Trulli, Olive Oil and the Forno

Yesterday we enjoyed a trip to visit the Trulli.  This was in the Apuglian Town of Alberobello.  Some people have called this town a little hobbit town with little hobbit houses.  Certainly one can see why as they are such an interesting architecture! 

Many theories about why they are built in this fashion.  Some are due to the tax collectors... as they were built with dry stone, they could be dismantled easily and when the tax collector was gone, they could easily reassemble. 

After this town, we went to visit Masseria Cusmai, where they produce, bottle and distribute Olive Oil.  This olive oil is a brand that is carried and sold from La Campagna.  In fact, we saw our order being packaged up and ready for shipment to the states!   We were also treated to a special processing of the olive curing process.  This is where they take the ash from the olive trees to cure the olives the old fashioned way; such an interesting process to see and experience. 

We continued to the town of Cisternino for dinner.  The type of cooking we observed is called Forno, where they take a roast and put it on the spit, but instead of roasting it on the fire, they actually put it into a wood oven. 

Our days are starting to come to a close... soon we will be back in the states.  As with all returns home we are happy to be home, excited to share our experiences and yet we find we long to return a little bit sooner that we had planned to this beautiful place!