HERE A TEMPLE, THERE A TEMPLE

     They seem to be everywhere in Sicily, these old Greek temples, like the drug stores on every corner in Tucson. The one today was in Segesta (5th Century BCE). It is one of the

best preserved in all Italy, possibly because it was never finished. Someone invaded the area before it was completed, so it began life as a kind of ruin, and that must have kept it preserved untouched for 2500 years. Our visit, being in spring, was enhanced by fields of wild flowers: those yellow ones that are most prominent everywhere, some poppies, and lots of purple thistle. (Try saying “thistle in Sicily” three times, rapidly. Betcha can't.)

We drove all this way, and climbed up here, for this?

Bob was particularly impressed with yet another ruin of a temple.

      The Segesta temple is beautifully sited on a hill top with lots of splendid views, but further up is a Greek (then Roman) amphitheater, which is still used in the summer. Like most such amphitheaters, it has an amazing view beyond the stage area—not as dramatic as the one in Taormina with Etna as a backdrop, but still impressive. You have to wonder how those ancient actors managed to compete with the scenery.

But Stew was anxious to give it a try by watching some modern day tragedy.

      Okay, so we took the bus up to the amphitheater instead of walking the scenic mile or so up . It was only 1.5 Euros each, and the day was hot. We went from sweltering (there) to being chilly in the sea breeze back here in Castellammare, where we did go for a short stroll, walked through a small park where we found not only red, but also purple poppies (?), took another selfie with the Norman castle in the background, and finally visited the castle itself which was free. And rightly so.