22 October 2024–Uggh! Dad’s still sick! It was a rough night once again—no more vomiting, but other nasty (for him) symptoms! The room we had in Sorrento was actually like a hotel room, with one bed, one bathroom, and nothing else. I didn’t Want to bee so close to Dad overnight,, but there was nowhere to go, nowhere to be. It was a rough one for both of us in different ways. Dad did get out of bed to drive from Sorrento to Alberobello because we had already booked Alberobello and because, I suspect, he knew I was looking forward to spending a few days in those charming little Trulli (they look like hobbit houses) there! Additionally, both of us sensed/hoped that perhaps those accommodations would afford us a little bit more space, some better options for some social distancing/privacy while Dad recuperated. Dad managed to drive, with lots of stops to snooze or try to rest…. Thank God we made it safely to Alberobello! Oh—and the weather was good yesterday AND today! As we travelled across this southern part of the Italian peninsula, we saw vineyards and LOTS and LOTS of olive trees. This region is known for its olive oil production! Dad rested indoors for a few hours while I explored on foot. This place is MAGICAL! This is a whole village of Trulli, cone-shaped light-brick dwellings that look like something out of a fairytale. In fact, if this were the story of Little Red Riding Hood, I would like to be the Grandma who does not live in a forest, but rather in the Trulli like the one we’ve got, and Little Red Riding Hood would come to visit me down the charming light-brick street…. Even the beautiful Church of Sant’Antonio is a Trulli edifice! Our unit is a whole Trulli house. Everything about it is adorable and fun! There are flowers on the outside inn flower pot after flower pot, and it has two beds in separate rooms. One bathroom only but some circulation and a little distance from germs at least! We also have a private patio, also so very, very charming! The other end of the main pedestrian-only road is a descent into a huge piazza with light-brick pavement. When the light shines on the pavement, it looks like light marble from a distance. There in the piazza, I saw more bars, cafes, pastry s hops, and even a musical instrument suggesting that there might be a live performer later on. These Trulli are UNESCO world heritage sites. We ate at a restaurant across the road from our Trulli. I had all the delicious olives offered to us. I had most of the polpette di pane (poor food—made by the owner—meatballs with bread, no meat) in tomato sauce, orecchiette pasta with basil, olive oil, garlic, and turnip greens, a local specialty. Dad had a bite of his orecchiette with a light dressing of tomato sauce, but he could not eat the great majority. We brought it home for hopefully tomorrow when Dad might hopefully feel a little better. He still was not well, so we came back home early. Now, to get Dad well again…and eating again…and enjoying again…. There is so much beauty all around!
Our Travels 