First Day in Lecce


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Europe » Italy » Apulia » Lecce
September 23rd 2013
Published: September 25th 2013
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Breakfast BasketBreakfast BasketBreakfast Basket

Left outside our door by Elisabetta
We slept the sleep of the dead, but awoke refreshed and seemingly adjusted to local time. We started our day with another incredible basket of homemade goodies from Elisabetta, enjoyed on our patio. We spent a couple off hours exploring the sights of Lecce, with no agenda or schedule, while trying to get our bearings in the very walkable but not well marked town. The traditional rest period from 1:30 to 5 is strictly adhered to, so we followed suit, variously hanging out in our rooftop patio, napping, and fighting the balky wi-fi situation.

At 7 pm we met the cooking school group in the main piazza, and set out for the cooking school, located in ground floor of a palazzo (a converted stable), for a wonderful dinner. The jury is still out on our fellow students, 4 friends who all live on the east coast... Silvestro, our teacher is inscrutable but very knowledgeable, and the staff seem like sweet guys. We'll see what the week brings, a good time or a good story...

See photos below for a better picture (so to speak) of what we are experiencing. Sorry we didn't stick to "photo of the day" format!
Homemade CroissantsHomemade CroissantsHomemade Croissants

Still warm from the oven, some filled with custard


Sharon: GOOD THING-- The "truffle pie" prepared by Elisabetta, not to mention all the other delicious things we ate for breakfast, while sitting on our sunny patio, overlooking all of Lecce. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, without the death part! BAD THING-- Not as much diversity as I was hoping for among our cooking school classmates.

Dave: GOOD THING-- Enjoying lunch of salumi and cheese plate and a nice bottle of wine at Enoteca "00". BAD THING-- Being exposed as a lawyer at dinner with the cooking school group.

Sandy: GOOD THING-- Getting to know the charming town of Lecce. BAD THING-- Overeating already!


Additional photos below
Photos: 28, Displayed: 23


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"Truffle Pie""Truffle Pie"
"Truffle Pie"

An amazing creation of flaky pastry filled with an egg, cheese & truffle mixture
Homemade YogurtHomemade Yogurt
Homemade Yogurt

Also homemade with milk from the cows at PierAngelo's family's farm
Close Up of Bell Tower Close Up of Bell Tower
Close Up of Bell Tower

with Baroque carvings, majolica tile dome and statue of St. Oronzo
Strange Tourist Shuttle in Piazza DuomoStrange Tourist Shuttle in Piazza Duomo
Strange Tourist Shuttle in Piazza Duomo

Kiddie train clashes with Baroque architecture
Paper Mâché FigurinesPaper Mâché Figurines
Paper Mâché Figurines

Many local shops sell these very detailed figurines
Roman Column in Main PiazzaRoman Column in Main Piazza
Roman Column in Main Piazza

Topped by a statue of St. Oronzo, patron saint of Lecce
Roman Amphitheater RuinsRoman Amphitheater Ruins
Roman Amphitheater Ruins

In the piazza Sant'Oronzo
Church of Santa CroceChurch of Santa Croce
Church of Santa Croce

Über Baroque at its finest



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