The World Champions Still No. 1

According to FIFA, Italy has managed to hold the # 1 spot in the rankings. There were a few matches in April that affected the monthly rankings from over a four year span.

It brought Italy, the soccer world champions, to stay at the # 1 spot.

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Mt Etna -More Lava

The volcano in Mount Etna, continues to register seismic tremors and lava continues to flow down the mountain. So far there aren't any threats for the residents in Catania, Sicily.

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Palermo

The best city you may consider visiting while vacationing in Sicily would be Palermo. Palermo has many beautiful churches and museums that attracts tourists every year. Some churches that are popular are: The Cathedral of Palermo, San Cataldo, La Martorana. Museums: Teatro Massimo, Teatro Politeama.
A building that you may want to see is Palazzo dei Normanni. Tourists are always fascinated by the architecture of this building. Quattro Canti is a small place that lies at the crossing of very ancient streets that divide the town into its quarters.
Palermo is also known very well for their famous designer boutiques. Shopping in Palermo is quite an experience, it will remind you of being on 5th Avenue in New York City or Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Some of the stores they have there are Gucci, Versace, Valentino, Armani, as well as many other stores. They have many exquisite jewelry stores.

The Cathedral of Palermo














Teatro Massimo













Teatro Politeama

My Experience Visiting Sicily

Sicily is one of the best places to visit in the summer time. The temperature can reach up to as high as 110 F and it is all dry air, no humidity. I'm going to tell you about the first day I went to Sicily. The moment my plane landed at the airport ( Falcone Borsellino), also known as Punta Raisi in Palermo, I was amazed by the beautiful mountains that surrounded me. As my father was driving me and my mother to our town in San Giuseppe Jato, we drove taking the road leading to Trapani. We drove through the country side. Everywhere I looked there was farm land that went on for miles. Farming is how some Sicilians make their money. The farms grow crops of grapes that are used for making wine, and they also grow olives, tomatoes, watermelons, fig trees, etc... Getting back to my ride from the airport going to my parents hometown... When we entered San Giuseppe Jato, I was stunned to see how diverse the town looked from my home town in New York. It looked like nothing I've ever seen. Pretty much all the houses in Italy are made of cemented stone. Some houses were built many. many years ago and are lucky to be still standing. The buildings lie close together and the streets are very narrow. On every other block you will find cafe's and pizzerias. They also have many small boutiques that sell clothes. shoes, and other necessities.

Monte Jato

Monte Jato lies on a mountain top in Sicily. It was founded by the Elymians or by the Sicans by early 1st century BC. Monte jato was known as the city of Iaitas in 1st century BC. In Roman times it was known as Ietas and in the Middle ages, as Giato. In mid- 6th century BC this city had influences from the Greeks. Evidence from public buildings show that this city was rich from 4th century BC and on. The Arabs, in 13th Century BC, going against Frederick the II palisaded themselves in the town causing a long siege that lasted until 1246. The city Giato was destroyed in ruins, sending its people to Lucera in Puglia. In 1971 many people from various towns helped dig up the ruins of this city.

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These Photos Were taken while visiting Monte Jato.

The Theater














Bathroom