Renée
We both celebrated Christmas Day with our families, at home. Boxing Day we went back to Lecce, beautiful beautiful Lecce.
We didn't tell everyone when we would be back. Some of our friends knew we were coming sometime in December, but I don't think any of them knew exactly when, except Marta.
It couldn't be otherwise, because we stayed in Marta's empty house. The house she would later rent for longer periods.
Back to Italy
We were over-enthusiastic on the plane. Firstly because we saw each other again after a few months, but also because Italy was our destination.
What we had thought a little less about was the six-hour layover in Rome. Besides having to wait six hours at the airport, we had to be at Schiphol very early earlier. Five o'clock in the morning, or four hours out of bed.
Sleeping wing
I wouldn't know by god why I persuaded my best friend to choose this flight. Especially given the fact that I can't be woken up before 7.00:XNUMX am. Let the fire alarm go off endlessly, I turn around and continue sleeping peacefully.
We found a place at the airport of Rome to sleep for a while, which worked out very well. The fact that we did not miss our flight to Lecce is a wonder of the world in retrospect.
In the taxi I saw tears welling up in my girlfriend's eyes. She stopped them, pushed them back and smiled at me. I smiled back. "We're here," she said.
The house where we stayed this time was a one minute walk from Palazzo Gorgonia, where last time stayed. Again right in the center, in other words close to the food, which made us very happy.
A cold house
The first thing that disappointed us was the temperature of the house. In Italian houses, the walls are endlessly thick to keep out the heat in the summer. There was also little sunlight and it took a very long time before hot water came out of the tap. Luckily Marta was there to help us and it was resolved quickly. However, we are not used to this in the Netherlands and it is therefore quite important to ask immediately upon arrival how the thermostat works, so that you are not trembling in bed.
Eat, drink, laugh
Lecce in December is beautiful. It is warmer than here, the sun is shining and people are simply unable to get inside.
We walked straight to Mamma Elvira, our favorite restaurant. We ordered two Aperol Spritz and the small versions of our favorite dishes. We discussed twice about what we had both been through without each other in the months we hadn't seen each other.
We ate, we drank, we laughed and decided to doppiozero walk, knowing most of our group of friends would be there.
When we arrived there was a spontaneous surprise party that nobody knew about. There was screaming, drinks ordered, chairs pulled from everywhere and before we knew it the evening seemed endless and we never went home.
The next day we were able to collect our car and visit Ostuni. A beautiful white village. A fairytale. We walked, we got lost and of course we ate.
We drove back as the sun set and sang along with, most likely, R-Kelly.
Lecce in December: terraces
Normally the temperature is higher in Lecce. The week before we arrived it was 16 degrees, but once we got there the temperature had dropped to -3 and stayed that way for the first few days. Its a shame, but there is nothing to do about it.
Wherever we went, the terraces were always open in the cold. There were blankets on the chairs and the heaters were burning wonderfully during the day. After the first few days the temperature climbed and we ended up in about 16 degrees.
The cold didn't bother us in the end, because the sun was shining. The sky was blue and no one was whining, because why should you? When you're strolling the sun-drenched streets, when your favorite terrace is packed with all your friends and your fresh Meatballs (Italian meatballs) being served as you just walk in?
Lecce in December was amazing. We took walks through different towns, went to the beach with friends and celebrated New Years Eve with bare legs, but about that… another time.
Photos: Vivianne
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