My first voyage ‘round the world, part 6

Arriving in Messina was more reminiscent of Corsica, where I spent time during my military service in the French Air Force, than Genoa or Naples. When we got there we were told, once more, that the usual crew strike would continue, delaying even more our arrival in Melbourne. 

The next day, a Saturday like today, not in the least discouraged by the growing delay, JP suggested to a few friends and I that we pool our per-diem food money and rent a car to circumnavigate the island and see the sights.

We thought it was a cool idea and before we knew it, as we headed about 60 miles south, we found ourselves at the foot of Mt. Etna, a 10,974 feet high volcano, which raises over the city of Catania. 

On the slopes of the volcano a series of ski competitions called the “Tre giorni dell'Etna” (The three days of ski races at Etna) was held regularly, absence of eruption permitting, and brought international ski competitors. 

This time, there was no late June skiing in the program, Just two months before, following a few seismic events, the top of Mt Etna had just broken in different parts, at 10,00 feet height. The eruption of 1971 was one for the history books; of course we didn’t see it but could appreciate some of its destructive power. 

After looking around, we returned to Messina and rejoined our ship for another good Italian dinner followed by some dancing very late into the night, to the tunes of the second-class band...