We might not look it, but we’re pooped.

We’ve walked many miles on this trip, which can be exhausting of itself, but the real feat is trying to stay focused for hours on end, listening to stories in broken English, pieced together Italian, and even a smattering of French! For instance, Jeff and Sophie sat with a young man for more than 3-hours and during that time he told them as much of his story as he could share. He showed them important locations in the city. He opened up about his pain and his heart’s desire. And when done with their visit, they were thrilled with the exchange, but utterly worn out.

And this is true for the entire group. Thankfully, yesterday was a respite from our constant conversations as we travelled back to Catania from our time in Palermo.

However, before we could even leave the city, we had another fantastic find. Shane and I went to get the van and we walked past a young black man standing on a balcony. It was interesting because, only a few days before as we walked from parking the van, a young black man was on this same balcony and Shane had engaged him without success. However, yesterday, just below the balcony, a door was open to the street and 8 or 9 African boys were gathered at a desk, and a young Italian man was also there. Of course, Shane couldn’t resist. He went in and started talking with the group. It turns out, one of the very first locations we encountered in the city was a camp holding up to 60 young African men. While we’d met many migrants, this was the first official immigration camp we’d discovered in the city. It was good information for any future work that might go on in Palermo.

In an effort to enjoy a few of the sites, we took a side trip to the Castello di Lombardia on our way back to Catania. It is one of the highest points on the island; however, and unfortunately for us, the castle was socked in with cloud and fog, preventing a clear view of anything more than 20-feet in front of us. A sign in the castle indicated that a clear day could offer visitors a view of the entire island of Sicily. We had to take the sign’s word for it.

Shortly after unpacking at The Nest, we returned to downtown Catania to catch up with some of the people we met this week. Anita and I were able to spend time with two friends we met last year. It was so good to see them and talk about the various camps they’ve lived in during the past 12-months, their current situation, and their desire to find a job. It was heartbreaking to see our friends struggle so. I also reconnected with a Somalian man we met the first day. We met him the second day of our trip and he had a friend with him. Last night, the two were there with another friend in tow. It’s becoming quite the crowd!

 

We have one more trip to the city planned for today, with hopes of seeing a few others, saying goodbye, and ending our visit well. Tonight we have plans to spend a few hours debriefing our trip, discussing what we did, who we met, what it might mean for them, and certainly what it means for us.

 

It is sad to think the trip is almost over, but there isn’t one person in our group that isn’t sad to be returning home, seeing our loved ones, and sleeping in our own beds. It puts into perspective those we met who do not have this option now or anytime soon.