So true! It's one of those places where the past is never past, and there's a nostalgic air that just hovers over everything. You hit it on the head. Would you mind if I shared this comment on the chat as well?
So glad you enjoyed it-- and even better that you've got a visit just ten days away! Hope you have a wonderful time. Be sure to share a pic or memory from the trip on the Substack chat-- would love to know more about your visit. And yes, I love that shot of the men in the square as well-- that's actually from Peter Milne, another subscriber to Life Lived Italian. A classic moment-- especially the guy who's in his work uniform.
For me, it is the market. The spiky, purply artichokes, the white and red splattered fava beans and brilliant Sicilian lemons in spring, the zucche, castagna and truffles in the fall. The millions of local cheeses and pastas. The anchovies and olives guy who has dozens of types of both, or the candies guy with countless, shiny, plastic wrapped sweets. And the tolling of the church bells as you walk along carrying your treasures.... that is when I know I am home.
For me, it is accidentally stumbling upon something of historical, cultural, artistic, etc. significance on one of my solo walks. It is inevitable because of the age of civilization there. On these walks, I also find myself realizing the wisdom of how to live by watching the people. I have only visited Italy five times. My third trip stole my heart, and four weeks in Florence on my fourth trip stole my soul.
I love the rhythm of your writing. It echoes what I have experienced. I try to communicate a similar message in my newsletter Soft contacts with the Wonders of World. Thanks.
Yes - the seemingly mundane moments are sometimes the most evocative! Narrow pavements too skinny to walk on, vegetables displayed like flowers, small cars parked on cobbled streets, faded shutters bursting open. Or behaviours- conversations that sound like arguments, drinking coffee standing up. Or smells - not all of them attractive or even identifiable!
These are such great images-- do you mind if I share the text on Life Lived Italian's Substack chat? Obviously would cite you and add a link to The Metamorphosis Map.
Of course - no problem. Glad you recognised them. I haven't lived in Italy for years but try to pop over from Slovenia regularly. The Metamorphosis Map features a number of countries, including Italy. I'm happy to have discovered your newsletter!
What a wonderful essay. I really love your photo of the two men in conversation. :) I'll be back in Italy in about ten days and I cannot explain how much I am looking forward to experiencing these special moments when I simply look around and see things that let me know that I am back.
I know Italy in tourist season is messy, expensive, hellishly hot etc. but I miss my country the most in the summertime. There's such a magic permeating everything, even in what can be considered 'bad' - nothing beats the balmy evenings spent sitting outdoors chugging iced drinks, looking at people marvel at what they see.
I think your solo walks are brilliant-- I wish I had the discipline to wake up early enough to do something similar. We were in Como yesterday, and there was a fortified tower across from our hotel, the Porta Torre, that looks Roman but was actually built in the 1100s. But it's such an amazing structure that I can't get it out of my head-- just one of those millions of things you happen upon in Italy by chance. Looking forward to seeing you here this summer!
I completely agree-- for all the complaining about the crowds and the heat, summer in Italy is still when the whole country comes to life. At the beach, in the countryside, everything comes alive, stays up late, and enjoys its moment in the sun.
This is so beautiful-- I feel exactly the same way about market day, whether it's the little one in our small town in Le Marche or the Trionfale in Roma. I get no joy from grocery shopping in a supermarket, but I love the open market. This is such a lovely comment-- would you mind if I shared on Life Lived Italian's Substack chat? Would cite you of course and provide a link to "Letters from a 300-year-old farmhouse".
So true! It's one of those places where the past is never past, and there's a nostalgic air that just hovers over everything. You hit it on the head. Would you mind if I shared this comment on the chat as well?
So glad you enjoyed it-- and even better that you've got a visit just ten days away! Hope you have a wonderful time. Be sure to share a pic or memory from the trip on the Substack chat-- would love to know more about your visit. And yes, I love that shot of the men in the square as well-- that's actually from Peter Milne, another subscriber to Life Lived Italian. A classic moment-- especially the guy who's in his work uniform.
For me, it is the market. The spiky, purply artichokes, the white and red splattered fava beans and brilliant Sicilian lemons in spring, the zucche, castagna and truffles in the fall. The millions of local cheeses and pastas. The anchovies and olives guy who has dozens of types of both, or the candies guy with countless, shiny, plastic wrapped sweets. And the tolling of the church bells as you walk along carrying your treasures.... that is when I know I am home.
For me, it is accidentally stumbling upon something of historical, cultural, artistic, etc. significance on one of my solo walks. It is inevitable because of the age of civilization there. On these walks, I also find myself realizing the wisdom of how to live by watching the people. I have only visited Italy five times. My third trip stole my heart, and four weeks in Florence on my fourth trip stole my soul.
I love the rhythm of your writing. It echoes what I have experienced. I try to communicate a similar message in my newsletter Soft contacts with the Wonders of World. Thanks.
Yes - the seemingly mundane moments are sometimes the most evocative! Narrow pavements too skinny to walk on, vegetables displayed like flowers, small cars parked on cobbled streets, faded shutters bursting open. Or behaviours- conversations that sound like arguments, drinking coffee standing up. Or smells - not all of them attractive or even identifiable!
These are such great images-- do you mind if I share the text on Life Lived Italian's Substack chat? Obviously would cite you and add a link to The Metamorphosis Map.
Of course - no problem. Glad you recognised them. I haven't lived in Italy for years but try to pop over from Slovenia regularly. The Metamorphosis Map features a number of countries, including Italy. I'm happy to have discovered your newsletter!
What a wonderful essay. I really love your photo of the two men in conversation. :) I'll be back in Italy in about ten days and I cannot explain how much I am looking forward to experiencing these special moments when I simply look around and see things that let me know that I am back.
I know Italy in tourist season is messy, expensive, hellishly hot etc. but I miss my country the most in the summertime. There's such a magic permeating everything, even in what can be considered 'bad' - nothing beats the balmy evenings spent sitting outdoors chugging iced drinks, looking at people marvel at what they see.
What a great idea as a chat topic!
For me it’s words. The shout of Ao Raga! in Rome and Spazzino! here in Venice. The soft string of ciao ciao ciao ciao when someone ends a phone call
Italy is my soul's place.
I just left Italy, and am already homesick! Thanks for bringing me back to one of my favorite places on earth, with every photo and every comment!
I will be back in Italian waters tomorrow , in Catania, and will try to catch some pictures to share with all our readers …. And eat a cannolo
Thanks so much. Going to check out Soft Contacts now!
I think your solo walks are brilliant-- I wish I had the discipline to wake up early enough to do something similar. We were in Como yesterday, and there was a fortified tower across from our hotel, the Porta Torre, that looks Roman but was actually built in the 1100s. But it's such an amazing structure that I can't get it out of my head-- just one of those millions of things you happen upon in Italy by chance. Looking forward to seeing you here this summer!
I completely agree-- for all the complaining about the crowds and the heat, summer in Italy is still when the whole country comes to life. At the beach, in the countryside, everything comes alive, stays up late, and enjoys its moment in the sun.
This is so beautiful-- I feel exactly the same way about market day, whether it's the little one in our small town in Le Marche or the Trionfale in Roma. I get no joy from grocery shopping in a supermarket, but I love the open market. This is such a lovely comment-- would you mind if I shared on Life Lived Italian's Substack chat? Would cite you of course and provide a link to "Letters from a 300-year-old farmhouse".