On the sea

 Visiting Polignano a Mare yesterday, I was struck by many things. Arriving by train and walking to the historical center, you are often walking through a dreary town with people hanging around looking bored.  Or smoking, waiting for nothing.  It is very poor here and the lack of employment is evident except for the tourist areas.

We met a young shopgirl a few days ago who told us her story … born here in Bari and went to London for school and work.  For some reason she had to return and said it was the biggest mistake of her life.  That her goal is to get out of here.  It is a nice place to vacation, she told us but not a place to live.

Polignano a Mare is a tiny town set on cliffs above the sea, the erosion caused by waves cutting the earth from beneath homes and buildings. Very dramatic setting and beautiful with the bright turquoise water sparkling as far as you can see.