Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of November 5, 1881

Overview

Arrival in Palermo was disorderly at first, with Richard irritated by the rush of boats and greeters that delayed disembarkation, but the annoyance quickly gave way to shared laughter. The Hotel des Palmes pleased the family at once with its greenery, terraces, and homelike rooms, and Rubinstein's welcome completed the sense of being settled. A first drive through the town, however, left Cosima doubtful that Palermo could ever rival Naples as a permanent winter refuge.

Content

Saturday, November 5:

Arrival in sunshine at eleven o’clock. Much waving from boats, and the waiting people storming on board, which, since it hinders our leaving the ship, makes R. very indignant. But then he joins in our laughter. Arrival at the Hotel des Palmes, rooms 24, 25, 26, with a conservatory terrace overlooking the garden, the children on the ground floor opposite; everything nice and homely and green. Rub. welcomes us, we have breakfast, unpack, and drive through the town, which makes little appeal after Naples. I observe to R. that this is hardly likely to become our permanent winter abode for the future.