Sassi Di Matera

After our night among the
Trulli of Alberobello, we headed to the city of Matera to see another type of housing, the Sassi. Matera is a picturesque city with an ancient feel to it that is more middle eastern than Italian, a fact apparently noted by Mel Gibson, as this is where he chose to film the Passion of the Christ. In no small part thanks to that filming, this city has seen an increase in tourism lately and has been thus revitalized from a slum of 50 years ago to a vacation city today.

The city is built of many small buildings piled one atop another and wall to wall up a jagged rocky point, and many are actually built into that rock. Towards the top of the point stands a tiny church built mostly into the wall. Another, larger, church stands at the base of the point, separated from the jumble by a narrow cobbled street and wedged against the edge of a river's ravine that winds by the city. The town is all of one color and one stone, a pale tan tufa.

These houses, and their more primitive relatives on the hills across the ravine are the Sassi. From prehistoric times, man has been carving caves into these hills to live in. Over time, some had walls built in front of them, and the interiors developed into complex systems of living in small spaces, with all the conveniences of a bedroom, kitchen, living space, and even a barn all wrapped up into 1 room.

In the 1950's, many people were
thrown out, as the area had become depressed and something of a slum. You would never guess it from today's rustic splendor. We spent our small amount of time wandering the street and paying a cheap fee for entry to one of the Sassi, which, through a prerecorded message discussed many of the features of the sassi as they would have been used about 100 years ago.

While there are options to stay in one of these homes, and also many more individual places to visit here, our schedule dictated that we move on, but I was sad to leave so soon such a beautiful and interesting place.

Dollywood

For my 2008 birthday, I was treated to my first trip to Dollywood, a theme park near Pigeon Forge and the Smokey Mountains National Park, in eastern Tennessee. While I've been to the area several times, I had never been to the amusement park. Dollywood, as you may guess, is operated by Tennessee's own, Dolly Parton. For those who may have had the good fortune to visit Opryland in Nashville while it was still operating, Dollywood is very similarly themed. Throughout the park are sound stages for musical performances, and there is a stage show featuring birds of prey, and an eagle sanctuary. But as with any theme park the main attractions are the rides. We arrived late in the day, as late admission allows you to return the next day.

The first ride we rode was a fire house ride called Blazing Fury, which tries to emulate Splash Mountain of Disneyland, but isn't quit as fun. After that we went to ride the Tennessee Tornado. This roller coaster is short but fun, and is one we rode on repeatedly. Unfortunately, for the duration of our stay, both the Mystery Mine Roller coaster and the Timber Tower were closed. When we arrived on the first day, Daredevil Falls, the log ride that ends with a splash, was also closed, but did open on the second day. Among the other rides are River Battle which is less of a ride than a mobile water sprayer, and the Mountain Slidewinder, a fun take on a water slide ride. Another water ride is the Smoky Mountain River Rampage, which, is fun, but depending on your seat may not get you as wet as you would like. One of the highlights, and another favorite was the Thunderhead, an exhilarating wooden roller coaster.

While those are the main attractions, there are quit a few more rides directed towards children, the only one of which I rode was the Rockin' Roadway, which lets you "drive" a miniature classic car around a track, which I enjoyed for nostalgia's sake. Others are themed on carnival rides, and there is a whimsical tree house and a splash fountain to play in on hot days.

Overall, Dollywood can be a lot of fun, for me in particular if all the rides had been operational. For those who enjoy country music, or have children, the experience would be even better. Overall, I think I prefer six flags with its stronger emphasis on rides, and in my experience a better record for having them all operational. Still, Dollywood is worth visiting at least once.