Matera is known for its sweet (and not very spicy) peppers that they like to deep fry so they become nice and crispy. I had a pasta dish made with a sweet pepper sauce, a selection of cheeses served with a sweet pepper jam, and even a chocolate cake made with orange marmalade and sweet pepper. It was delicious!
In Matera, we were able to witness a very special event that only happens once per year. Shortly after sunset, everyone living in one of the cave districts turned out their lights and lit candles instead. The entire district glowed with the light of hundreds of candles. Then, at the church perched on a ridge above the district, a choir sang classical songs that echoed throughout the canyon. Between the chilly evening, candles, and choral music, it almost felt like Christmas!
My favorite activity this week was visiting the villa of Emperor Hadrian in Tivoli on the outskirts of Rome. It is one of the best-preserved Roman archaeological sites, and I loved walking around between the bathhouses and fountains and imagining what it was like when Hadrian and his court lived and worked there.
During this trip, I’ve been reading a book called “My Brilliant Friend” by Elena Ferrante. It’s the story of a young girl and her best friend growing up in Napoli, Italy, where my tour finishes. It has been fun reading about the experiences of a local person, and I hope it helps me better understand and connect with the culture when I arrive in Napoli.
