What makes Italians Italians and why do we always remain 'those Dutch'? That question still regularly comes up when we walk around in Puglia.

In our case, Nicole will always be the first to enter the store with me, following the male party. That answers part of this question. I try not to stroll. I have to watch over my masculinity, so I pretend that I had just seen something in the shop window, which makes me arrive just a little later. Our photo albums therefore consist of mostly landscapes with Nicole photographed from the back. Would that be a typical Dutch photo album? I actually hope so.

Kind of oddity
Outside of the high season you will meet tourists in Martina Francaweinig. In that period we are a kind of oddity. Here in Italy we start our social network from scratch. It obliges us to look at everyday things again. For example, a visit to the supermarket is not a must, but a new adventure. A search along shelves and shelves with new words but especially other products.

In the supermercato, the cheese department is a mecca. There is smoked burrata, braided mozzarella and cacio cavallo di Martina Franca, a hard cheese made from cow's milk. Cavallo (which means 'horse') refers to the appearance of the cheese: because the cheese, maturing on a rope, is reminiscent of a saddle that is placed over the horse's back on both sides.

We try to blend with the locals. But as soon as something needs to be arranged, at a post office or bank, we will of course immediately fall for it. Last week, for example, we had to pay the electricity bill at a post office in Martina Franca, which also serves as a tobacconist's payroll office. It is always pleasant there. I bet there are people who just spend a whole morning there for their own pleasure. The advantage of so many 'spectators' is that there is always someone who wants to assist us in German-English.

Relax, relax
In our Bouteaque hotel in Maastricht, two Italian students work as a chambermaid. When I go through the weekly schedule with them, they always say: "relax, relax." By that they mean to say: "it will be okay." And that is ultimately what it is. Whether it is running a hotel in Maastricht or renovating a trullo in Puglia.

Although it works a little differently in southern Italy.

Reliable method
For example, there is a eucalyptus tree in the driveway. According to Gianfranco, our Italian friend and support and support, it must be cut down. This is mainly due to the Scirocco winds, which are transporting more and more frequent and more powerful dry air from the Sahara to the north. To determine the fall direction, we measure the height of the tree. Step backwards until your arm makes an angle of 45 ° with the top of the tree. The distance to the tree is then also the height. Don't bother about a meter and a half; this is quite a reliable method. And so it happens.

It is already the last evening in Puglia. The twisted tagliatelle, sagne 'ncannulate, is served. This pasta is inspired by the wood shavings of Joseph the carpenter and is eaten with ricotta and black pepper. We are slowly becoming more relaxed, a little more Italian. I actually walk in front of Nicole to keep the door open when we leave the restaurant.