Il Chiostro delle Cererie Matera

... a program where they would give away properties in the Sassi if you would renovate them and make them “livable” while maintaining the historic integrity and appearance of the area.

Today nearly 50% of the Sassi buildings have been renovated and are now occupied. You can still wander the streets of the remaining abandoned area and see just how horrible the living conditions must have been. The area is so primitive that is was used as the setting for many ...

... are built into the rock face, often with just discernible faded frescoes painted onto the walls. There really is a biblical aspect to the landscape, and it comes as no surprise that the town was used as the setting for Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ’. ‘Simply Perfect’, he is reported to have said when first seeing Matera, and it isn’t hard to see why.

This is where Pietro, an old Italian guy, jumped into Bruce and navigated us to the trulli. He saved us from a traffic jam in the narrow streets of Puglia.

Pete was also called Pietro while in Italy. :-)

Trullo comes from the Greek word, "tholos" – meaning “dome”. See the pictures of the wee houses.

We found the Belvedere pub here too - also the name of our local in Aus – meaning “beautiful view”. It was beautiful.

... sleeping bags out on the deck outside. The weather was amazing and we slept in peace and privacy.

The disorganization continued of course.
After realizing that we were dropped into the armpit of Italy and then attempting to cross a desert followed by mountains we decided to look into taking a train as we know we probably wouldn't make it to Rome in time with out train help anyway.

If we were in france we'd show up to ...

... so that heaps of films have been made there, King David with Richard Gere and Mel Gibsonīs The Passion of the Christ amongst them.



We arrived late afternoon and looked down on the valley of houses from the main square, and in the distance saw a campervan on the edge of a cliff the other side of the valley, a km or so away. Now wouldnīt that be a cool spot to spend the night, wake up with a cup of ...

... day I also rang my grandfather in Australia because I wanted to speak with him in Italian. I thought I knew enough to hold a conversation with him. He was very glad to hear from me - and we spoke pretty much all in Italian which is amazing and something I've always wanted to be able to do. So I look forward to learning more so I can coonverse with him even better, and read about the histroy of Sicily which my grandfather has written in Italian.

... hostel was situated right in the middle of this old section of the town, so that I was able to dine, work and nap surrounded by this tranquil, yet lively village. I am continuing towards Bari tomorrow and then to Greece. I am excited to head back out on the road in an unfamiliar territory but in the same time I am already feeling a little sad to leave. All in all, I have had a wonderful time here in Italy; I am sure I will be back sooner than later.

... were very paciante and understanding. The hotel I stayed in was a one star hotel. For 15 E I got a small, fifties style room with a little closet and a table. The hotel and Bar, below it, were run by a family - brother, sister and two parents (and one bossy mother!). The next day I continued towards Matera. I arrived in Matera at about 13:30, after having my tuna sandwich in the outskirts, surrounded by meadows, sheep and cows.

Short ride yet breathtaking. Via Appia is magnificent! An ancient roman road which is situated comfortably on the mountains above the highway is also amerced in natural forest and meadows, dotted here and there by small town houses, grazing sheep, pigs or hens. There is barely any traffic on the road - definite a bikers heaven. The mountain peaks reach a hight of more than 1000 m.

... as it's after 10 by now. Back to the Spirito Divino we go, and watch some northern Argentinian folkloric dancing by 2 young couples, then they come back half an hour later and do a set of tangos (they're hoping to open up a tango school here), and finally we go home about 3am, walking through the Sassi.
Next morning I'm up early, say goodbye to everybody (Dad sheds a little tear), and take my zia Ciccina back with me to Sicily (all the time quietly suggesting that I slow down).