. . . 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
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment