It's not even an easy thing to explain. I mean, the place is nothing really that special. There are other more glamorous islands in the Mediterranean, and we stay in an extremely non-sophisticated camping ground which can be crowded and noisy. Plus it's a long haul across Italy, on the car ferry then across the top of Corsica. So what is it then?
Could it be the early morning swims out to the last buoy when the small beach is empty?
Could it be making a strong coffee after said swim on your camp stove?
Could it be wearing the same thing every day, feeling so sandy and salty in your bare feet?
Or drinking local chestnut beer in the wooden shed bar on the beach?
Or wandering along the rocky coast and finding a spot your umbrella, having a few nude dips?
Could it reading for hours each afternoon, book after blessed book, salty swim after salty swim?
Could it be the endless pebbles and crashing waves of Nonza beach?
Could it the computer-ipad-screenlessness of your days?
Could it be the smells of summer as you hike through villages inland?
Could it be drinking Pastis in bars along the coast?
Could it be the sultry, star-fringed nights and not knowing what day it was?
I dunno, I'm clueless. What do you think?
* * * * *
Now back on the ranch I received an intriguing Twitter feed email inviting me to follow Pope (Papa) Francesco. It seems that Papa Francesco has a gazillion followers but how many people does the Pope follow? How many would you say?
Well, it's just 8.
Doesn't that make you crawl in your seat wondering who those eight people might be? His cousin in Argentina? Obama? Shirley Bassey? Who??
Hi Catherine, when you figure out what it is, please let me know. I suffer with the same condition. I never say anything cause I think I must be weird so it is good to hear you voice it. Good to get your post Lyn
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I think it's the brain detachment and living passively as a receiver of experience and not an organiser and initiator! Also the simplicity.. and not having to do so many things.. September will be difficult!! Are you still travelling?
DeleteHi Catherine, I am now home in Aus. I left Italy at the end of June. My stories for my blog keep me re living that wonderful 7 weeks. And, they will do until the next time I am in Italy.
ReplyDeleteSame here! I will be reliving my Corsica moments all winter!
DeleteAnd all I want to do is to go home :(
ReplyDeleteOh dear ! And when will that be? Will we catch up before the end of the year? X
DeleteOooh, I think it's all of the above. : ) I know, isn't the 'rientro' tough? Coming from a holiday-stingy country, we don't have this problem of adjustment in America, but here in Italy, I suffer every September when I return from a nice, long break. Your escape sounds idyllic. Funny about Papa Francesco. Alas, I'm not among those lucky eight... but it certainly does make you wonder who is. : )
ReplyDeleteI know.. summer is sooo long here.. and September such a beautiful month but we don't treat her so well. I'm not coming to Matera!! Can you believe this?
DeleteI'm not among the lucky eight either!