A British soldier returns to Sicily after 66 years

[Ron]

Ciao

I thought that some of the friends I've made on this forum might be interested to learn about my return to Sicily this year.

I spent about a month in Sicily during the fighting in WW2 and crossed over to Italy (via the Messina Straits) in September 1943.

The last time I made the trip I was in a boat just big enough for two vehicles called a LCM (Landing Craft Men) but this time it was on a car ferry big enough to carry 150 vehicles and I was accompanied by my wife and partner of 60 years

Whilst in Reggio di Calabria we paid a brief visit to the Museo Nazionale di Reggio di Calabria to see the famous Riace Bronzes.

Best wishes to all

Ron

[AdlerTS]

I understand that you never been there between WW2 and today, right ?

[Ron]

Precisely !

Ron

[AdlerTS]

Have you got the feeling that there are more changes in the land or in the people ?

[Ron]

I would have been more surprised if there had been no changes in the people

Don't forget, it was 66 years since I was last in Sicily.

We stayed, by the way, in Taormina which was only 37 miles both from Catania Airport where we landed and Messina which was my major reason for returning.

I don't know whether you know Taormina, but there is a Greek Amphitheatre there and there is an entrance fee to be paid.

I always ask for a senior citizen's discount when visiting public places like that but on this occasion when the asked for "documente" to prove my age the only item I had on me was some WW2 photos of me in uniform.

When I asked if that was "sufficiamente" the girls in the ticket office all cried out "complimente !" and my wife and I were promptly ushered in at no charge

[AdlerTS]

The picture is much more impressive

[Ron]

The picture is much more impressive

I thought you might like to see the sheet that I showed the girls and that got us into the amphitheatre for nothing