I didnt recongnize you until you smiled...

This was the strange comment I received at the Microsoft store in Atlanta, Ga
I have the one year training program and I am SURE they do not expect clients to come every week.

Well they were in for a surprise when I signed on.....

I am on first name basis with most of the staff but a few are really tired of working with me....

Too bad.......

But this week while waiting for a training session,   I was surprised when one of the staff who I had spoken with about Italy (another Italian American I have met)   said " I didn't recognize you until you smiled".     It occurred to me that now that I have reached the age of 'invisibility' I don't make the effort to stand out.   

And how  strange because almost 24/7 I am happier than I have every been.  Happier than when I made enough money to 'buy things' to make me happy.   Life is very strange.

But becoming invisible was one of the big surprises.     Unless you are strange, forceful or wear something outlandish   a 'mature' person can travel through the mall, the grocery store or even on a busy street and NEVER BE NOTICED......

Solo Traveler at the weekend market

Focusing on Home to Italy I often neglect to share how I solo travel in Italy 30 days or more every year when possible.

photo is from the website listed below

And every year I learn more about the places I as a solo traveler can spend the day or a few hours and blend into the crowd. 

Weekend markets are a GREAT place to meet or just watch the residents of a town or city.  There is so much to be learned from the items they sell at antique, food or even our equivalent to a garage sale.     Along with a trip to the super mercato I often have some understanding of day to day life or at least a list of questions to try to answer before I leave.

Lesley who has co owns Villa Magnolia  Puglia  
http://www.villamagnoliaitaly.com,  mentioned that she visits a market EVERY week and shared a wonderful web site with me that lists ALL the markets throughout Italy!    I am in heaven.   http://www.lamescolanza.com/mercatini/puglia.htm.  
Before my next trip Home to Italy, I will print out a list of all the markets in the towns I plan to visit.

Leslie also tells me how to negotiate in Italy:

"Each and every Sunday an Antique Market is held somewhere in Puglia .  We go to the Ostuni Market, the Martina Franca Market and  the Market near Lecce held on the last Sunday of each month.  It is great fun to go to these markets...we have purchased many items for Villa Magnolia eg; rugs, lamps, mirrors, vases, tapestries, furniture &  more.

Obviously when you are interested in an Item never let the seller know, just offer half the asking price and watch his reaction, walk away then return later with an offer slightly higher, in Italy the art of bartering is fun and the perfect place to do this is at markets. All furniture and accessories inside Villa Magnolia are authentic Italian, most of which date back to 1800's."

Inside and outside Villa Magnolia I can see in her on line photos some of the treasures she has found in those markets.  

               

 

Nothing Shall Keep Me From My Adventure In Puglia!

After the turmoil from the hurricane in the North East (USA)  and multiple delays I arrived in Italy this week to be faced with a train strike that might delay my adventure in Puglia that our travel friend Yle has created.  www.yltour.com

Last year Yle listened to my 'dream ' trip to Italy and created a day that offered me all the experiences I asked for.   So there was no hesitation when I asked Yle to help me create a short adventure that takes me to places I could not find on my own.   And as a solo traveler it is often difficult for me to experience all the adventures I would like.

 

After years of doing all my own travel planning it is time to ask an expert for help.   Yle will give me suggestions and detailed directions.  More importantly, I  will gain entrance into places I have never been on any of the 15+ trips Home to Italy.

We are still fine tuning my adventure for December but here is a basic outline:

         Yle has arranged an apartment in Lecce a few minutes from the center of town and the train station.  This allows me to join in the daily live of Lecce and offers easy access to daily train trips.

Here I can cook if I wish and perhaps invite new 'friends' over.

Day One: 
Language lessons:

Ashort re introduction to conversational Italian.     Since i only speak Italian once a year while on my yearly Home to Italy adventure,  it will be helpful to have a tutor to work with me on my language skills.    I have already been told on this trip that i 'speak Italian con una bambina'.   Not very supportive.

Yle has planned a detailed walking tour of Lecce for me to begin my photo adventure.   Lecce has wonderful carved stone facades that stop you in your tracks, crannying your neck to see the soaring peaks of a church or the pediment on a palace.   

The walking tour includes stops at shops selling local hand/craft and art products.

Yle gives me suggestions on places for lunch OR where I can find items for a picnic and a good place to have a picnic.    

Day 2:  Language lesson for skills on train travel since I shall be off on the local train later today.

 Day trip to Ostuni, a stop in Alberobella and Martina Franca if there is time.   Wonderful photo opportunities and perhaps some visits to local artists.

Yle has supplied me with the details on ticket purchase and train schedule.  Off I go, will I find my way back?

Day 3:  Language lesson will cover simple shopping skills

A tour of the local markets for fresh foods.  Yle has told me about her program for cooking, shopping and eating healthy foods that improve your life, health and I hope weight!  So this week I shall follow her outline in addition to walking miles each day, let's see what the result is.

Eating in Italy and losing weight usually do not appear in the same sentence.

Yle and I are working on a number of other events I might take part in:   a painting lesson, visiting a local olive farm, wine tasting, learning how artist carve the beautiful stone that is native to Lecce, a visti with some of the 'mature residents in town, experiencing the local hair dresser.   I have many Italian events I wish to try.

Yle has fantastic cooking lessons available, however cooking is not on my list of fun events, I hope she can find me an opportunity to 'eat with a family' while I am in Lecce.  

If not I think a restaurant tour would be fun......  

Each day includes an opportunity to practice Italian, photography the daily life of Puglia and enjoy outstanding towns and cities.  How could this be any better?   Well to have 5 days instead of 3!

 Check back with Yle and Lee to see where we traveled, who we met and what we saw!