Day 5

Sept 5th

Salve!

Someone suggested I write a blog and in a few minutes, here I am.
This is Day 4 of my month long Italy sabbatical.  3 weeks in Umbertide and then a week in Rome.

Today was market day and oh my, was it ever!  The food, the flowers, the roasted pork!!!
What I love best about being here is the emotion and community. I love seeing older people playing cards and talking. Everyone is together. Fathers holding their children, the cheek kissing, the emotion in the language. It's as though everyone is so happy to see everyone else!

I sense so much less stress here, even for those who are working.  Life is full here.

The lady at the cafe' I visit everyday is very sweet. Always a genuine greeting and smile. I wonder if she would adopt me. :)

I am still not 100% sure this is real. I actually pinched myself last night as I sat listening to a free concert from 9 to 11pm.  And the walking, I walk all the time and so does everyone else. Even at 11:30pm on a work week.

I can only describe it here as beautiful and full.  It is as though every color in the palate of life is used here and no excuses are offered. People are all different sizes, yet there is this acceptance of being who we are, a sensual quality that I find refreshing.  In the states, I am much more conservative, especially in VT.  It feels as though there is no reason to edit your energy here. The city (country) is big enough to handle it.

Well, it is siesta time here so I am going to take a nap. Later today I am going to a store to buy my friend something she asked for, she was in Umbertide 15 yrs ago.  Another adventure!

Ciao for now, Patricia