Today we explored the Matera/Sassi area. Built on the side of a cliff with stairs that seem randomly laid out. The only sense of direction one can rely on is up/down. Up gets you to the modern city. Down gets you to a road that overlooks the canyon. Side to side you are out of luck. A map has limited utility (few of the roads are marked) and don't get me started on Google maps. We were still able to get around with only a little drama.
As we were checking out, the host reminded us that they do not accept credit cards. I was assigned to find the nearest ATM machine while Ann finished packing. This was no easy feat. Our host told me the nearest ATM was at the Piazza S. Francesco, "Up step step step". So up step step step I went. Every 100 feet or so I was at some sort of intersection that brought about a few minutes of consideration. Is that way up or is that way up? After getting to the top I found myself at the Piazza del Sedile. I checked the map. Cool, it is near my destination. However, ever time I walked in a direction, it brought me to no closer to my goal. After about 20 minutes, I looked up and saw the BANKCOMAT sign(above my original location). As it turns out the two Piazzas were butted up next to each other. The left side is Piazza S. Francesco and the right side is Piazza del Sedile. I would consider them one place but I guess the Italians think differently.
Today we visited the cave dwelling of vico Solitario. A local museum set up to show off how people lived in the Sassi caves. I enclosed a series of photos that describe the scene. This was typical of one family: Mom, Dad and lots of kids along with the family pets. When I mean pets, I mean the family burro and chickens! Yes it looks like they kept a full grown donkey(s) in the home. In the back they stored food for both humans and for the family transportation. We were told the chickens were stored under the bed (Note the bed is raised to maximize the storage space). Water is brought in by buckets from the communal cistern (down the road a bit). Cooking was done in the side niche. Note the weaving loom that was brought out each day and and worked. No kitchen table for all to sit around. They took turns eating on a small side table. I don't want to know where the bathrooms were. We were also told this is how they lived until they were forced out. Note the family picture. It is of the last family that lived in this particular cave.
I am always amazed what conditions people can adapt to. They were happy and in some sense they prospered. I am also left with a sense of guilt. I am going to end here.
Ciao
bill
