Segesta, Sicily

When I initially researched Sicily,  the number of ancient sites it held struck me immediately.  I imagined Greece as the European place to see temples and archaeological sites from before Christ.  Yet, I learned the real estate adage "Location, location location" fits Sicily.  Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish - among others -  tried to claim the premier piece of land.   These people left Doric Temples, Greek theaters, alters and tombs throughout the island.   Near Trapani, the ancient of Segesta took root in the twelfth century BC.   A Doric temple and a theatre still stand from over 2500 years ago.

Alessandro drove us to the site.  He put Charlie on a ten yard leash, walked up the hill, and told us "No one is looking - you can climb over the gate."  So we did.

Then, a guard yelled at us in Italian.  So Emily ran.

We took pictures while Alessandro reminisced about coming here as a kid and hanging out at the temple.

The kids picked flowers and created wild bouquets.

We persuaded them to hike the 20 minutes to the theater.

We rested and ate Italian cookies and American granola bars at a 4,000 seat theatre built earlier than I can fathom.

I prayed we would not be visiting an Italian ER as the kids jumped form seat to seat.

As we picked out sandwiches at the store on site, Alessandro interjected, insisted they were garbage and explained he knew the perfect place in the next town over.  Ten minutes later, we arrived in a town with no restaurants and practically no people.  After more cookies and cappuccino, we started the twenty minute drive back to Trapani.  Dave quickly noticed that we were going the wrong way.  Unfortunately, Alessandro did not notice until 30 min later.  We drove up and down the mountain taking very sharp turns prompting Owen to turn green.  An hour and 40 minutes later we arrived back in Trapani, grateful we only had one ride left.