SummerSimo Travel Troubles Notes and The Purring Page

Puglia, also known as Apulia, is a captivating region located in the southeastern part of Italy, forming the heel of Italy’s “boot.” This region is celebrated for its distinctive landscapes, ranging from the crystal-clear waters of its extensive coastline to the ancient olive groves and vineyards that stretch across its countryside. Puglia is a treasure trove of cultural, historical, and natural wonders, offering a unique blend of experiences for travelers and locals alike.

One of Puglia’s most enchanting features is its coastline, which spans over 800 kilometers and is adorned with some of the most beautiful beaches and sea cliffs in Italy. The azure waters of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas hug the region, creating stunning seascapes that are a paradise for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts. The seaside towns of Polignano a Mare, with its dramatic cliffside settings, and the picturesque fishing village of Gallipoli are just two examples of the coastal gems that await visitors.

Beyond its breathtaking beaches, Puglia is renowned for its architectural and historical landmarks. The region is home to the iconic trulli houses of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These unique limestone dwellings, with their conical roofs, are a testament to the area’s traditional building techniques and cultural heritage. Moreover, the city of Lecce, often referred to as the “Florence of the South,” dazzles visitors with its Baroque architecture, exemplified in its churches, palaces, and public squares.

Puglia’s culinary offerings are another cornerstone of its appeal. The region’s cuisine is a celebration of simple, high-quality ingredients, often harvested from its fertile lands and seas. Dishes such as orecchiette pasta with turnip tops, fresh seafood, and the ubiquitous olive oil, produced from the ancient olive groves dotting the landscape, reflect Puglia’s rich agricultural and maritime traditions. This culinary richness, combined with the region’s burgeoning wine industry, makes Puglia a haven for food and wine enthusiasts.

The rural landscape of Puglia is equally captivating, characterized by its vast expanses of olive groves and vineyards. This agricultural heartland not only contributes to the region’s economy but also adds to its scenic beauty, offering a picturesque backdrop to the quaint villages and towns scattered throughout the countryside. This blend of natural beauty and human cultivation encapsulates the essence of Puglia, making it a region where tradition and nature harmoniously intertwine.

In conclusion, Puglia is a region that wears its heart on its sleeve, offering a rich tapestry of experiences that cater to a wide array of interests. From its stunning coastlines and historical landmarks to its culinary delights and agricultural heritage, Puglia stands as a testament to the beauty and diversity of Italy. Whether you’re seeking relaxation on pristine beaches, exploration of ancient sites, or indulgence in gastronomic delights, Puglia promises a journey filled with discovery and enchantment.

The dolphins go dance on the beaches

The elephants go dance in unknown cemeteries

The clouds go dance at the horizon.

The trains go dance in the museums with fee

And you, where do you go dance?

Come and dance in Puglia (Italian region)

I tremble like a leaf, leaf, leaf.

You keep your head up when you pass by the crane

because it may happen for it to detach and fall down

Hey, tourist, I know you stop in this historical place.

Pay attention! You step over the pass but this land sends you to caos.

You want to breathe the iodine in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas

but here in the golf stinks of sulphur, ’cause the devil is about to come.

Scarry tanning because of the dioxin produced by ILVA

Here you get more red dots than Milva has and then you look like Pimpa.

In the area they sell the best death (reffering to the pollution)

You can find there the one who smoked poison at ENI (Italian energy company)

the one who worked and went in a coma.

Even Gargano smokes with all those forests on fire.

Tourist, you dance and sing while I count the dead people of this country.

Where those sly men who build up companies don’t care about the costs,

they think The Kyoto Protocol is a Japanese erotic movie.

Come and dance in Puglia

where the night is dark, dark, dark.

If you close your eyelids you don’t get to reopen them.

Come and dance and scratch your back too

because you have to dance in Puglia

I tremble like a leaf

perche puo capitare che si stacchi e venga giu.

It’s true, here we throw parties, people are depressed and wasted.

I have a friend who had to get a job in a factory in order to be able to commit suicide

Between a stake that falls and tube that blows up

in that bedlam those who work get bumped off and those who don’t, buy drugs

and make something they can base on until they clutter up the tomb.

‘Come and dance’ in the tomatoes fields

the Mafia enslaves the workers, and if you rise against you get out.

Romanians piled in cubby-holes like peeled tomatoes in cans.

Forced to put up with the blackmailing of the big (important) people, as big as confetti.

Tourist, you stay with the sandals, don’t make a scandal if we are ungrateful

and if we’ve forgotten that we are sons of emigrants.

Mortified, we won’t ruin your trip.

Go, come to Puglia, come to a better life.

Come and dance in Puglia

where the night is dark, dark, dark.

If you close your eyelids you don’t get to reopen them.

Come and dance and scratch your back too

because you have to dance in Puglia

where the hangman is waiting for you.

At the corners of the streets there are swords bigger than king Arthurs’

the abyss opens and you go directly to Hell (to Belzebut/the Devil)

Oh, Puglia of mine

I always carry you inside my heart when I go away

and I think straightaway that I could die without you.

And I think straightaway that I could die even with you.