Leaving for Leece was an quite interesting travel that is located in the southeast region of Puglia which is considered the heel portion of the country as Matera appears in the central part of Italy. First of all, trains usually don't function on Sundays so everything is limited including buses. Even though I had to take one, there was no other option or pay ridiculous price for a hired driver to my destination. So I took the bus to Bari which is at a seaport city that is useful as a transfer stop to either going north or south.
Funny thing that happened was, I was supposed to buy a bus ticket at these newspaper-like stands called 'Tabacchi' initially after the first town we stopped at after leaving Matera due to the bus and train terminal being closed at Matera and the driver doesn't sell bus tickets, so I didn't. I was under the impression that I could pay for the ticket at the Bari train and bus terminal since few others followed my decision but that oddly turned out different.
When we arrived at the Bari station, I was trying to explain to the driver in english that I didn't buy a ticket earlier in the trip and asking him where to buy it around the terminal, but of course he's not going to fully understand my english so I just got off he bus and headed to the station with confusion and a free ride to my next departure. I would not advise anyone to do same thing but it might work from a small town than a city and most likely on a Sunday, I just got lucky with a free pass. The buses at the terminal didn't seem right so I took the train which was easier and faster to get to Leece.
This city has baroque style buildings and judging from people's reactions of what they say about Florence in the past, you can make an arguement about Leece being the same but located in the south with less tourists. Some time after arriving in Leece station, I headed towards old town since it was in walking distance for me even I didn't know where I was going, I was still try to look for my hotel. While I stopped by few places to take photos of the outside architecture, I was approached by few Americans one from San Francisco, the other two probably Los Angeles area, one worked for NBC and the other worked on the Jay Leno show as one those guys that do funny skits. I don't recall the gentleman's character or name from the show but from the looks of the postcard he gave me, had to be from the 90s since it looked old but one image of him appearing as the Quaker oats oatmeal cannister guy seemed familiar.
Even though this city is small, I felt the presence of people enjoying being around in old town at the main piazza. Interesting enough how I was getting looks of being the one and only person wearing shorts in the evening while it was cold even though I knew I shouldn't have worn them let alone going into a church with them, which leads me into the dress attire code for Italy. In the south, they're more conservative even if its a scorching hot climate at that specific time, people still dress up or at least wear full pants and the ladies don't wear outfits that will reveal their shoulders and thaw including going into churches. I guess its the culture of showing respect for you and others. The teatro greco theater was a great view even though it was under renovation, it might not Gladiator style from Rome's coliseum but its definitely a place to see in person that you can visual what type of entertainment would the audience be instore for.
They have flea market type of streets that sells all kinds of goods which will peak your interests if you can bargain with them in speaking little to no italian. The one thing I noticed in the cities and towns I visited in the south, the people tend to be more friendly and warmth than their counter parts in the north, based on people I met from what they say but of course not everyone will fit in that sterotype which is an interesting observation. Time to head towards the land of the Mafia. Chao.
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