germano is a collector of antique ceramic tiles.  Many of them were framed and hung throughout the B&B.  This one was in our room....

     Carmelo left us with more hugs and kisses, and a promise to return the next day for a walking tour of the famous street markets of Palermo.  As promised, he arrived late the next morning, and we set off for the Capo and Ballero' markets, and as it turns out, a couple of surprises....

Scooters dodge pedestrians and vice versa at the Capo market....

   
     

     As we strolled through the Capo market, Carmelo suggested we step inside the Church of the Immaculate Conception.  The church dates to 1612....

     Walking through the market you would never notice the church, as the exterior is very plain, and similar to surrounding buildings.  But when you step inside....it explodes with over-the-top Sicilian Baroque splendor....

     Carmelo explaining how this statue is carried through the streets on the shoulders of many men....

   
     As we exited the church, we stopped at a typical Sicilian cart for a Spremuta di Arancia Rossa.... orange juice made from blood oranges.  It was delicious....

     Our walk continued toward the Ballero' market, passing by the famous Pretoria Fountain at Quattro Canti (Four Corners), the crossroads of Palermo.  The fountain was created in the 1550s in Florence, then was transferred to Palermo and assembled at the current site in 1581....

   
     On the way to Ballero' we passed Piazza Ponticello.  The sign for the piazza, written in Italian, Hebrew, and Arabic, speaks to the many cultures that have ruled this place....

     We finally arrived at the Ballero' market, which was a bit sketchier than Capo, and we didn't take photos.  As our walking tour continued, Carmelo offered  many interesting historical facts about Palermo.  Finally arriving back at our B&B, and with a promise from Carmelo to pick us up at 8 pm for dinner with his family, we settled down for well-deserved rest.  

   Carmelo drove the five of us to a restaurant called Savoy Fish Restaurant in Isola delle Femmine.  The food and the service were excellent.  Interestingly, this little town was the home of New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio.  Although "Joltin' Joe" was born in California, he visited here many times....

     The next morning we checked out of the B&B and picked up a rental car at one of the Palermo train stations.  It was a short but very sweet visit to Palermo, and spending time with Carmelo and family made it all the sweeter.

     Next stop...The Lemon Tree and Taormina for four weeks.

     Click on any photo to enlarge....