Page 76 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

a fatter pay-packet. Universities require English-language teachers in most faculties;

write directly to enquire about positions. Strictly speaking, you could get by without
any knowledge of Italian while teaching, though it obviously helps, especially when
setting up private classes.

Au pairing is another option: again sift through the ads in locally produced English-
language publications in Sicily’s big cities to find openings.

Study

The only academic institution offering study abroad programmes in Sicily is run by
Arcadia University at MCAS, the Mediterranean Centre for Arts and Sciences. Based
in Ortigia, Siracusa, it’s a liberal arts faculty (part of Arcadia University) offering
accredited courses to American students. Courses include archeology, marine biology

and the Mediterranean diet.

Mail

Post office opening hours are usually Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 6.30pm; offices
in smaller towns close on a Saturday, and everywhere else post offices close at noon
on the last Saturday of the month. You can also buy stamps (francobolli) in some gift
shops in tourist resorts, and in shops called tabacchi, recognizable by a sign

displaying a white “T” on a black or blue background (these also sell cigarettes,
sweets and stationery). The Italian postal service is among the slowest in Europe – if
your letter is urgent, consider paying extra for the express service, or posta
prioritaria.

Maps

The best large-scale road map of Sicily is published by the Touring Club Italiano

(Sicilia, 1:200,000), available from map and travel bookshops or online retailers.
Otherwise, the Automobile Club d’Italia issues a good, free 1:275,000 road map,
available from the State Tourist Offices, while local tourist offices in Sicily often
have free road maps of varying quality. Local tourist offices also hand out reasonable
town plans and regional maps.

Hiking maps (scale 1:25,000 and 1:50,000) for the Monti Madonie and other areas
can be ordered from the Istituto Geografico Militare ( igmi.org), or check what’s

available at the Palermo stationer’s shop Cartoleria de Magistris, Via A. Gagini 23 (
091 589 233). Note, however, that most of these maps were drawn up in the 1970s,
and, particularly at altitudes above 1500m, many of the paths shown on them no longer
exist. The Club Alpino Siciliano, Via A. Paternostro 43, Palermo (
clubalpinosiciliano.it), or – sometimes – tourist and regional park offices in Palermo