Derelict garden in city centre -Palermo

This neglected public garden in the heart of Palermo underneath the rampants of the Palazzo Reale sums up the years of neglect this city has endured because of the stranglehold of the Mafia .
There are signs of change though. This area has been cordoned off and the bulldozers are parked on the edge . Let's hope they are not going to erase it.

Our guidebook had warned us that things might be little difficult in Palermo as far as services go - our very grand palazzo hotel costing leads than some bed and breakfasts in the Uk claims to have wi-fi and Internet access. Both don't work and management express huge surprise.
Took tourist bus around city where guide proudly pointed out one hotel much bigger than ours where all the worlds leaders and celebrities had met at some time or other to decide on world affairs.
The guide included the Mafia in her list.

Visited Monreale famous for its church full of golden mosaics. Palermo is a city of exuberant Baroque architecture around every corner it would seem.
And the bookshops! Every other shop in our street seems to be a small independent bookshop.
Have yet to see a mobile phone shop though mobiles and iPads much in evidence in all tourist sights
(apologies for not commenting- will do so on return otherwise fear will run up heavy phone bill).
Sent from my iPhon