4 November 2024: Driving Day from Foligno, Umbria, to Porto Cesareo, Puglia—This was a long driving day for John/Dad. For most of the day, however, it was beautiful weather, i.e., about 70 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. As we got closer to Porto Cesareo, it became partly sunny. Then, again, Porto Cesareo is on the Ionian Sea, and we have learned that weather near the sea can be volatile sometimes. We stopped to purchase gas, and lo and behold, there was a beautiful unobstructed view of a castle perched high up on a hill. We stopped at other service areas along the auto Strada, and we watched the food selection change across the miles. I have always been one to eat mashed potatoes, French fries, and even potato chips in bread, as if to form a sandwich. Now I feel totally legitimated in my culinary preference: Take a look at the French fries in sandwiches with two different fillings! When we arrived at Porto Cesareo, it was already dark. We could not get a good view of the sea. Evidently, however, our room has a sea view, and the beach, Le Dune, in Puglia, is about four houses down the road. I look forward to checking these out tomorrow when it becomes daylight once again. Interestingly, we are the only guests in this B&B right now. The host told us that they kept the B&B open just for us. They were to have closed for the season today, November 4. The host’s keeping the hotel open is a gift to us because we were to have come down here on October 31 had Dad not been hospitalized. That’s just one indicator of just how wonderful ALL of the people we’ve come across in Italy have been! Yes, our host is also benefiting from our stay, but he also did not have to accommodate us,,, and yet, he did. It is Monday, so some businesses are closed for a day of rest; however, we were able to find a wonderful local restaurant/pizzeria at our host’s recommendation that was open today. I tasted Pizza Salentina. it is made with Buffalo mozzarella, and it is topped with datteri tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. It is then baked in a hot wood oven to crisp the dough and cause it to puff up. Yummmmy! It was a bit large, however, because we ordered a basket of fries to share, as well. That just means that we have a ready-made snack one off these days. This unit has a kitchenette (and…a washing machine with outside drying racks! Tomorrow will be a stellar day because…we will be meeting with my cousin, Paola and her husband, whom I have never met! Paola and her hubby LIVE in Porto Cesareo!
Our Travels 