Randy and I had one of those weekends that are the entire reason we attempted this great adventure. We started out taking the train to Shoe Alley. It's an outdoor market that specializes in shoes, but has lots of other stuff as well. We could have driven to the market, except there was an air pollution warning issued that restricted travel in the city. No cars were to be used inside Naples from 7:30 AM until 5:30 PM. Apparently, we are the only ones that heeded that warning. So off on the train, and a good bit of a walk, to find the market. We started out with at least the streets we needed to follow, and then for some reason I suggested a right turn. I have no sense of direction here, but right it was. An extra 10 minutes on a 30 minute walk, and we found the market. It was a successful trip. Our friend found some boots, I got some fabric to cover a dining room chair that had gone threadbare, and Randy found shoes (made in Italy, even the box says so!!) and his murse. That's a male purse for you uninitiated. The saleslady even adjusted it on him.
Saturday after sleeping in (can't seem to get enough sleep here) and recovering our passports, we were off to Alberobello. It's a small town heading toward the heel of the boot. We stopped for lunch along the way and had a great lunch with some pointing and smiling, and hoping that there was no shellfish in what we ordered since Randy is allergic to shellfish. Alberobello is home to a village of Trulli houses. These are conical houses with stone roofs. Think of the Smurf's village. The story goes that they could easily be dismantled and moved in case the tax man was coming. We left there about dusk and travelled by GPS route, meaning back winding roads toward Matera. Matera has an ancient section, and medieval castle, and a modern town. The ancient Sassi section is comprised on homes built into a series of caves that have been occupied for about 9000 years. Yes - thousand. We had a great day walking around the town. Most were abandoned in the 1950's when the Italians started a campaign to alleviate the squalor. Since then, they have been taken over by many enterprising folks that turned portions into B&Bs, souvenir shops, and places to eat. It is still fascinating to see how the houses all fit together. According to the guide, it was used as the backdrop for Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ movie because it looks like (at least Hollywood's interpretation) of ancient Palestine. My words can't do it justice, and Randy's pictures can't show the immensity of the dwellings on the face of the hill/mountain, but you get the gist of it.
We stopped for the night at the Palace Hotel. In the Dining Room the waiter asked if we spoke any Italian. I do my ususal un pocco -- pocco. Meaning very little. They always assume I am underestimating my talent (I'm not) and start rattling off the specials and what we would like. We do a lot more smiling and pointing, hoping for the best. Randy asked for fish. He got the whole thing, tail, head, bones. The only thing missing were the guts. Then the waiter offered to plate the fish for him. With two spoons he pulled the tail and head off, then managed to debone the entire thing with a couple of flourishes. It was delicious. I had a pasta dish with capers and raisins. I still don't know the word for either. It was interesting, but not something I will attempt to make again on my own.
The drive back was better in the day light. You could see the switchbacks coming at you, as you travelled along. A great weekend, good sites, good food, good company. It's why we're here. Wish you were too!
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Property For Sale In Italy - Magnificent Houseby ItalyHouseHunt181 views
Best slideshow yet! Just one question... where did they hide the smurfs??
athruster 10 months ago