Sunday 19 May -  Palermo
It was exciting to meet with our group and guide last night. This morning we were relieved to be able to board our coach and start to soak up the wonderful commentary provided by one of the Sicilian women involved in over-throwing the power of the Mafia gang. She is such a highly educated woman.
First we drove to Monreale to visit the 12th century Norman Cathedral famous for its 15240 square meters of precious byzantine mosaics. The organ is the largest in Europe with its 1080 pipes. May is the popular month for Sicilian children to take their first communion so we were fortunate enough to witness proud families arriving with their youngsters dressed all in white. We had to leave before the service started but then we drove back into the capital with its population of 1 million to the magnificent Cathedral which allowed tourists into the spectacular communion service with its up-lifting choral tributes. It was packed with adoring families gathered together for this festive occasion for which the dress code was straight from Milan.
It was so interesting to be driven around the inner City CBD which we had visited, but this time with the accompanying commentary. And that is why we pay thousands more dollars to understand the countries we have chosen to visit. So rewarding.
We gathered in the baroque Church of Immacolata where our guide felt safe revealing the part she is playing in the struggle to crack the Mafia. Particularly interesting  to me Josephine after completing the literature you recommended. Thank you.
By then we were back in the Capo Market which we found so challenging on our first day in this country. After wandering through a little of it we gathered at tables set aside for us to experience authentic Sicillian specialties such as panelle, arancini and cannoli, all washed down with red and white wine of course. A splendid Sunday lunch.
The rest of the group is being taken to a banquet in a Royal household  tonight, but we opted out and went instead for a tour of the Teatro Massimo, the Opera House we have walked past so often but not been inside. Tonight we are still hoping to experience the Puppet Theatre.
I am so very sorry that my Facebook photos are not reaching you. I have put a couple on Instagram and Peter is tagging some of my friends on his fb entries which are in perfect working order. I must have pushed something as I am neither sending or receiving emails. Gmail is all I can use. Only a techie geek would be able to retrieve the access for me.