I am in the process of putting together our periodic newsletter. In it we are revisiting why it is we do our trips to Italy – something that seemed worth doing as we start our 10th year. Then this morning I read some Mark Nepo that captured a good deal of what it is Italy does for everyone who travesl with us. Here’s what Nepo said:
Living in modern times has turned us into watchers, placing a sliver of distance between us and everything we meet. It is this watching that disheartens our days, that takes the color out of the earth and makes the songs of time sound flat.
The Native American view on this is healing. With respect for all aspects of Creation, we are asked to honor whatever we see – rock, rain fence or stranger – as a member of our family.
. . . . in knowing the world this way, there is no such thing as metaphor. The wind is not God’s voice. The wind is God’s voice. Memories are not images of loved ones returning to us. They are the spirits of loved ones visiting us.
He says it more eloquently than we. But the fact is, one of the reasons we do Italy is because the experience is one that makes us participants in life, not watchers. It is a gift everyone brings home with them from Orvieto and that they carry into their future. Pretty wonderful!
We get in touch with life in Italy
I know exactly what you mean. I love to show my visitors this part of the world; being from, quite literally, the other end of the world I can’t bear the thought of people going home again without experiencing the treasures and delights of “real Italy”.
Definitely brought some gifts home sans platform fashion sneaks…seriously, an enchanting experience highly recommended!