So to say walking amongst this ancient city is surreal would be an understatement. I feel like words would not really do justice.
Matera is the second oldest city in the whole of the world. What a privilege it is to be able to witness it first hand. As I reflect on my whirlwind day of detours and frustrations I realized that had I not arrived so late I would have not seen the city in all it’s night time glory. I still am having “pinch me” moments and ticked off another item from the list. The other thoughts I reflect on is how proud I was of myself to be resourceful and do some quick thinking to get my day back on track.

Today is very warm, but although there are plenty people and vehicles around, it has a real peace about the place. I just watch over the canyon and the city in the hills taking big deep breaths as I make my way to so many vantage points.
I’d worked up a bit of an appetite and in the sassi there are countless restaurants and cafes built to service the thousands of people that visit. I choose one with a view. So nice to have lunch in such a peaceful place. Lots more deep breaths and thought how surprising it is that I’ve become so comfortable with my own company. I know I’ve made a number of new friends and chatted with strangers along the way. But mostly having to be by myself, with no conversation, which has means there has been an increase in my self talk.

As I weave my way through the maze of Matera I find myself in alley ways with not a soul around. The old streets are difficult to navigate if you’re not paying attention so to be able to both sight see and stay safe makes for a long trip around the sassi.

This place has fed my soul! And I am feeling so blessed to have been been here, and met lovely people both in my hostel and the locals.

All of this walking has made me hot so I head back toward the piazza for a gelato. So many delicious flavours to choose from. I order a piccolo fragola which is so refreshing and tasty. I sit in the stairs of an old church. I’m not sure if still operational but it’s in the shade and overlooking the main walkway so it’s great for people watching too.

I’m feeling weary now, so I decide to head back to the hostel and regroup before heading out for my last night in Matera. It then I get a message from one of my new friends who says they’re planning on having dinner at home and asked if I’d like to come along. I let them know that I’d be back in touch in case there was any other things I needed to see and also conscious that I had an early start so they’d be nothing to crazy on the cards anyway.
I get back to the hostel and have a nap before checking out some travel plans for the rest of my trip. After some research I realized I am not going to get in everything I want to. There is just not enough time. Disappointed but not defeated I plot the time in Positano and Roma before seeing what options I’d have for my final 3 days.
I decide to head out for a final drink before heading to the house in the sassi. On my way out I farewell Francesca who thanks me for staying and says she has been so pleased to meet me! Apparently she has loved my energy and positivity. I’m so glad that the impression I can leave about Australians. It’s incredible that knowing people for short periods of time, you can still get a sense of who they are. I wish her well in her business and thank her for her kindness and help.
Out I go! I love to watch the passing people. It’s such a contrast from last night as it was absolutely packed across the walkway.

Its time to head off and I find my way with some broken English directions. When I arrive I’m impressed by this compact little rock home. The inside is quite modernb only one window in the kitchen, but wow it’d be amazing to make your morning coffee and be looking at at this ancient town.

For the rest of the night I chatted with Sandrino, his English was one of the best out of the group. We exchanged questions and stories about life in our respective countries, learning about where Materians holiday, what the average wages are, the social security system etc. I heard about Sandrinos family and how he’d lost his mum when she was 25 and he was only a year old, and then later lost his sister when she was 20. So now it’s just him and his elderly father.
It’s definitely time to head home and I forget that I need to pack still and am worried that I will wake my room mates both tonight and in the morning when my alarm goes off at 4.30am. But I guess this is hostel living. I’ll be more conscious of this next place and be a bit more organized. I just hadn’t expected to be out till 10pm.
On my walk back home and the through the piazza I hear one of my favourite songs being sung. I turn the corner to see a kids choir and 2 young girls singing “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. It couldn’t be a more fitting way for me to end my time here. I listen to them sing in front of the most beautiful church backdrop.

I arrive at the Hostel to an empty room. Seems all my room mates have checked out and I have the room to myself. This is great as I can pack quickly (and loudly) of necessary. It also means that there is no issue in the morning either.
I’m so conscious of being at the right place and being ready on time I set 3 alarms. Tomorrow the Amalfi Coast awaits me.