Calabria

 A one-day train strike has prevented us 

from taking a day trip to Scilla, legendary home

of the  Scylla of Scylla and Charybdis, 

in Greek mythology, two immortal monsters 

who endangered the hero Odysseus 

in the Odyssey. This has given me a chance

to report on Tropea and Calabria, following

the nightmare drive from Lamezia airport

six days ago. On our first full day we started 

with a drive to the Musaba "museum" near 

Mammarola, an odd but sublime choice.

https://www.musaba.org/

A worthy rival to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Walls of mosaics depicting myths

A tip from the cashier at MUSABA led

us to Taverna del Borgo in Mammarola for lunch

one of our happiest discoveries, a generous

and authentic restaurant where we had three

different dishes featuring fresh porcini mushrooms,

accompanied by grated reggiano parmesan and

local smoked cheese in a grating device,

a true culinary pleasure. Finished with gratis

housemade liqueurs, licorice and mandarin orange. 

 

On the following day we went to Gerace

and learned much about road closures.,

well-preserved medieval towns and fantastic 

panoramas.

Coming and going we ran into unannounced

road blockages,

END