Rome and Points South

Christmas Day

In future I will research the distance and direction to my hotel from the station. Last night I got a taxi which cost me ten euros for what I discovered was a five minute walk. It seems we went round in circles to get there.

Leaving Rome the thing that struck me were the ancient aqueducts leading out of the city, obviously these were along the railroad tracks, and much of their length in ruins, stone probably taken for other newer buildings. It would however be interesting to see how many were necessary to supply the city in at its ancient heyday. Unfortunately I was unable to get a picture of the aqueducts.

Southern Italy and Sicily

Lots of agriculture, small holdings, vineyards, crops being grown under plastic. The land here looks quite dry, rocky hillsides without much soil. Perhaps is has washed down to the valleys. Plains interspersed with low hills, hills which show no sign of ever being terraced.

The landscape grown more tropical, palms interspersed with more sub-tropical species. It is nice to see that some of this area is quite wooded. I can just see the ocean, we are going south on the west side of the country. Small towns, built up the sides of hills in some places, and not very developed, which perhaps is good. I am sure though that there has been a outflow of the younger generation to the cities. However there may be a way to attract the retiring generation back to the countryside and re-establish an agricultural workforce. Al that would be needed is a training cadre. There is a very old penchant for building towns also solely on hill tops, a good defensive posture through history.

Peaceful Mediterranean

Compared to flying train travel is so much more relaxing. One can walk to the station is the city centre, one sees the countryside which gives you an understanding of the history, culture and challenges ahead. It allows your mind to keep pace with your body.

 

14:11 Leaving Napoli.

The train seems to have filled up here. We are heading east and are taking the route down west coast. Now south-west through a really long tunnel. Now out of the tunnel and at Salerno. We are going through tunnels like a needle through cloth, in and out, in and out.

Rocky Hillsides Abound

Lots of what appears to be low income housing. I suppose in a catholic country this is to be expected. I wonder what the birth rate is, and is it at this point rising or falling?

Further south small traditional hilltop villages all the houses crowded together on the top of the tallest rock overlooking the ocean. Certainly an old security tradition, but I wonder if it is also a forgotten memory of tsunamis?

The sunset here this evening is something like a painting of a sunset, muted pastel colours that don't look real.

Siracusa

So now we are about to take the boat-train across the Straights of Messina. With very little fuss we rolled onto the ferry, with another train alongside of us on the deck and off we went. I am sure this is a much practiced and every day occurrence to crew but it was my first time. I believe that coaches one through four head for Siracusa when we land and the other section heads else where on Sicily.

Later this morning I will drive to Pozzallo from where I take the ferry to Malta on the 28th. I will spend a day and a half there doing some writing and staying stationary for a time. Since I left London on the 22 December 2012 I have travelled 1,673.5 miles. After the cold of Venezia and as much as I enjoyed it the temperature here in Siracusa is a pleasant 16c.