Reflections

Adjusting back to life in the states, grounding myself after an incredible trip with my twin sister to italy. Humbleness, graciousness and acceptance were the inital themes at the start of the journey as I attempted to manuveur my way in a foreign land. I thoroughly enjoy being thrown back on myself only to have to muster up what strength you know you possess and what strength you don't know you possess to make your way. I rented an old vintage bike to cruise the streets with...for the first 45 min or so the pedaling was adrenaline charged as I wide eyed my way through the streets. Then the pedaling settled as I settled. I found a place to crash for the night and went on the hunt for my sister who was attending the Slow Food International Conference - Terre Madre - in Turino. I made my way through the thousands of people from all over the world, speaking so many differnet languages, all smiling and all there to spread and share their declarations of agriculture as activism. People and music from Italy, Chile, Peru, Zimbabwe, everywhere...amazing and inspiring! Throughout the trip we traveled to the north, where in a little town called Oulz I played soccer with some great Italian kids. Not one of us able to speak the others language so with each great shot or goal scored, their were exaggerated falls to the ground in a show of triumph, if you try there are plenty of ways to communicate!! South to Firenze, or Florence, quite the city! Where we did most of our "sightseeing" at night with a bottle of wine in hand as we strolled through the streets, not having to share Neptune or Pan with others. The only true daytime art seeking we did was after MY David, well I guess he's Michelangelo's. I practically fell in love with Michelangelo about 7 years ago when I began carving wood. Though I only mastered spoons and ladels, I gained an incredible appreciation for the grains in wood and working WITH them to create your vision. So as I read and learned about this master of marble, of course I was impressed! Seeing David in Firenze, up close and personal shut me up quick! Michelangelo's David is essentially the essence of man to me...!! He is not portrayed in his typical "triumphantly victorious over death" pose, but rather in a triumphantly meditative pose. His pose encompasses a man who is strong, independent and free, graceful, a man willing to stand up for his rights and his passions, revered for his integrity and his intellect and with no need to be boastful along the way....DAMN Italy really does turn all into a sensual experience!! We then spent time at a goat farmer's place in Greve In Chianti, a great man and his family, living the good life and working damn hard for it! This region also just so happened to be the home of Chianti, when in Italy... Then out to the coast... where we experienced a true coastal fishing/port town, where we were truely the only (least it felt that way) English speakers there and where we really got the feel for the way the locals live, eat and play! Then next coastal town we traveled to and the sun came out...swimming in the Mediterranean sea, yoga on the beach at dawn...AHHHH! Back in the states, inspired and ready to continue on my path...keep in touch with the blog for updates, more photos will be posted on Picasa Gallery and soon we'll begin the first herb in the herb of the month series!!