A SCIROCCO or a TRAMONTA WIND

Sunday, September 15, 2013
Gallipoli, Puglia, Italy
If you are heading to the beaches you need to know the winds to determine which beach you should choose. Today's choice was Gallipoli, about a half hour southwest. It is a town in the sea. To reach the historic center you go over a small causeway by a huge fort. The antique core is surrounded by water. One side has beaches, one side has rocks. In the distance is a small island with a lighthouse. Sunday, everyone is out, fisherman have piles and piles of nets on the docks. The locals are laying right out on the rocks, families have gathered at the beach area.  

We head into the center, where it is cooler,it is very hot and sunny . The Centro is filled with shops, we try scarpese, a tasty combination of anchovies, breadcrumbs and saffron. A short walk and WE decide to head for the beach.....the tourist office says Baia Verde, so we go. All along this beach, we see private clubs, we stop at one, they give us a locker, two comfy lounges and an umbrella for 10 euros. Perfetto the water is Crystal clear and warm, Giancarlo swims in, I 
put my feet in. I am a curiosity, not because I stick out like a sore thumb, because I am the ONLY woman not wearing a two piece as far as we can see. Who would have thought that would separate me apart from my Italian sisters.....

They sell everything on the beach, sneakers,bags, beach cover ups,glasses,toys, jewelry,drinks, pannini. We opt for a pannini- fresh tuna, tomato,pepper,moist mozzarella-what is better than this. We spend the entire afternoon at the shore, reading, people watching and listening to American music, some crazy tunes,"I'm just a cool cat forever chasing dogs"
Return drive takes us along the Rocky west coast dotted with "Torre", huge rocks and back to Lecce .

We head for la Osteria Vecchia which has been recommended twice, it is right around the corner, but of course we can' t find it, we head back to the b &b, look at the map and are there in two minutes. We order an appetizer of "meatballs and potatoes, it's just OK. Charles has shrimp and pasta, only these shrimp have heads and claws but he likes it. I decide to try a local pasta with tomato sauce and goats cheese, but the pasta is very, very heavy, not happy. We walk around town, still lots of people about. WE head to a section where there are bars and music, we meet the Dublin gals who are sitting at a high table on the street, we are so delighted to see them ,a small chance in such a big city They happily tell us they have had a wonderful dinner in a great restaurant, la vecchia Osteria, and they loved it. What a kicker, I guess it all depends on your choices. They chose fish and sausages and claimed it was the best. We say our good byes, they are heading further south to Otranto, we walk back through another city that never sleeps. Or so it seems.
Other Entries

Photos & Videos

Comments

Dawn
2013-09-16

Thank you for giving me my daily fix of Italia. Mar, even the simplest of days becomes an adventure. My wish would be for and Giancarlo to bottle some of the simplicity that makes for a sweet life and bring it home for us to share. Just think, tomorrow will bring another adventure and hopefully, a better dinner. Tanti baci
Aurora

vivian and jeff
2013-09-16

Following you on your trip

pam
2013-09-16

I look to your blog everyday. You and Giancarlo really know how to make the most of your adventures. Iagree with Dawn wish you could bottle the life there and share it with us here at home. Enjoy. Love pam

Nancy & Rich
2013-09-17

A day sitting on an Italian beach in such comfort sounds wonderful. Interesting about the two piece bathing suites. I guess easier to go topless. So glad you"re having a wonderful time.

2025-02-15

Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank