Sicily: Some Success, Some Failures

On the plus side, Christopher's telephone works to call both Italy and Canada. On the minus side we were totally unsuccessful getting Christopher a permit to sojourn in Italy. Those who have travelled to the EU (or more technically, the Schengen Zone) know that 90 days is the maximum stay. You don't get another 90 days by leaving and coming back. That 90 days is within a 6 month period. Anyway, we knew this, so Christopher was all set to get an Italian visa while we were still in Canada. The forceful consulate official informed him (I wasn't there, or I think it might have gone differently) that she would not issue a visa because all that was required was for us to present ourselves with our passports (my UK one, Christopher's Canadian one) and our marriage certificate at the questura (local  police). Not so much.

First we tried in Castelmare del Golfo. Not the right town. We are in Balestrate. So the next day, we went to Balestrate - but we were too late because the office is only open from 9:30 am until noon. Today we got up early and headed to Balestrate. There was a bit of difficulty because the local builder's truck had backed into a gal's house and wrecked the stone doorway. That required most of the police force to examine, re-create and direct traffic around. Those left behind were helpful to a point. We just simply don't have the right words, nor the right language to express what we need. I hope and pray we do have the right paper work! In the end, this really is a first world problem. We have a wonderful home for the next month, good food, fabulous weather, the sea at our door step.

On our evening walk at the bottom of our street we found a genuine jockey with a beautiful race horse, both of them all decked out in their finery. Where else but Italy? We also discovered after a lovely stroll along the waterfront a secluded little bar, right on the sea. I deeply regretted leaving the house without cash!