Today is our first day in Lecce. We woke to a blue sky through our balcony doors.
We live on a small “piazzetta,” small square, in Centro Storico, the city center and oldest neighborhood in Lecce.
Beginning with a 7 am wander through the narrow alleys of our neighborhood, we emerged in the local piazza to find a bar for morning coffee and pasticceria, for a pasticcioto (little Italian cake filled with custard creme) a standby for breakfast in Salento.
After a few hours of wandering we returned home to our Appartamento San Matteo.
And started writing…
MedFlies 
Good to hear from you! When I studied Italian and Spanish it was a real mixup! So I concentrated on Spanish, more useful if you live in the US…
Abbracci…abrazos…
Barbara Werren
PS: I don’t have a proper website address, but if interested in all 200 some of my travel videos on You Tube, just Google: werrenskis YouTube videos
Looking forward to following you and Dana as you explore the boot of Italy. The architecture doesn’t disappoint. The photos that Dana takes are always spectacular. The streets and plazas look so deserted. Will you be taking Italian language classes or just relying on the Italian you’ve been able to pick up before you arrived? For those of us who are in the snow belt, so enjoy seeing such beautiful sunny blue skies.
Hi Maryl, We walked early in the morning so there were fewer people out. We went out again around 5:30 pm and saw many more strollers. One of the things I love is Italians walk arm and arm, especially older couples and friends of both sexes. We live in a ZTL, restricted traffic zone. Cars are only allowed in for a few hours a day, mostly to accomodate residents. Even so, we are amazed at cars maneuvering through the narrow, narrow alleys.
I am not taking Italian while I am here. Have been studying via Duolingo and another program “Ripeti Con Me.” The approach to language is learning to speak as a child learns, by repetition. Now that I am here the conversation is so lyrical and fast I pick up random words but miss the meaning. I am looking forward to making progress as the months go by. Jill
Soooooo happy to see that you are truly there. Sending love!
Amore back to you.
Ciao and Wow! Down in the heel of Italy! A bit off the beaten path, at least for me – I had never heard of Lecce – but as with almost all Italian towns, it looks beautiful.
We first met at a Spanish school in Guanajuato, and had lunch one time in Santa Fe, when we were down there for the operas.
After not having traveled for almost 2 years, I finally had a wonderful trip to Portugal and Spain in October 2021. I just returned from Antarctica…Pehguins, whales, amazing glacial scenery…but COLD! I’m ready for somewhere warm!
My husband, Ernie, can no longer travel because of being 94 with all kinds of health issues, but I’m still going at 90. I was the oldest person the Antarctica21 company had ever had on one of their expeditions!
Abbracci e baci…
Barbara Werren
werrenskis8@gmail.com
Barbara, Kudos to you for keeping up your extensive travels. Anarctica sounds challenging. Lecce’s temperatures are variable throughout the day. Coldish mornings and evenings with warmer middays right now. Later Spring will be markedly warmer. So great you’re continuing to follow us. Best to Ernie, Jill and Dana
It is fantastico to see you “back on the road again”. I look forward to your “Adventures in Lecce” etc. Thanks for sharing.
Derek, The trip here was long but Comfort Plus and Premium Select seats were a great boon. The last leg was speedily accomplished by our van driver who topped out at 135 kph when the speed limit was 80. We have all heard of Italian driving and he didn’t disappoint. Jill
Fabulous. It is snowing and was bitterly cold here! Cheers Sue:)
Sue, How great you are here. No snow in Lecce and climbs to high 50s around 2 pm. The sun does warm us though. Jill
Halleluiah! You made it!!! At long last. Assume flights went well. Snow here this morning. About three inches. Yesterday was miserable. High winds, wind chill far to low and cloud cover. You look so tiny in that apartment at your desk. Know that you are thrilled to be some place at last. Thanks for the very early photos. Have a wonderful time. Terry
Terry, We do have wind here, not quite as strong as home in Eldorado. We saw a number of balconies with pinwheels spinning. Jill
I love the centro storico; so glad you have an apartment there. Enjoy!
Marty, Our 30 foot ceilings speak of our location. And thank you for correcting Centro Storico. Mixing Italian and English is a challenge. I find Spanish coming to mind to add to the mental maelstrom. The Italians are so kind and tolerant of my transgressions.
Ciao, Jill
I’ve been studying Italian for at least 6 years, and the
Spanish still mixes in!