Andre and Wendy: Monopoli

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.