[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

The island of Ortigia is a natural southern extension of Siracusa. I don’t know anything about its history other than that a gaggle of Greeks romped around on it a few thousand years ago. This is rather thematic for that era in this part of the world, of course. Nonetheless, during their tenure they built some structures that remain today as fenced-in ruins that give even those of us with untrained eyes some idea of their size and purpose. The more contemporary structures, i.e. the ones from the last few hundred years or so, appear to respectfully exist only with the express permission of their elders.

This peaceful architectural coexistence creates a rather appealing environment in which to stroll. Ortigia’s narrow streets house residents, restaurateurs and other vendors ranging from the desperately exclusive to the maddeningly chintzy. After a low-key navigation session through these winding streets we’re awarded with what at least I was looking for since we crossed the bridge on to Ortigia, the Mediterranean sea under a late afternoon sun. We are of course not alone, but the tourists here seem savvier somehow. Perhaps because it’s April and most normal people are grinding away at work somewhere or maybe it’s because we’re on Sicily, which may not be the destination for first-time Italy visitors. They feel savvy to me because I find myself not minding them. The gentle lapping of the waves can be heard over people’s voices and background music. In a way, the people in general and the visitors in particular are to Ortigia what more contemporary architecture is to the ancient ruins; peacefully coexisting.

The seawall beckons our uninterrupted strolling, an offer we of course accept. With a clear blue sky and  in the company of history, architecture and people we know we made the right decision in coming here.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”http://[2600:1f13:e3b:9100:ae18:b451:18d2:e990]/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/resize_IMG_20170408_131031.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

After another exhilarating fish market session, this time on the island of Ortigia, we took advantage of the BBQ available to us where we’re staying. The fish as presented by the merchants is as you’d expect to find them in the ocean and once they’ve been weighed, they graciously offered to clean them.

For more photos of Ortigia, take a look at Meredith’s post.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]