“We sit on a huge picnic blanket in a park right next to the 16th-century defensive wall. It is my last day here in Lecce. My dear sister has gathered her flatmates to give me a workshop on how to properly prepare the friselle. I take the slice of crispy durum wheat bread and soak it in lukewarm water. Then drip some olive oil on it and add sliced cherry tomatoes, sprinkle some sea salt and dried oregano on top. Friselle is a distinctive element of Southern Italy’s culinary traditions which origins are ancient. When dried this seamen’s bread could be kept for a long time during the sailing trips overseas. Simple, but a hearty meal!” - 11.03.2020 Salve! I am the sister of Vulcanicamente’s volunteer Epp whose posts you have already read here before. The unexpected new virus caused a cancellation of my project in Italy, but gifted me a chance to spend two weeks with my sibling instead. Little did I know that it will also cause a flight cancellation by the airline, some stress and a new ticket costing more than a fortune while postponing my return to Estonia. But here I am today - back at home, in the nature reserve while putting down my memories… Epp took me out for a cup of cappuccino di soia on my very first morning in Lecce. While enjoying the sunrays, chatting and melting Estonian blackcurrant chocolate on our tongue, my face recognition radar’s alarm went off when I saw a familiar face that later turned out to be an Estonian lady living in the same city. A warm coincidence which led to even warmer experiences later. We are both foodies who allow our taste buds to be tickled frequently. In every city, country, continent the local plant based part of the cuisine will be examined thoroughly. Epp took me to her favourite pizza place in the old town, made sure I had a try of all the local sweet pastry varieties, bought me many kg of taralli and provided me meals with the fresh, local veggies, greens, legumes and pasta. I really love the Apulian way of cooking - using what the sea and soil have to offer and cooking with fresh, local and seasonal produce. Fresh from the field and sun-ripened guarantees an intense flavor experience. Simple, but amazing! Morning walks to favourite neighbouring street merchant’s - Lele or Enzo. ...and longer bike rides to outdoor markets. A small shop in Locorotondo selling legumes, candy and crackers. Garnering wine to deal with the lockdown, hahaha. & Studying local birds while Epp is working at La Feltrinelli. “A wanderer” might be given as a middle name for the both of us. Endless wanderings that are never really planned throughout are what we love to do in new environments. Wandering in wild nature or just discovering every corner of an old town or an urban jungle is fascinating: randomly picked cityline took us to the most wild spot near Lecce - Le Cesine Nature Reserve; Epp’s dear friends took us to the seaside near Torre Rinalda by car; an Italian friend Aldo joined us on a trekking day at Porto Selvaggio. And the sweetest couchsurfer Fabio, who we met through the Estonian lady I mentioned before, offered us the seats during his car trip to Grotta di Castellana, Alberobello and Locorotondo. Plus the nightly walks around the calm and magnificent old town. Two weeks were full of adventures that even Epp was surprised by and grateful for. Wandering in San Cataldo and Le Cesine Nature Park. Torre Rinalda - Bosco e paludi di Rauccio - Torre Chianca Porto Selvaggio - Santa Caterina Grotta di Castellana - Alberobello - Locorotondo I got to experience many contrasts, but witness the sweet side of the local living as well. Two weeks is enough to fall in love, but never enough to say I have seen it all. Ciao!
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