Giovanni, the owner of “Colinetta” gave me the lift to the railway station. I appreciate that – otherwise it is 5 kms walk! I am going south. First I went by regular train to nearby Martina Franca. The old city is here also on the mountain, but surrounded by high, contemporary blocks, so it doesn’t have the charm of Ostuni…
You know that I am the fan of the old trains so it was a plaasure to travel from Martina to Lecce by the old, one-carriage train. Imagine – only 6 passengers on the train! 🙂 Olive trees, prickly pears and wineyards around… After 2,5 h we raached Lecce. A lot of black, noninvited people from Africa on the streets… I know, I must walk more than 2 kms to the city bus terminal…
THE TERMINAL in Lecce is just a big parking. Nobody knows about the bus to Santa Maria Leuca found on internet. I am waiting. No bus… Finally the bus driver of other company says that all buses to Santa Maria are cancelled until… who knows… Yes, internet is fantastic, but there is a lot of garbage in it…
Bad luck! What should I do? The almost empty bus of Salento Link waiting outside the terminal goes to Otranto, half way to Santa Maria. But the driver does want to take me without a ticket. -Go to the bar and buy it! I go, I already know about the Italian bars selling the tickets. But this specific bar does not! The driver is firm and angry, but with the help of the passengers finally he took me up.
Otranto. Late afternoon. No way to find the way to Santa Maria. Friendly and fluent in English Paolo from Bologna helps me to find accommodation for one night. Thank you Paolo! I stay in the little hotel Pietra Verde. Shall I reach Santa Maria di Leuca tomorrow?
