January 7, 1995

Dear Mom:

...The train ride from Rome to Sicily was fairly uneventful - with the exception of my late-night male visitor, who decided he could sneak into my first-class car and stretch out on the bench across from me…..staring at me with wide eyes and unwilling to leave the car. Though the conductor finally ousted my unwanted visitor on one of his regimental late night checks, I nonetheless arrived exhausted when we reached the Siracusa port. Fortunately, the weather was our alarm clock - rejuvenating our energy throughout the day as we admired the architecture in Palermo - finding beauty in the magnificent dilapidation.

It was Fiona’s idea to go to Agrigento. Incredible! Two hours south of Palermo in Sicily, Agrigento is the home of Valle dei Templi….adorned with five well-preserved Greek remains built during 5th Century B.C. The day was stormy, and the ‘local’ bus ride was grueling. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a parting of the clouds and bursts of sunlight, offering selective illumination to parts of the faraway town. The ruins, contrasted with distant civilization, made for breathtaking images...

Love, Anne