In Italia ....In Italy ...

It was  nice  to be there again ,  with Priscilla this time. Things were as they always are there,  visually... familiar things and family…As always,  the first photos I take are of the Piazza and the Adriatic Sea,  taken from the balcony of mom's 3rd floor apartment,  which is where we stayed this time...  at sunrise on our first day in Mola.  Being the off-season,  there were  fewer tourists around and it was less hectic,  which was nice.  Jet lag got the best of me,  and lots of Espresso's didn't help with sleeping much...  we spent lots of time with family and visited new places,  and favorite places too...  Mola Di Bari,  Alberobello,  Matera,  Poligniano,  Grottaglie, Ostuni,  Cisternino,  Monopoli... love them all.  Matera's  ancient cave dwellings are amazing,  and Grottaglie's ceramics are unbelievably gorgeous,  and hard to resist,   but Alberobello is my favorite and we decided to spend one night there  in a Trullo.  The one we stayed in was built in the 1800's.   It was authentic,  comfortable and  so charming... an experience we will  definitely want to repeat.  It was a great trip!

 

Bella Italia... Beautiful Italy...

The beauty of Italy ia never ending... But as much as I love the archetecture of the great cities,  I have a great love for the southern countryside dotted by little villages. One of my favorite villages being Alberobello.  The Trulli homes are so unique and charming surrounded by seemingly never ending acres of olive orchards.  Matera was amazing with it's ancient history and amazing homes  and churches which were built into the caves...  Ostuni, " The White City" is lovely,   perched up on a hillside overlooking the Adriatic Sea. 

Pronta Per La Vacanza… Ready For My Vacation…

I'm excited…  happy…  sort of sad…  and,   ready for my trip to Italy.  Can't wait to see all the family that I haven't seen for quite a while!  A little sad that I am going without Jim and Priscilla,  and leaving family, friends,  garden,  and all of the things that I love about being home.  It will be great though!  It's kind of crazy to think that I am leaving in late summer,  but when I come home,  it will be Fall.  Can't wait!