Pirates of the Mediterranean - ON STEROIDS!

The best way to describe Catania is that it is literally PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN (or Mediterranean)... on STEROIDS!!!

As you reach the heart of the city, there is activity everywhere - fast driving, panini stands, nice restaurants, and historical architecture.  However, Catania is a very historical city - built and rebuilt countless times after the devastation of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions.  In fact, its the black ash that remains on most buildings that gives the city its Pirates of the Caribbean feel.  (NOTE: To all Sicilian Readers, I think this is AWESOME... I love Catania already and think this is what gives it its fascino, or charm)

After being picked up at the airport, we were wisked away to see the stadium... which shares this personality and will be a sweet home stadium.  It even has two large palm trees by the scoreboard, a la the Orange Bowl.  The grass itself is brilliantly green, as good as the English Premier League grass that I saw Chelsea play on.

As we drove along, I hung out the window snapping pictures.  I will post them as soon as they are downloaded, but let me just tell you that I have already been given the nickname "The Japanese Tourist" by my new teammates for the number of pics I have been taking.  I told them to just call me Wei Wong, but they obviously didn't get the joke. (And only people in our Edmonton circle of friends would too.)

From there a quick stop at the office - to talk football - and off to our first practice.  I was picking out my helmet - and thought about THIS ONE... yes, its blue made black via standard Electrical Tape, but settled for a new one.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, we practice on a small astroturf field located on the University of Catania campus.  The field is only 60 yards x 30 yards (like an Arena League or Hockey sized field) - so we split the team into WR/DB one day, Lineman the next.  Tonight was Lineman day - and a great 90 minute session on the run game.  I was impressed by how eager our guys are to learn and work hard.  As George says, "Elefanti mai stanchi" -- 'Elephants Don't Get Tired!" Can't wait for Saturday's full team workout on our regular practice field.

After practice (9:30pm) we ran back to our condo to drop off the bags.  As George has depicted, it is really the Italian Grand Prix meets Tijuana... driving here is an art here, not a science... and can best be described by using a football term -- "The best defense is a good offense!"  Weaving our sleek silver Nissan Micra in and out of traffic, we were home in about 10 minutes.

The evening (which doesn't really start until after 10:30 pm) began with dinner at a local restaurant with George and 9 of my new teammates.  As we walked up, a guy with a huge BBQ was grilling meat outside... we actually picked out our dinners at that point and headed into the restaurant.  Matt, our American Wide Receiver, has been here almost two weeks and is already 'one of the boys.'  Dinner was unbelievable - and featured some firsts for me.  After some amazing bread and olive oil, we began with a goat cheese/ tomato / onion salad (awesome), and then for the main course: Cavallo Meatball (yes, that's horse), Formaggio (Green Onion wrapped with Bacon -- SO GOOD!), and Chicken & Ham Kabobs.  Very good, and not bad for 'first dinner'.

From there, we went down the street for Dessert.  Matt, as mentioned, has discovered the Italian treat called a "Cannoli" - and is now borderline addicted.  In fact, George and I are currently looking for some Cannoli help groups for him.  We are also debated on putting up posters around town that say, "JUST SAY NO!  Help keep Matt a Wide Receiver by keeping him OFF Cannoli!"

After tasting my first Cannoli -- a unique Italian pastry filled with Ricotta Cheese (tasting almost like a hybrid of Cheesecake & Whip Cream) -- I could see why.  All the guys had one, Matt had two... earning him his new nickname, "OBI WON CANNOLI."

From there, we entered the town square, and this is where the Disney ride began... through the winding streets and piazzas along with the multi-colored Baroque buildings.  In fact, I think I saw down one alley a guy behind bars trying to reach a key being held by a monkey.  We ended up going to a place called the "Fundo Bianco" or "White Bottom - literally meaning the bottom of an empty glass."  It was just filling up at 12:30am.

We chatted and talked with the guys until around 3am and headed home.... just another Thursday in Catania and a great welcome to the city!!!

~ J. Twice