Walked to the sea today

Sunday Oct. 28th 2012

This being my only day off (always Sunday), I decided to walk to the ocean.  But I was corrected on that is NOT the ocean.  It is the SEA.  It should have been about 8km (5 mi.) but as usual I took the wrong road and being that the street map I had stopped short of just outside the city, I just kept walking East.  It was Belvedere Rd.  Should have taken Foggia Rd.  Well I was walking and walking and walking past these amazing olive farms with HUGE tree trunks all twisted and beautiful.  Took way too many pictures because one was more beautiful than the previous one.  And I saw the word "VENDESI" many, many times.  "For Sale".  So many olive farms for sale here.  And when I asked why, I was told that the family (children) that these farms are left to after parents are too old or die just want quick money.  The younger generation does not want to do the hard work of harvesting olives.  I have noticed since I've been here that everyone I see at the farms or on the tractor are older men.
Back to the walk.
I started walking at 8:45 a.m. and 3 hours later saw the sea.  I figured this was about 12 km or 8 miles.  But I was much more south than I wanted to be. So I kept walking through areas along the sea that during the Summer months (June, July & August) are many, many people on holiday.  Now the coast is  ghost town after ghost town.  Very few cars.  No people.  It was kind of eerie being all alone with beautiful beaches to my right and vegetable gardens to my left.  So some people continue living here.  Just didn't see anyone.  Finally after walking for 5 1/2 hours, maybe 25 km or 20 miles and seeing a sign to Carovigno 7km I decided to hitch hike.  Probably the first time in my life.  My feet did not want to walk any more.  3 very nice guys picked me up and drove me home.
Never got to put my feet in the sea.