Here in Molise, you'll hear a dialect native to that of the region of northern Apulia. This particular dialect, a mixture of Albanian, Serbian and Croatian backgrounds, combines with a working-class base of rough yet fundamental Italian to create a language unheard outside of this mountainous region. To visit Molise, be prepared for a bumpy ride. The roads are at best inadequate, at worse impassible with smaller, more delicate automobiles. The only port within Molise, Termoli, is overrun with tourist traffic unseen in other areas of this quiet yet photogenic area, as it serves as a vital passageway to the ever-popular Tremiti resorts.
Women sit around in traditional Southern Italian dress.
The dress, with lots of black and lots of traditional lace, would not be complete without the fragile smiles and thick wrinkles of the women that wear them, the same women whose facial characteristics speak volumes about their lives and the history of their region. If photography is a hobby, you'd be hard pressed to find better real-life subjects than the women of Molise. For some, the mere word conjures images of sandy beaches, romantic, glossy rock enclaves and clear water washing over the tanned arms and legs of the finest citizens Europe has to offer. It's a close description, but one that requires explanation. Most importantly, it is important to note that Puglia, while known for its wealth in this generally poverty-stricken area of Southern Italy, is a popular summer playground for both European and American tourists alike.