Leaving Alberobello

The week passed by far too quickly, but I really felt I made a lot of progress and built up lots of confidence in the five days of lessons, cooking, wine tasting and chatting with Paola. Here Paola, who was with me three afternoons, Shirley,the other student, and Tiziana, our excellent teacher. 

My last afternoon was spent visiting Locorotunda, which I also immediately liked, in many ways more than Alberobello, which is certainly busier and more touristy. Locorotunda has a very impressive, rounded historical centre, perched on a hill, with slopes covered in vines. It was very hot work getting this photo in the mid afternoon sun!

What a beautifully calm afternoon I spent ambling through the maze of mostly empty alleyways, enjoying the lovely artwork, particularly the house numbers.

The buildings here are hundreds of years old and well- maintained fortunately. The streets are not filled with souvenir shops and houses to rent, and the homes  are obviously still used by locals, who all seemed very friendly.

Near to the cathedral there was a street with the most gorgeous balconies - would have been perfect for a Romeo and Juliet movie!

The contrasts were fantastic - the white stone walls and arches, red umbrellas, wonderful flowerpots and, of course, perfect weather and blue skies.

Some of the artwork was rather unusual, like this one made of paper mache and terracotta. I understood from the explanation, that the head of the Pope had been replaced by a snake's head, inviting people to consider the affect religion could have on society!?

This window below I loved, with its pretty paintings and little watering can.

It was hot, so time to take a break in this picturesque corner in the middle of the old town. What a fabulous place to while away some time, watching the couples wandering hand in hand through the narrow cobbled streets. Very romantic, I thought.

Another fantastic window sill. It was certainly a place to take time to admire the little treasures around me.

This full size donkey, made of wire and able to fly thanks to the ballons, represented fantasy, and that anything is possible! Very unusual!

In these artworks, the artist wanted to show how vital animals are in our lives. I really liked these two tiny artworks at the side of a tiny street. You had to look carefully to find them. It would have been very easy to have missed them. 

Just around the corner was a sight not to be missed, an Italian wedding. It was obviously a grand affair and a fabulous display of the most amazing clothes, so colourful and elegant, along with  the most incredible range of high- heeled shoes I have ever seen outside a shop! How these beautiful ladies were able to walk so gracefully in them on the uneven surfaces, I have no idea. A crowd of us were watching the guests and bride arriving, and all of us commented on the shoes! The difference between how  most of us tourists were clad and the wedding party was unbelievable. Better not to take any selfies at that moment!

So, a final glance at the spectacular view of the surrounding vineyards, olive groves and little groups of trulli before heading back to Alberobello for a final meal with Shirley. It was a great afternoon.