Arrived in c. midnight on 8th and left c. 9.30am 11th.
Stayed here
Spent three nights in Antigua. Nice hotel, good food, good barber, good sports’ bar (saw Man City win final v. Milan), good book shop, great excitement for local 10k run last night. And excellent coffee everywhere.
Two short thunderstorms – par for the course this time of year. Temp varied between 17C and 27C.
Rafael Landivar SJ RIP
Back acted up so had to skip major hike – will do some hiking from Lake Atitlan.
Motorbikes everywhere
Obviously all relatively cheap visiting from European city. Feels like would be a good place to spend a week learning local Spanish at a future date.
Kerins O’Rahilly against Kilmacud Crokes – GAA Club All Ireland Football semifinal. A Kerry Dublin clash.
Nothing like having your parish involved in the closing stages of Club All Ireland – have to admit my Crokes connections. Amateur sport – all the players completely accessible in their clubs and parishes.
Great to have your Club playing here at HQ- Croke Park. Great surface for playing top level games mid winter. Though today is more like a spring day.
And The Glen v. Moycullen to follow.
First half exhibition of fielding from Kerry stalwart David Moran. But Crokes looking more threatening on the break. Two points in it at half tome – game in the balance.
Crokes finally got the goal that was eluding them. Thereafter they seemed to have something to spare. Right until the end when Kerins O’Reilly pulled them back to three points and threatened goal to no avail.
Competitive all the way
For Kilmacud Crokes a chance in two weeks’ time to go one better than 2022.
Will be interesting to see how Elon Musk and Tesla go forward – what changes, if any, getting strategy right. On the face of it looks tricky: slowing global economies, higher finance costs for consumers, significant additional capacity coming on line, competitors catching up, Tesla cars more expensive than previously.
Musk has attracted mixed coverage for his Twitter take over – at the same time as his car company is experiencing these challenges. How much does the Twitter acquisition impact sales of Tesla cars? Are current/ potential Tesla owners concerned that the founder may be distracted? Are Tesla shareholders concerned?
But Musk and Tesla have been and continue to be innovators – and competitors should not underestimate this commitment to getting the tech right, creating new experiences for drivers. Why would Tesla not continue to deliver new ideas, innovations, enhanced experiences?
In some ways reminds me of Ryanair and Michael O’Leary. O’Leary has been the people’s champion – low cost flights, enabling travels for the masses. He has not always been popular – and some of his PR stunts have not always been well received. But he has stayed focused, he seems to have used each recession as an opportunity to strengthen his business. He has created capacity heading into (or during) downturns – only to accelerate in the upswing. He has weathered economic downturns and COVID19.
Will be interesting to see how Tesla moves forward. Reminded me of Rumelt’s ‘Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The core of strategy work is always the same: discovering the critical factors in a situation and designing a way of coordinating and focusing actions to deal with those factors. A leader’s most important responsibility is identifying the biggest challenges to forward progress and devising a coherent approach to overcoming them.
Interesting to read this piece on BBC today: new tool to detect breast cancer.
Read the various inputs from different doctors – fully get it: not a replacement for the doctor and not a replacement for visiting the doctor. But when you read about the shortage of doctors, the pressures on hospitals, the numbers of late detected cancers – we have to look at tools which enable patients/ potential patients work in partnership with their doctors.
Unfortunately thinking about dementia is not too difficult for most of us – having seen the impact in our families and/or close friends. Just listened to a series of three podcasts published by The Conversation.
I was familiar with the ideas about Alzheimers – build up of plaque/ tangles in brain (amyloids, tau). And had read recently about some exciting developments in terms of drugs which may slow down development of Alzheimers.
But found the podcasts very interesting on a number of fronts (as a layperson);
Potential relevance of education and socio economic background to onset of dementia
Possible relevance of untreated high blood pressure during peoples’ 30s and 40s
Research of Common Cold Sore Virus (HSV1) as a possible cause/ instigator of Alzheimers
Impact of sports injuries/ concussion – CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy)
Typical clinical diagnoses for Alzheimers
Views of a range of researchers in US and UK
Unfortunately seems like we are going to have to live with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia for some time – and will be more prevalent as the population lives longer. But as one of the researchers reminds us – so little progress on cancer for so long and now we are seeing personalised medicine in cancer treatments. Hopefully we will also see breakthroughs of significance in field of dementia in next few years.
When I read Tom Coughlins’ thoughts on the metaverse, some of the challenges and opportunities, I can’t but compare this with hospitals operating a hybrid of paper based and electronic healthcare records – and what the metaverse for healthcare would mean. The world has move on – so far. Belated implementation of old fashioned software is not digital transformation – and is not positioning healthcare to move forward and leverage the opportunities presented by the metaverse.
In this discussion Coughlin considers some of the challenges in terms of access, connectivity e.g. if trying to accommodate 5,00 people from multiple devices in a concert type situation.
Clearly, from the bets being made by Meta, Mark Zuckerberg thinks we will solve many of these technical challenges.
Interesting comments also about the car industry – KPMG suggesting that >50% of the cost of electric cars is semiconductors. I have just finished reading ‘Chip War‘ – FT business book of the year. I think it should form part of basic courses in economics, social science, engineering. Amazing to see the role being played by this industry across the globe.
This piece from venturebeat well worth a read for anyone getting over excited about implementing an EHR solution in 2022. If we want to serve a public in the metaverse need to throw out some of the old thinking and reinvent ourselves.
Decided it was time to move away from the coast and see some more of Sicily. So Monday morning 2km walk to the Stazione Centrale in Siracusa and train from their to Modica. About a 1km walk from Modical mStazione to my hotel – located in the centre of Modica – La Mognolie.
Looking across the rooftops to top of Modica
Lovely room – and hotel had lovely terrace with a view across Modica.
Quasimodo
Visit to Quasimodo birthplace
After a rest walked up to the top of Modica – caught the Cathedral on the way up. Another lavish affair and headed from their to the top. Came across an excellent coffee shop on the way down. And then happened on Quasimodo’s birthplace when almost back down to lower Modica. Didn’t know much about Quasimodo – Nobel prize winner for Literature. But the twenty minutes om the hose in which he spent he first two years of his life was most enjoyable. Guide could not have been more helpful.
Cathedral, Modica
Of course when I got back down also had the opportunity to visit Modica’s second Cathedral – equally impressive.
Chocolate
When I got here learned that Modica sees itself as the capital of Chocolate in Italy. They make it differently – and it tastes different. Key difference in process seems to be: ‘Modica Chocolate is mainly made with cocoa and sugar mixed in a cold-working process. It has no added fats; in fact, it contains only the cocoa butter that is naturally present in cocoa beans.’
Continuing to work on the Italian
Fashion in Modica
Each day have returned to some of the materials from lessons in Cefalu. Have also tried reading the local newspaper and inflicted my few words on any willing victims.
Where next?
Had read about Ragusa and Ragusa Ibla. And also about Monterosso Almo and Enna. There seemed to ba an issue wrt Monterosso Almo – could not get there and back on the train in one day from Ragusa. But the next step seemed obvious – get to Ragusa.
Ragusa
Shipped out – by train – from Modica after only one night. First experience of a train delay – train was an hour late. Made no real difference. Arrived into Ragusa c. 1.00pm and took my familiar 20 minute walk to my accommodation: Locanda la MARIDIANA.
This gets top billing for accommodation, welcome and general hospitality over the two weeks. Simple Inn – had a bedroom (with balcony window), small study/ dressing room and small bathroom – in a 4/5 bed INN. Located about 5 mins from main piazza in Ragusa and 2 mins from steps down to Ragusa Ibla. Great hostess – all good recommendations re transport, restaurants, sight seeing, shopping. Breakfast in garden on villa around the corner each morning – fresh orange juice, coffee, meats, local cheeses, pastries – and friendly chat. Extended stay from 2 to 4 days.
Ragusa Superiore
CaravaggioFrom John the Baptist Cathedral
Visited Il Duomo (John the Baptist) and the exhibit of the Caravaggio next door. Spectacular Cathedral. The Caravaggio next door (on loan) was of John The Baptist, as a youth – and was supported by a number of other paintings (not Caravaggio) of John the Baptist. Shopping in Ragusa was also quite tempting and offered good value in men’s clothes.
Ragusa Superiore is laid out in straight streets cris crossing on the hill that is Ragusa. Felt a little like New York in layout – but different.
Friday evening in Ragusa saw me tuned into Youtube to watch live coverage of Kilmacud Crokes Senior Ladies Footballers v. Thomas Davis in Dublin County Final. A few puzzled Sicilians as I shouted out when Crokes got their winning goal. Great night to be a Crokes supported in Ragusa (or anywhere else).
Ragusa Ibla
Ventured down the steps on day 2 to Ragusa Ibla. Beautiful city – with lovely narrow winding streets.
Visited the Cathedral and took the tour of the museum – fascinating. Got some insights into the rivalry between Ibla and Superiore. Again tempted by the shops. And the restaurants. Actually had to take shelter for an hour – huge thunder storm. Enjoyed the workout – taking the steps back up to Superiore.
Steps back up to Ragusa Sueriore
But enjoyed Ibla so much repeated the dose two days later – no regrets.
Palermo
Technically stayed two nights – one on the way here and one on the way back. The second one was a Saturday night and most of a Sunday.
Marina Palermo
Loved Palermo – had completely underestimated it. In many respects took me back to me first visit to Rome 35 years ago – the buzz in the city on a Saturday evening, the marina, the markets on Sunday. And everything else.
Sunday markets PalermoPark front of palace Palermo
I think Palermo would be ideal for a long weekend in spring or late autumn – 4 days (given amount to see/ do and length of the flight). Will be back and have already recommended to a number of others.
Final thoughts
Before coming had not realised Sicily has a population similar to Ireland: c. 5m. But density per km is 190 per sq km v. 70 in Ireland. Had not thought about the number of times has been invaded or taken over – Carthage, Greece, Rome, Germans, Arabs, Normans, French, Spanish. Incredible mix of cultures. And throughout the country see memorials to the Reunification – plaques to great leaders at the time. And the great earthquake of 1693.
My basic efforts to learn Italian have been most stimulating (for the brain), enjoyable (and frustrating) but, most of all, have added to the quality of my experience in Sicily and my interactions with people wherever I have gone.
Very much recommend Sicily to all visitors. And allow some time to see some of Sicily such as Ragusa or Modica – the cities/ towns/ villages away from the coast.
It’s been a great week in Sicily. Came September this year (Puglia in October last year) – and the weather has been so much warmer – late 20s to early 30s – sun on your back!
Travel by train (il treno)
Decided not to hire a car – and no regrets. Train from Palermo was simple and the train trip from Cefalu (two changes) to Siracusa was very straightforward and on time all the way. No need for car in either location (Cefalu/ Siracusa). Had a 10 minute stroll to hotel in Cefalu and a 20 minute stroll to apartment in Siracuse in centro storico.
Trenitalia app and FFP2 mask
Trains very comfortable, very clean and cheap (€17.50 from Cefalu to Syracusa). All seems a lot easier than when interrailing (in 1981) – just downloaded my Trenitalia app – select and pay – show the online ticket on the train. Everyone is required to wear a mask on the train (per viaggiare su tuttii treni e obbligatorio indossare la mascherina di tipo FFP2).
Learning Italian
6 years of Latin and Greek, 4 years of German and French, 14 years of Irish. Plenty of effort invested by others (and not a little by myself) – not much sign of it in spoken foreign languages. All three kids educated through Irish and comfortable with other languages. Have had a hankering for a long time to try Italian (Latin, Music, the food…).
Spent 90 minutes Monday to Friday in one on one classes in @solemarsicilia in Cefalu. And really enjoyed the challenge – putting the mind (and memory) to work. Great insegnante (Marco Iacono) – and felt like I have made a good start. Lots of pointers re Sicily, discussions of politics. (The real bonus was that Marco has read Joyce). In fairness have found all Sicilians supportive of efforts to speak Italian.
Cefalu
Loved my five days there – three in a hotel (Artemis) and two in an apartment in the centro storico. Hotel was excellent. Apartment probably too small – but brilliantly located. Lovely place to stay a week.
Sea swimming twice most days. Excellent food. And too many places for cafe, dolce or gelati. And also found Gourmet Deco Cefalu – like an upmarket M&M food hall – with local produce.
La Piazza di Duomo
Visited the Duomo – very impressive. Walked around the boundaries of the seawalls.
Siracusa
The advice had been – got to go to Siracusa – the most beautiful of the Sicilian cities – Greek history and influence. Incorporates the island – Ortigia. And did not disappoint. Took an apartment in the centro storico – on Ortigia (About a 25 minute walk from the Stazione). Very comfortable and central.
Last year when in Puglia I visited Gallipoli – a similar idea to Siracusa. But no real comparison.
Some of the highlights of Siracusa:
Walking the Perimeter of Ortigia
Abut an hour’s walk – beautiful views, the marina, fortress, beaches from which to swim, some very classy looking hotels.
So nice to be able to just walk from the apartment, down the steps and in for a swim – real city living! and the same complaint as elsewhere in Sicily – so warm it’s hardly refreshing (for an Irish person that is).
Saturday market
What a buzz, colour, mix of people, fantastic collection of foods – fish, meat, cheese, vegetables, fruit, spices. And people just sitting down to have the produce.
Parco Archaeologica di syracusa
Greek theatre
2km stroll out on Sunday morning from Ortigia. And what a great site – Greek and Roman theatres.
Roman Theatre
Reflections after week 1 in Sicily
Sicily has blown me away. Was here 2 5 years ago to attend a wedding in the Valley of the Temples – but had no idea that there was no much to the island. People have been so friendly, food great and scenery spectacular. The trains run on time. the sea, the beaches, the churches.
Taking first tentative steps in learning the language has been great – and will be key to understanding/ enjoying the culture in a richer way.
When you think of Roman Empire, Renaissance, look at all the learning, culture, music and what Italy has been through – difficult to understand Italy’s current standing globally. Feel like they need another Risurgimento – of sorts. So much to give – and we have so much to learn.
Downloaded trenitalia app and bought ticket (€.6.20) for Palermo to Cefalu. Walked to Central station. Great to have ticket – nasty queue. 45 mins and arrived – was required to wear a mask on the train.
Checked into hotel and then onto to Italian school Solimar Sicilia – 5 mins from hotel and 5 mins from station.
Beautiful Cefalu
And after lessons did not have far to go for a swim and some sun.
Il centro storico
Nice stroll through the city.
Great night sky – looking all the way back to Palermo
Lovely walking tour of the City Monday evening with some fellow students (German and Swedish) – facilitated by Mauro from the Italian school. Followed by un appertivo in la piazza.
Aircoach on time and excellent – as I head for Palermo in Sicily. Security at Dublin Airport zero delays. Airport good. Ryanair 90 mins late – delayed on way in from Athens. Taxi to Palermo – crazy lane swapping, finishing with 80kmph down a 30! Nice hotel. The 20 min walk to Stazione centrale more like 30- but who’s counting? Feels like am back interrailing. Due at language school in Cefalu c. 11am.
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