Rome airport is not easy to get around, it is a maze of complex networks. In order to get my boarding pass, I had to find the departure gate. With 5 hours to kill until boarding my flight to Catania, there was no hurry. 

Giving the time I had and after picking up my boarding pass, I used the time to purchases a cheap cell phone . My intention was to use my iPhone, but proved to be difficult as it was locked! I did request to unlock the phone before departure, but something must have gone wrong. having turned Data Roaming and I would still be able to connect Wifi when in hotels to update my blogs.

All good and the flight to Catania was running on time. A one hour flight and finally walking on the Mother land. No customs here and on exit I was greeted by my excited cousins Fiorella, her husband Nuccio, Rosario, his wife Patricia and their daughter Valentina, whom I have kept in touch with on Facebook. Thanks to Facebook and reconnecting with my relations abroad. "Ciao, ciao", baci, baci and more baci as they welcomed me to their home land.

My cousins dropped me off at my Mother's sister Graziella's house in San Giovanni, Acireale, where I would be staying as a guest in my cousin's Pina and her husband Saro's house for the first two weeks. The enthusiasm in greeting me was overwhelming . Cousin's Giovanna, Rosario and their children Paola, and Camillo, my cousin Pina and her husband Saro, all welcoming and showed me to the dinning table. They probably thought I may have been hungry, Such a lovely way to be greeted and food is the essence to their hospitality. 

Mother's, Grandmother's and Aunties welcome you with the greeting words "Have you eaten?". Most common with all European Mothers, tell me one who doesn't!

After lunch I visited my Zia Venera, (Mum's eldest sister), unfortunately not in the state I wish to have reunited with her. My Aunt had broken her shoulder and had badly bruised herself after having a fall. She knocked out a couple of teeth and was bed ridden. When I was in Sicily 22 years ago it was Zia Venera and her husband Zio Camillo (Deceased) who hosted me in their home. In 22 years so many changers and so many of my Aunts are now widowers. Zia genera was being nursed by her daughter (my cousin) Graziella and her husband Guiseppe who welcomed me to their home, which they have renovated and has a lovely rustic feel to it filled with beautiful furniture . My cousin Graziella and her husband know what style is. They have just had a swimming pool built in their back garden and here in Sicily that is a luxury. 

Returning to Zia Graziella, I put my skill to work and Coloured and cut my Aunt's hair. Yes I couldn't leave my comb and scissors home!

In the evening my cousin Pina, her husband Saro and friend Matteo took us into Corso Umberto to watch Carnevale. A number of amazing decorated floats are driven through the street and they are amazing to watch as they unfold a number of layers.

To finish off the evening, Saro took us to a bar to enjoy my first Granita and brioche, nowhere in the world can you compare this sweet. It does not get better than this!