Greetings From Italy
Author: Carolyn Peace
Greetings from Trani, Italy.
Carolyn Peace
As several of you are aware, we live in Italy 10 months out of the year. We have been asked what a typical day looks like for us. This is our day:
We have a typical Italian breakfast of yogurt, a sweet cake called a cornetto, and espresso or cappuccino. We are then ready to head out on our four-mile walk along the coast of the Adriatic Sea (the Italians call the walk area the lungomare). We see many other walkers ready to wish us a good morning.
The walk is very peaceful with flowery bushes and the sound of the water. You will see wild rosemary and lavender, along with many lovely flowers, as you stroll along. As we return to our apartment, we will stop for freshly baked bread as well as for fresh fruit and vegetables for the day. It's time for lunch, which is between 1 and 2 p.m. Most of the local shops are closed from 1 until 3 or 4 in the afternoon. They will remain open in the evening until 8 or 9 pm.
In the afternoon, we have several places we can walk and enjoy the beauty of this area of Italy. We can walk to the Villa Communale (large city park), the Jewish District to see the streets lined with flower-draped balconies, the park in the center of town to visit with the local people or to the beautiful white-stone Cathedral. We can walk to the port to watch the fishermen unload their catch of a variety of fish.
Once a week, we treat ourselves to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. We might have a typical Puglian dinner of several vegetable dishes, a variety of meats, local wine, a dessert and espresso. At this restaurant, there is no menu; you are served whatever they have prepared for the day. We might also select a seafood restaurant or a fresh pasta place. Italians are very particular about their food and expect the very best. I should tell you that dinner is not served until 8 pm or later. Prior to going to dinner, the residents here are out walking and visiting with their neighbors. They call this their passeggiata.
We do not have a car here, so walking is a big part of our day. We can always rent a car in a nearby town if we wish to travel around Italy. There is also a very efficient train system here. We have traveled by train to several towns in this area.
When I write again, I will tell you more about the town and its history. I hope you enjoy reading about this part of the world.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Carolyn Peace
Image 1 Caption: Trani Bay
Photo Credit: Carolyn Peace
Image 3 Caption: Walking the coast of the Adriatic Sea
Photo Credit: Carolyn Peace
