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Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:06:36 -0700 zerosugar from private IP, post #19420413 /all matera matera today. rather than waiting around for others, i managed to get here today from the middle of nowhere by bus. not sure how i did it, but i did. i woke up early and was determined to do something. i spent a few hours. may come back another time and spend more time when i’m not alone. now on my way back to no man’s land. all italian tourist spots are pretty similar whether matera or assisi or tropea or ortigia. you grab a drink or snack, make sure to wear some sneakers, walk extensively, visit a church or two, maybe fall for some tourist traps, grab some ceramics and leave. this was my first time in matera. i also went inside an old house that was pretty weird. it was built in a cave. it’s sort of poverty porn here. there are specific tourists at all italian tourist spots too: 1) the english or australian traveler ladies (they come in all ages) in linen pants with cameras around their necks, scarves, and practical sandals. these are travelers not tourists. matera is just another day for them. they have usually done jordan, crete, morocco, and more the past few weeks. the male counterpart of these women wears socks up to his knees and it more touristy. 2) chinese travelers (less common than number one in smaller italian towns) trying to get the perfect image with a professional camera and hats to block the sun. 3) german groups, usually there for good times and to sit and have a beer. a dude who mapped out parking before coming weeks in advance. 4) nordic lady tourists. similar to one, but less chatty and oftentimes less traveled. usually in italy for a quick trip and to get flirted with. 5) italian diaspora guy in his 60s or 70s. usually from connecticut, boston, new jersey, melbourne, or toronto. visiting his birth town for the first time in ten years. excited to hear somebody speaking in english. depending on his age, this may be one final trip for him before he gets too old to travel or he may be considering moving back here. 6) northern italians there to experience quaint southern lifestyles. Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:53:41 -0700 phosita from private IP Reply #12379026 This reminds me of the Monty Python travel agent sketch. Sat, 25 Apr 2026 22:41:33 -0700 whiteguyinchina from private IP Reply #16457622 I was in matera two years ago, what a weird town. Weird region actually. City of poors who slept with their livestock, then utterly abandoned save a few old grandmas and now being redeveloped by new money, ie hostels and cafes. Slept in a nice cave house, cool to see but would not want to live in a cave with my goats sleeping downstairs. Sat, 25 Apr 2026 22:44:01 -0700 whiteguyinchina from private IP Reply #11713723 Some ancient towns or abandoned towns in can picture, say herculaneum or Albero de bello. Even in old days it was interesting. But matera made me feel strange. Like you could just feel the misery of the old days. Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:45:16 -0700 zerosugar from private IP Reply #12614177 Yes it can also be overwhelming if you are there alone especially. I was charged 5 euro to go in a cave and see one old house when I first walked in. The house really depressed me. lol. Matera is filled with tourist traps too. Some films were filmed there though so I guess it’s come a long way since no running water in the houses up until even like the 1950s and 60s. Anyway, happy I at least got out and did something while here. Souvenir prices vary so much from shop to shop too. I paid 4 euro for one magnet then saw it for 2. Oh well. At least I got my daily steps in and then some. Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:46:20 -0700 zerosugar from private IP Reply #12101293 Yes it can also be overwhelming if you are there alone especially. I was charged 5 euro to go in a cave and see one old house when I first walked in. The house really depressed me. lol. Matera is filled with tourist traps too. Some films were filmed there though so I guess it’s come a long way since no running water in the houses up until even like the 1950s and 60s. Anyway, happy I at least got out and did something while here. Souvenir prices vary so much from shop to shop too. I paid 4 euro for one magnet then saw it for 2. Oh well. At least I got my daily steps in and then some.Replies require login.