Today I decided to take a drive to Francavilla. It's kind of close and I could get there by way of back roads and not the highway (Auto Strada). I did get to drive through several olive farms observing the very start of the olive harvest. Tractors driven by elderly men were the only vehicles I met along these narrow, bumpy roads. Althought the olives are very tiny right now, there is much work to be done to get ready.
Francavilla was not a small town but is probably considered so by the residents there. The roads were made of blocks of granite and lava rock. I don't know when they were built but before I leave Italy I need to know. I believe they were built by the Romans and have not been worked on since. Extremely durable. I stopped at an outdoor cafe' for something to eat. But as I am well aware, in Italy breakfast is only espresso and some kind of pastry. I opted for cookies and an espresso with milk. There is really no such thing as "coffee to go". The espresso is of course served in an espresso cup and a cup of water as a chaser is served along side to wash it down. It is very strong.
Everyone SMOKES! There are all ages sitting at the cafe's smoking as well as butts everywhere. I don't know the price of cigarettes but the price of gas remains the same; $8.00/gal. I've never known it to be any different. There is a lot of garbage along the roads.
After Francavilla I drove through the smaller towns of Sava, Menduria, Oria, Latiano and Messagne. The roads through each town were very narrow and many were one-way. I learned right away what to look for so I wouldn't go down a one-way road again. People do love to blow their horns though. And not only at me. On the Autostrada coming back I maintained the posted speed of 110KMH. MANY cars passed me going a lot faster. Peugot is a popular car here as well as VW. Fiats of course are everywhere and cars with names I don't recognize.
It was a fun day but as soon as I headed back East and I saw the ocean again, I was happy.
Some quick notes about the food so far:
The fresh garlic has NO taste. I will continue to look elsewhere at other markets though.
The long hot peppers that I thought would have some heat---do not
I passed by one veggie stand where I saw Roma tomatoes but couldn't stop. In town here-no Romas.
I cannot find organic olive oil in any of the stores.
I cannot find real cream for my coffee. But will look elsewhere
The peaches are excellent. As well as the grapes
Marinated olives, cheese and bread all good from the market
Tomorrow I think I shall get a fresh roll. Put some cheese and peppers on it and find a quiet beach and read.
The beach outside my door is full of "OLD'' people and little kids.
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