Here I am at the end of my stay in Matera. Once again it seemed like such a long stay and once again its hard to believe where it has gone. I’m glad I was here for 10 days.People rush in and rush out but more time gives you the opportunity to get into the rhythm of life and to see beyond the tourist trail. I like that. But back to where I left off which was Sunday. As always I went out to dinner but it was unremarkable, in fact a little less that that. I ordered mixed fish grill and expected at least some fish but all I got was octopus/ squid…tough at that!! Wont go back there.
Monday. I made another attempt to find someone to take me outside the city to see some sites in the ‘hinterland’. But to no avail. If you are alone they really don’t want to deal with you because they have to try and hook you up with someone else’s tour…they are all tailor made tours for families or small groups. I don’t fit so I gave up on that. I then walked up to the castle on the (little) hill. It is rather neglected and not open but there were no tourists around so I sat in the shade under the pine trees and read my book. There was a lovely breeze so it was very nice. Walking back I looked at small backpacks which may have solved my luggage problem for the flight but they were too expensive. I always fret when I have to get on a plane…will my luggage weigh too much (probably), will I have too much hand luggage (probably) etc etc.
I came back to get out of the sun for a while then went out wandering again. For dinner I went back to a place I’d been before, that was OK.
Yesterday I was on a mission to find these whistle things that Chris asked me to look for and get her one. I searched Matera with people sending me this way and that. Didn’t finish the mission, had to do that today. I then went to the archeological museum which was interesting. When I came back home the thunder and lightning started up and the rain came down. It was lovely to be inside watching the black clouds rumble over the Sassi. Quite an amazing sight. Then I went out again, this time to a new restaurant I’d had my eye on in the new town. I think it is the best one so far but again jam packed. I got there early so got a table for myself but soon everyone was being turned away, or being told to come back later. For some weird reason I feel guilty when I have a table to myself…and I feel as if I have to have a primi and a secondi or I won’t be worth it (weird I know)!! Anyway the food was absolutely delicious, they were so nice to me. Far from rushing me they gave me an aperitivo to finish up (god knows what it was).
Today, my last day. I set off after coffee down to the depths of the Sassi looking for Chris’ whistle. Again people are so helpful. I finally found out that the man who made them has closed up shop. His cave was owned by the government and he had to leave it. But I found the daughter of the man who learnt his trade from the original man. He makes different ones but at least I’ve got something. Apparently no-one has seen the original man for some time so maybe he died. Anyway the daughter was delightful and she also makes some beautiful stuff….more to carry I’m afraid!! While I was in the Sassi the thunder was rolling all around me quite dramatically with accompanying bolts of lightning. It was so sensational. Then while I was in the shop the heavens opened and the rain just poured down. Fortunately I’d got out of my thongs and I took refuge in the shop for ages before I ventured out and climbed up out of the Sassi. I didn’t get too wet. I came home and now I must try a trial pack to see if I need to go and buy a backpack…I’m hoping to get away with it!!
Tomorrow morning I get a bus from here to Bari Airport, then a flight to Trieste where Chris is to meet me at the airport. Hopefully all will go well and tomorrow night I’ll be sitting on a terrace overlooking the beach. No WiFi I’m told so I’ll be reliant on finding a cafe somewhere which probably won’t be easy. I do have the 3G in my iPad which has Skype….hopefully that will work.