20,000
Steps
This
morning we decided to take the train to Monopoli for a change of
scenery. It is only a 30 minute train ride south of Bari, about
7Euro per person return. Very nice train. Remembered to put our
ticket in the machine for validation, in Italy not only do you need
to purchase the ticket, you need to validate it or you will get a
huge fine. There are little machines right by the trains that you
put your ticket in, plus you are reminded on the purchase machine,
but still many tourists get caught up. We were lucky and the train
was waiting when we got to the Central Station which is about a 2km
walk from where we are staying.
Lots
and lots of farming on the way to Monopoli. We are not sure what
everything is because much of the produce is covered in tarps. We do
see something being harvested by hand, maybe lettuce.
From
the Monopoli station it is about a 1KM walk to old town. We found
tourist information and got a map and suggestions about what we
should do for the day. Monopoli old town is right on the water,
different than Bari where they built a road between the water and old
town for easier traffic flow. Monopoli is a slight hill to walk down
from the train station to old town, no steps, but a slight incline,
which we will find out is nasty later in the day.
The
cathedral is one of the must do things when you visit Monopoli we
were told. A miracle occurred in 1117 when a raft carrying an icon
of the Madonna drifted into the harbour. The raft beams were used to
construct the roof of the cathedral. These beams are now on display
in the cathedral. A famous picture of the Madonna and Jesus are on
display behind the alter, it has been a long time since we were in a
church that you climbed stairs up behind the alter to see something.
The whole story was very interesting, and the pictures that are on
display are amazing.
We
visited 3 churches of about 20 that are in old town. Of course we
also visited the harbour with many fishing boats.
After
walking around for about 2 hours the skies opened up. Thunder,
lightning and pouring rain. Really pouring rain. We took shelter in
a archway for a while and then just gave up and started walking
hoping for somewhere to get a pizza and wait out the storm. No such
luck. We had umbrellas, but they didn't help much. Remember the
slight downhill from the train station, well it is an uphill going
back, with streams of rainwater running down them. No sidewalks in
old town, so you are literally walking through rain water that is
running down the streets coming from drainage pipes on peoples roofs.
It was awful, soaking soaking wet shoes and everything else.
Back
to Bari and we debated getting of the train one stop before central
to walk along the waterfront and see the beach that we missed the
other day. They have not had any rain here at all. The wind looks
like it has picked up outside, and we are soaked and think we would
probably freeze walking home so decide walking through town is the
best idea.
Back
home, change into dry clothes, sneakers outside that I am sure will
never dry by tomorrow, a quick lunch and we are out wandering in Bari
again. The streets in Old Town are really fun to just wander without
a map. We are pretty used to it now, and don't seem to get too lost.
Home
for a rest then back out one more time to hit the Gelato place that
had the huge line ups the other day. We now understand why, best
gelato of the vacation so far, but also the most expensive. Also
picked up some fried polenta, which was a dud, will not be purchasing
that again, it fall right in with deep fried pizza for me. Tried it,
won't do it again.
Home
for supper, finishing off leftovers in the fridge as we move on
tomorrow. Hair dryer taken to shoes but I don't think it will make
much difference, good thing we both have 2 pairs of footwear with us.
Looking
forward to new adventures tomorrow.
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| Love these personal grocery cart, some airbnb have them for the guest |
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| Park in front of the train station |
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| Lots of these, not sure what they are covering |
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| First church, lots of soft blues |
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| A manger along the way |
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| Second church |
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| A beautiful painting on the ceiling |
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| Alpha Romeo police car |
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| Maquette of old town |
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| So many of these small alleys |
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| Now at the Cathedral |
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| One of the Chapelle |
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| Painting showing the miracle, there was 4 paintings like this |
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| The outside of the Cathedral |
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| Love the skeleton on this church door |
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| The wall protecting the city |
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| A very old small church |
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| The boats here range from dory to larger ones like this dragger |
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| Love their buoy |
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| Almost got a fish |
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| Killing time waiting for the rain to stop |
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| Where we took shelter under an archway |
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| river on the small streets, we gave up |
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| At the train station coming home |
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| Stopped for a Pistachio McFlurry at McD. More like a sunday, ok but nothing like a gelato. Once will be enough as I had to try it |
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| Out for another walk after resting and drying |
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| Old ruins |
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| How they deliver ice in old town to the restaurants |
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| Been in business since the late 1800 |
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| It was a 10 but expensive |
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| Deep fried Polenta, once will be enough |
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| The local ladies in from of a Salami and cheese shop. |
