Finding my feet..

and I literally mean finding them. I don’t remember the last time I walked this much. Was more adventurous today and used some back streets which meant I also discovered some little restaurant gems I’ve noted for another day. Talking of restaurants, I had lunch at a lovely one. Just a plate of the local speciality. Orecchiette.  Literally “little ears”. It was delicious.

I’m staying in an Airbnb apartment and the host lives across from me via an enclosed courtyard. She’s invited me to have dinner with her and her younger  daughter tonight which is lovely. I’ll be digging for more hints and tips.

So day 2 a bit calmer. Found another more helpful tourist office and starting to think about how I am going to spend my days. The scary train station is near and I’m sure it’s not normally too bad so will give it a go and go visiting.   But only 1 more day here then I’m back to Bari to meet the parents and my sister and bro-in-law who are coming out for my birthday weekend.   Feeling a little bit lonely at the moment. Not so used to just being on my own most of the day. But once I get going that should get better. To be fair a couple of tourists joined me at my table when I stopped for a coffee. But my German is worse than my Italian and French put together ….😉

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And my first slice of pizza…

Don’t really need to write much else.  Made in 5 min from ingredients so fresh the basil was almost rooted!  Delicious.

It’s been a big day. Achieved loads just by getting here. Sadly a bit scary at Lecce station as the police were arresting someone on the platform.   Then I walked with my luggage and having been scared a bit that probably wasn’t the most sensible thing to do. Passed a few dodgy characters. But everyone I have come across since entering the historic part seems friendly enough and the pizza man rocked.   We even had a chat in Italian. Go me…

My first mistake….

So my first mistake. I had a great flight even got a veggie option for brekkie. Coffee was shocking but it was comfy and quick.
Brief wait for previously shamed heavy bag and found shuttle bus to train station waiting outside. Went to ticket office and asked for my train ticket in Italian. Successful but his smile suggested a possible faux par or two. Found the platform. Stairs!!! Not so rejoicing in said heavy case. And so much for “someone will help you”. Not a whisper. Anyway found train, got seat. Felt smug!

Then the ticket inspector came along and speaking no english explained I needed to have validated the ticket before getting on ( and no the ticket office man hadn’t warned me) and I should normally have to pay a €50 fine. Sono inglese. I kept saying. Giving my best smile. Eventually he tutted, scribbled on the ticket and moved on. So. The outcome of this is when in Rome do as the Romans and validate. OK I’m in Bari but that wouldn’t have worked as well!

Sitting in the lounge

….did I mention it’s the business lounge. Well you might as well start a trip like this in style. Don’t panic. I haven’t forgotten my place. My return journey is back at the back of the plane!

So I knew I had an epic fail on the packing front when the check in staff put a heavy label on the bag I knew the pack light theory was well and truly blown.  Mind you she might have been referring to me and that’s before all the pizza and pasta!

It’s busy in the lounge.   But the seats are comfy, the coffee hot and the papers are free!  Not a bad start. Even if it was a very early one.

Next stop Bari…….

Last work day today….

I finished work today for 6 whole weeks!

Can’t quite believe it’s only 6 days to go. The next few days are with family and friends and winding down.  And packing!!!  It isn’t an understatement to say that I hate packing. I travelled for a year around Australia and New Zealand back in 1989/90 and I can honestly say I’ve never been able to pack like that since.  I know I pack too much, the wrong things, the just in case and the downright useless. I know keep it simple. But tell that to the 2 drawers full of bits and pieces and toiletries and books (and yes I have a Kindle but I like books!!) and medicine and…. and….and….and…..  You can see I’m rubbish.  All tips gratefully received.

 

Just practising…

• It’s a beautiful day in Hove so I’m taking advantage and sitting outside having an Americano and doing my Italian homework. This is a view I hope to see a lot on my trip….

Those final decisions

I’m trying to sort out what to do in my final week in Italy and each time I think that I’m sorted, all bases covered, well done me..when it appears – another recommendation..another must see….another if you only have one chance you must go…..  Well you get my drift.  The Internet is a wonderful thing and a curse!  I have a car hired for that week. I have more rooms booked than I need. I have tried to just go with it. But it’s hard. I want to do it all but also not rush anything.  I am lucky that my job means I’ve been able to ask Italians where they would go. Local knowledge helps!  Except it’s all the places on my list….”if you have time”.  Time – can I make these 5 weeks turn into 10. Looks like I might need it…

Oh well back to the map…but i think I’ll leave the decisions to another day!

Who knew there was so much to do…

It may only be for 5 weeks but somehow this trip has required a lot of prep work.

I found my apartment in Lecce nearly 9 months ago so that was the easy bit. My flights were booked at a similar time. Mind you both have since changed timings…..not that BA have officially told me.  Found out that my flight changed from a respectable 1130 am to an unsociable 730. So now a very early start is in order…

But that’s not all.  I’m passing on some tips given to me in case it helps you plus a couple more of my own…

1. Get a credit card that doesn’t charge for overseas transactions just the direct exchange rate of the day…check them out.  Thanks Jo for this one.
2. Get a roll up travel vacuum pack.  Towels melt down to very little. Perfect for an already challenged packing scenario – not looking forward to that but space is limited so this should help
3. Get a double plug socket converter.  Yes you too can charge two things at once!
4. If you plan to hire a car like me then discover the brilliant annual excess insurance you can buy instead of the “cover thingie that hire companies add at the end to scare you with threats of £1000s for denting a wheel hub insurance”.  No idea this existed but it does. Will save a fortune and apparently my dad has known about this for years!!
5. Check you have a safety cushion limit set up on your mobile so you don’t come back to huge bills.
6. Drive yourself mad booking and cancelling hotels and b&bs on booking.com.  Free cancellation is great but choice can sometimes be overwhelming.
7. Take a ball of string. Jo says it’s perfect for impromptu washing lines and all sorts.