Fishmobile

This mobile fish shop which, if you believe what's written on its blue backdrop, offers "the best of the sea," reminds me of the bookmobile of my childhood in the US.

Crocheted Handicrafts

The town of Alberbello (see previous post here) is known for its handworked crocheted linens. They are very pretty and also quite affordable. One shopowner was very happy and willing to give me a demonstration of how she worked her cotton threads.

 You can see some of her creations on the wall to the right, and on the bench she is seated on.

She told me, "This is all I do all day, every day!"

Polignano a Mare

Polignano Mare is located to the south of Bari on the Adriatic Sea. It is the birthplace of Domenico Modugno, the writer of one of the most famous Italian songs of all times "Volare."

Roadside Shrine

Photo by: John DePasquale

This little shrine was located on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere, at the foot of a large crucified Jesus, on a bluff overlooking the valley leading to the Adriatic Sea from Alberobello.

Photo by: Jessie DePasquale

I'm guessing this cross was situated here in part because the site is quite spectacular, offering a breathtaking 180° panoramic view of olive groves, farm houses, the coastal cities, and the beautiful Adriatic Sea. And certainly, in part, to ask for protection for those driving this curvy road with a dramatic dropoff to one side.

Photo by: me!

Today's post was a photographic collaboration between my parents and myself!

Alberobello

Alberobello is world famous as the Trullo Town. What's a trullo you ask? It's a little round house with this unique conical roof made of limestone slabs piled one atop the other without the benefit of mortar to hold them together. There are many theories behind the origin of the design. One of the more popular theories is that due to high taxation on property the people of the Itria Valley created dry wall constructions so that they could be dismantled when inspectors were in the area. Apparently, they were taxed per roof..no roof, no tax!

These structures can be found throughout the Puglia region, but they are usually used as storage sheds for farm equipment in the countryside. You can see some of my previous trullo shots both from the inside and out here, here and here.

Rutigliano Whistle Festival

Photo by:  Svetlana Kousmenko

The city of Rutigliano, located southwest of Bari, held its 23rd annual ceramic whistle festival in mid-January. The key event of this festival is a national competition for most attractive whistle. This year's theme was "Whistles and Italian Unification" because 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the formation of the republic of Italy. Groups of whistle-makers from all over the country participated in the competition.

Alongside the competition, there is a large street fair set up in the town's historic centre where local whistle-makers hawk their wares. Traditional (and not so traditional) foods are sold on the street and local folk music can be heard.