We made it to the other side!!!!

In the past 3 days in Matera, the awesomes have been investigating and planning a way to get to the other side of the gorge. On Day 1, whist visiting St Peters church, 3 of us saw Ruby being led through a door at the back of the church by an old man. We quickly followed as we feared that Ruby was being abducted, but were shown to a balcony with the most magnificent view of the gorge, the Sassi, and the old caves across the gorge. The old man, the registrar of the church, then offered to drive us to the other side, but not till after the weekend as it was the Epiphany and he was busy. Without speaking a word of English, he was able to make arrangements of the time 930am on Monday to take us. We weren't sure what to make of this offer or whether we understood right.

Kai excitedly discovered a bridge across only to find that it was closed and undergoing repairs. Spotting some people jumping the blockade to get on the bridge, we kept that plan in mind as a last resort.
Day 2 we found a manned tourist information, (that can be quite difficult to find in small towns) but they were as helpful as a screen door on a submarine. Asking if there was a guide that could take us, the only answer was NO. Best answer was get a taxi. They had not said how we would get back once the taxi dropped us off.

Ruby found information about a park guide that could take us on a hike. So heading to the tourist information again with the new found information to see if they could help arrange it for us, the answer was NO.

We then found a phone number of a guide, what'sapp the guide but was not successful as they said a hike was not a good idea because it was forecasted to rain.

We were left with jumping the blockade or going with Ruby's old man.

Taking the chance that old man remembers our arrangement, we set off to St Peter's this morning. Lo and behold, he was there and we set off with his Italian and my Google translate.

His name turns out to be Rocco and he works in Peter's church. Made me giggle as "upon this rock I will build my church" has rock working for it.

He was lovely. Armed with a torch, he took us to remote, off the beaten track Rupestrian churches and abandoned grottos. Even walked us through inter connecting caves. Showed us film sets and took us to the lit Presepe that we can see from the lookout at our accommodation in the evening. He even showed us where they filmed the crucifixion in Mel Gibson's Passion of Christ.

He was agile and fit as he led us through the mountain side and navigated rough uneven terrain. We were impressed to learn that he is 73 years of age. He was raised in the Sassi and left when he was 10 years. Like the statistics we learnt about infant mortality, he also lost 2 of his 3 siblings.

After taking us around for 2 hours, he invited us back into the church and presented us with a translated book about the history of his church. He even offered to drive us to our next accommodation in Ostuni, 70km away, and visit the Trulli town of Alberobello along the way. We had already booked a guide for the day, and had to decline his very generous offer. When it was time to leave, with tears in his eyes, he said that he was fortunate to have met us. What a lovely,wonderful man. How blessed we are to have another angel along our journey of Italy.Read more