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Trani to Taranto
Mar. 11th, 2009 05:22 pmI went out to busk last night in Trani knowing that foot traffic was light and that there wasn't really a good pitch in the city. It has a stunningly beautiful historic district full of pedestrian-only streets, but like most Italian cities people take their evening stroll through the modern (and often fairly ugly) commercial districts. In many cities these areas are also pedestrianized, but they weren't in Trani so I had to fake it by setting up in the town's main piazza.
As I'd expected, the busking was not particularly profitable (which is being generous). However it was extremely important to me that I give it a try, since it was my first new city on this tour. The next new city will probably be Dubrovnik, in Croatia, which intimidates the bejeezus out of me as total terra incognita. So, in essence, I felt like I had to give a new place a shot in order to get over some of the colossal nervousness I've got building up over the next one. And, to be honest, I had a great time. I didn't make anything more than pocket change, but I had several really good conversations and got to meet the guy whose job it is to play the fantastic cathedral organ I'd taken pictures of just a few hours before.
Now I'm tucked into Taranto, having decided to take a pass on Matera for a future trip. I had trouble reserving a room there at a rate I liked, so I called back the hotel in Taranto that had quoted me a price too high for my budget last time. They must have made a mistake then, because this time the rate was back to what I paid last year (maybe they thought I'd asked for a double). It felt like a sign. In any event, I arrived safely and expeditiously and have both MTV and wifi in my room, which feels totally indulgent. It has decided to rain tonight (going from sunny to pouring in about twenty minutes), so I've even got an evening off with a stunningly beautiful forecast for the weekend. To top it all off with a cherry I bought a bottle of local rosato (rosé) that was recommended in the "Vino Italiano" book that I've been devouring as casual reading. It's the first wine I've had since I left Rome last week, and is quite delightful.
So here's hoping the city is anywhere near as good to me as it was last year, and I'm thrilled to be back!
As I'd expected, the busking was not particularly profitable (which is being generous). However it was extremely important to me that I give it a try, since it was my first new city on this tour. The next new city will probably be Dubrovnik, in Croatia, which intimidates the bejeezus out of me as total terra incognita. So, in essence, I felt like I had to give a new place a shot in order to get over some of the colossal nervousness I've got building up over the next one. And, to be honest, I had a great time. I didn't make anything more than pocket change, but I had several really good conversations and got to meet the guy whose job it is to play the fantastic cathedral organ I'd taken pictures of just a few hours before.
Now I'm tucked into Taranto, having decided to take a pass on Matera for a future trip. I had trouble reserving a room there at a rate I liked, so I called back the hotel in Taranto that had quoted me a price too high for my budget last time. They must have made a mistake then, because this time the rate was back to what I paid last year (maybe they thought I'd asked for a double). It felt like a sign. In any event, I arrived safely and expeditiously and have both MTV and wifi in my room, which feels totally indulgent. It has decided to rain tonight (going from sunny to pouring in about twenty minutes), so I've even got an evening off with a stunningly beautiful forecast for the weekend. To top it all off with a cherry I bought a bottle of local rosato (rosé) that was recommended in the "Vino Italiano" book that I've been devouring as casual reading. It's the first wine I've had since I left Rome last week, and is quite delightful.
So here's hoping the city is anywhere near as good to me as it was last year, and I'm thrilled to be back!
