What the world needs now . . .

. . . is to be swept away in the carefree and easy . . . to feel awash in the simplistic beauty of a life before cellphones and superhighways . . . to have a sense of peace and tranquility unrivaled and incomparable. Ahhh, to know the calm majesty of an endless sea, spotted occasionally with sailboats or fishermen . . . watching the tides ebb and flow, standing before it's vast expanse of nothingness. All of this and more awaits in Puglia, on the Adriatic. Time is standing still . . .

As I drive through the countryside, marvelling at the space which is infinite, wondering how I could feel so peaceful and at my ease in this foreign land . . . I surrender to it, I give my cares a toss into the warm, languishing breezes which envelope me. This is the power of this place upon my soul. Each spot on the map here in Puglia is a little hidden jewel . . a possible historical and cultural bonanza, for time has stood still seemingly, nothing much as changed, other than the D & G t-shirt worn by that man driving past on his tractor! There is a fusion of present tense and a society, at it's rapid-fire pace, multi-tasking itself to death. But here, there is also an acceptable blank spot, a void, a mysterious "other world" . . . the past! It remains, intermingled with the cadence of the present and all the hope for the future. And I can pass through that magical portal in just seconds, taking a leap into the past just by opening my eyes . . . it is all around me. Buildings and customs which have existed in this place for centuries . . . everywhere I look, I am able to see history, a culture developing and evolving over time into what I see in this "here and now". Yet the past is respected, the history is accepted and the time is reflected.

When can I return?? How soon can I fall eagerly into the sea of this tranquility? Well, fortunately for me, and for Chemarci and our customers, I will return in mid-July! In just a few weeks I will be immersed in this culture I love, among the people I respect and value for their intellect, spirituality, historical regard, and artistic expression. Family is important too, that is evident everywhere amongst the people of Puglia, as they celebrate life and special occasions together. There is truly "no place like home", and "home is where your heart is", and as evidenced, my heart now calls Puglia home.

As I wander the country lanes, making my way from map-dot to map-dot, I will be able to find those treasures for you, those momentos, those beloved reminders and those incomparable rare finds . . . so look ahead with expectation . . . as I open the doorway into my "home" in Puglia, bringing the very best of it all to you!

Ciao and buona giornata! Cheryl

Takes my breathe away

I'm thinking of summertime in bella Italia . . . Puglia, awash with sunshine, as I'm basking in the warmth of it's people, their embrace . . a moment of unadulterated, pure light. As I take in the endless rows of olive trees, with their centuries-old trunks and branches, the clarity of how long this place has endured astonishes me. So many of the things my eyes take in in those moments are not much different than centuries before me . . . how many of those stones, which make up the walls I see dividing those olive trees, are there? There must be millions, no billions! Who put them all together, picking each one up off the ground, aligning them in such definitive ways? When did the Pugliese people first begin their unique and centuries-old customs? I am enthralled and enraptured by the magnitude of time as it has come and gone across these same fields. Who worked the soil then? As I move to a lazy field of wildflowers, lying just beneath the mysterious, octagonal-walled Castel del Monte, I can smell the fresh scent of . . . well, what is it? Ahhh, it's the fresh scent of clean air! The region is untouched in so many ways, it only adds to the delight of my visit. Just reflecting upwards toward that strange castle, sitting majestically up there upon this isolated hill, with the 360 degree view to all of Puglia . . . ahhh, beyond words.

I think you can sense the unique characteristics of this place, it is truly inspirational to all my senses . . many people who visit bella Italia for a taste of the "sweet life", la dolce vita, have no chance, nor idea what lies off the beaten path. They are only able to experience the grandeur of Florence or Rome, the canals of Venice, the absolute charm of Italy escapes them in those few days of vacation. Chemarci will bring those places and people, those regional delights tucked under the same sun that brightens the day in Tuscany, to you. I'm going again to the places I treasure, the people I have grown to love, in just six weeks . . . and I will find even more of the gems which are cast about Puglia like those stones which comprise the infinite walls dotting the countryside.

Come with me to Puglia . . . explore the beauty and charm with me . . . bring a taste of Puglia into your life!

See you soon . . . Cheryl

Join me in my passion . . . all things Italian

Ciao ciao . . . buona giornata!

I am the cofounder and partner of Chemarci . . . we are importers of fabulous Italian goods, found throughout Italy, primarily focusing on the charming southern region of Puglia. Ahhh, la dolce vita . . . in Puglia, the warm Italian sun radiates over the endless olive-tree groves and fields verdant with crops of fresh tomatoes, artichokes, wheat and of course, grapes. It is a beautiful patch of countryside located on the top of the heel of Italy's boot. It encompasses a lovely stretch of tranquility along the Adriatic sea, with crystalline, azzure waters and magical vistas along every turn in the road.

I've visited this region many times and find delightful hidden jewels where artisans reside and craft pottery, jewelry and specialty gift items which are signatures for their beloved towns. The charm and old-world magic of this area is evident at every stop . . . let us transport you there through our wonderful and varied merchandise.

I'm traveling again this summer, in just six weeks . . . I will have a new supply of products to share with you on our website, which will be up and running in just a few days! We will also have our own blogging page, so that you can keep in contact with us and informed about our latest items for sale. If you have suggestions for things we should make available for sale, we are always eager to hear from you. Thank you all very much for your visit to my site, have a wonderful day! Or I should say, "Buona giornata a tutti!"