Lecce August 3, 2016

Are friends took us to Lecce today. I was so sad that I took so few photos and then I saw that I had taken 58 and that was without going inside one church. Lecce would take a few weeks to properly explore. There are infinite painting possibilities. I would like to spend at least a week there. We only walked around a part of the old town today. Here is a postcard view of Lecce along with some of the food we ate:

We started with the castle. 

Archeological dig in the center of the castle

There always seems to be modern art exhibition in these amazing medieval castles.

Inexplicible

Just ignore the art

Renovated toilet...very nice and airy

These were all over the castle so I cheated and took a picture of a poster. You may pick your favorite.

The Andy Warhol exhibition was interesting and we were the only people. Can you imagine that in NYC?

Lecce is the city of almonds. These little breads filled with almonds and creame are typical of Puglia. 

In rhe center of town there is a Roman amphitheater. Today there was a dinner theater and
 concert stage set up and at Christmas there is a live Nativity scene. 

Really big olive tree also in the center of town.

Nice building

 Lecce is famous for its paper mache. They make huge statues and figures that look like porcelain or marble. These are some of the forms for starting. They are made of straw.

The paper mache artist in his studio. 

Here are the stages of making the paper mache figures. 

More examples of paper mache.

Pretty stuff.

There was an amazing store of hand made books. The papers were amazing and 

also they had many books made with leather. Lecce is know for its leather goods. 

There are many hand made shoes and purses for sale.

Coffee two and small bread things that are typical of Puglia.

View from caffe

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There were quite a few street venders selling interesting stuff. 

 More pretty vistas.

Many churches in southern Italy have tile roofs. 

 This is the restaurant where we had lunch.

Kristen's lunch

Palm trees in town.

Cute horses on the balcony.

And then we had a nap and now we have had dinner and are enjoying our last evening here for this year out on the terrace. Tomorrow is a travel day and then we will be back in CVS on Thursday night.

Best Beach Day at Santa Maria al Bagno

Today was such a great beach day. A few blocks from our friend's house we catch a bus for 1.5E that takes us right to the beach. We already have friends here. The bus driver greeted us and said here are your two tickets before I could ask. We have seen our new friends everyday we have gone to the beach and they greet us as well. It is nice to be part of a community. Of course every store on the street knows us, because I have asked them all where the bus stop is.

 Looking down on the beach

On the beach

Here we have the new worst style for men I have ever seen. The pictures are in black and white to future disguise these fashion mistakes.   So here's the deal. Before, everyone wore speedos. Now some men were trunks. So far so good, BUT THEN, they roll the legs under. I didn't get a picture of the guy with the white bathing suit, but let me tell you, it looked just like a diaper rolled under. These two men are fine examples of the male species and it doesn't really work for them. Just imagine it on a more typical man. Bring back the speedos, please. 

 More views from the Beach

And after a day at the beach: the artist's reward. 

Chocolate and strawberry gelato at a seaside bar with two, not one, but two cookies!

And then we took the bus home for another 1.5E and now I am 

drinking a little rosatta while Kirsten makes dinner.

Journey to the End of the Earth August 1, 2016

Well, now we have been to the southern tip of the heel of Italy. De Finibus Terrae.

We are visiting our friends in Nardo. We started our journey there and drove to the beach we have been enjoying the last few day. # 24 Sta. Maria al Bagno. From there we went south down the west coast of the heel of Italy until we reach #15 Santa Maria di Leuca. Next we drove north on the Adriatic coast to just north of #11 Otranto. It was about a 100 km round trip. However with stops to eat and drink it took all day.

We are looking pretty happy after our first stop for a drink at a beach side bar. Remember, "bar" means coffee as well as liquor. Jim had coffee, but I had my new favorite summer drink. Non-alcholic. It is bianco bitter with aqua frizzante. You get  a little bottle of bitters. It comes in white and red as far as I know.  They add a slice of orange and some fizzy water. It is not sweet and it is super refreshing. (also there is ICE) If you could also use sparkling wine and Aperol and you would have my other favorite drink: Aperol Spritz. ( you'll be seeing that later!)

There are some sandy beaches that are packed with people, but most of the beaches are volcanic rock. There are many intrepid people who have their favorite spot out on these rocks.
Beach shoes required.

Not long after coffee it was time for lunch. This is not what I ate! They are the red scrimp

I did not eat this either. It is little spoons full of different raw fishy things. 

I had delicious pasta which I believe is a much better choice. 

After dinner our waiter offered us a shot of artichoke liquor. 

Holy moly! Another delicious taste of summer.

We walked around for about five minutes after lunch, but it was really hot in the sun. 

There was a nice breeze, but the sun in southern Italy is searing. 

Visions of old and new in this seaside town. 

Happy Danes and their American friend.

 Santa Maria di Leuca

 De Finibus Terrae

 Looking down on a more rocky beach. Yes there are people there. 

 City of Santa Maria di Leuca

 Jim at the end.

 Shopping opportunities at the end of the world.

 Church of Santa Maria Di Leuca. The German Pope was here. Remember, he was the last guy.

We have turned the corner to the Adriatic side. 

Somewhere near Ortranto, sorry that is the best I can do. 

I loved this ladder used to hang plants and I loved Jim by the 

biggest bottles of wine I have ever seen that were not plastic. 

There were actually several more stops for drinks and gelato, but alas, they remain undocumented. 

After a little nap and a SMALL dinner we went downtown for more Nardo at night. 

Cool view of courtyard of B&B

Afore mentioned Aperol Spritz

Pano of the piazza

There were lots of people, kids on bikes, a soccer game being played against the ancient walls, a beautiful breeze, great friends, and a perfect night. It is about 10pm in this picture, but as we left even more people were headed for the city center. 

Santa Maria al Bagno July 31, 2016

We spent all day at the beach. It was super crowded and a total party atmosphere.

Horse shoe beach at Santa Maria al Bagno

The board walk above the beach. Lots of bars to the right.

One of the cool buildings overlooking the beach.

Public beach

Private beach

Happy beach goers at the end of the day after a gelato.