How about if I make this all photos?  That way I can post it without delay and get to sleep!  Photos from our fabulous last day in Siracusa at the market, il mercato, where we had so much fun chatting with the vendors and taking it all in:

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terrace view from our hotel.  breakfast is served here!

terrace view from our hotel. breakfast is served on this terrace.  The potted head comes from the  story of a young Sicilian woman who beheaded her unfaithful lover , placed his decapitated head on her terrace balcony, and stuck a flower on it….now a symbol of Siracusa.

Olives!

Olives!

Cheese vendors at the Siracusa market.

Cheese vendors at the Siracusa market.

more olives from the market

more olives from the market

Sicilian garlic!

Sicilian garlic!

Fish market!

Fish market!

Tomatoes, anyone?

Tomatoes, anyone?

Fish market continued

Fish market continued

Melons!

Melons!

A sign advertising a store available for rent...and posters of cat on the door..

A sign advertising a store available for rent…and posters of cats on the door..

And yes, the retreat has begun!  We did yoga to a fantastic view of Mt. Etna beyond the bay of Catania.  I LOVE our group.  And everyone is so very happy!