Calabria, the tip of the peninsula, is like an enchanted place. 320 days of sunshine a year delight our sun-hungry minds. But appearances are deceptive. For the northern Italians somewhat arrogantly call it "Third World".
Characterised by poverty and agriculture, state investments that were once supposed to bring industry have allegedly failed, so that today ruins characterise the landscapes and coasts. Here, the 'Ndrangheta, Calabria's mafia, thrives, its influence extending beyond drug trafficking and toxic waste disposal, while high unemployment drives youth north and abroad.
Let's focus on the good things!
But Calabria also has opportunities that could help the region flourish again. Greeks, Romans, Normans, Byzantines, Aragonese and Spaniards have left traces of their rule that are pleasing to the eye. I only say medieval coastal towns and, moreover, a lot of "old stones"!
With its winding coastal roads and rocky "precipices" that stretch for kilometres, Calabria is made for us. The west coast, which we first travel for a few days and where we always set up our home office for a few days, is a string of little treasures with its rocky bays, turquoise sea and countless picturesque (and sunny!) places.
Calabria's scenic attractions are also undeniable: dense beech and pine forests, the likes of which are rarely found elsewhere in southern Italy, entice us. In the next few days, we also want to visit the mountains that are so much talked about.
When we arrive in Tropea, it happens again: we are in town in the afternoon, we are hungry and people are indulging in the afternoon riposo. And we look at the cards. So we look for a spot at the harbour, also have a siesta and trudge up to the town again later in the evening.
Finally, we almost starving creatures find a filling snack. Spontaneously the mood brightens, we feel good and think that it was a successful day all round.
Merci for "travelling with us
We are thinking about taking another break from travelling in the summer and visiting our families in Germany and Switzerland. One of the ideas is to organise a Lecture about our long journey to the Persian Gulf to prepare. If you would like to, what would interest you the most? We will also tell stories here that don't find a place here on the blog. We're thinking of the Bern and Berlin area - simply because we have family there. But other places are also conceivable. Feel free to write to us.
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