When I think of Italy, I see before me rows upon rows of Mediterranean cypress trees, warm sand-coloured houses, fields of dusty dark green olive trees, hairpin turns on mountainsides overlooking il mare mosso, cobblestoned streets with windows on either side displaying delicacies of this elegant country.
I hear the ringing of church bells, the singing of what I believe is the most beautiful language, the happy chipping of birds in swaying canopies, the chatter from kitchens, the occasional scooter flying expertly by.
I feel the salty breeze from the ocean, the sun kissing my cheeks, the laughter filling my heart.
I smell the green herbs sprouting from creases in walls and beds on the ground, the sun-warmed greenery, the faint, bittersweet scent of gasoline, the garden-fresh fruits and vegetables from markets.
With their singing voices and gesticulations with hands, arms, yes, the whole body, you can do nothing but fall in love with the country, culture, and language that gave birth to dolce far niente.
Of course, I only have superficial eyes on the beauty of Italy, but having travelled in Italy more times than I am years old, I have come to think of this country with affection and peace. The warm-hearted people, the sumptuous delicacies, the sometimes rather self-made but perfectly functioning rules, the nature that can make you wander forever. Everything that composes the ease of life the Italians are living with is what makes the sun feel warmer, the people nicer, the streets cosier, the waves clearer.
Being a Scandinavian, this slightly quirky culture offers a delightful counterbalance to the Danish fixed frames. But alas, we Danes call ourselves the Italians of the North, and so the escapes to Italy not only bring fascination and curiosity but also a sense of relief to be in the beautiful frames of the South.
One thing, however, that never ceases to impress me about Italians is their innate mastery of living in the moment. Their ability to sit, sometimes for hours on end, watching life play out in front of them, watching passersby, nature, traffic, the local atmosphere, while reflecting on existence and life.
They call it dolce far niente — the sweetness of doing nothing.
And in a world of constant improvement, competition, and discovery, of rushing towards endless goals, of always wanting to be one step ahead, this is truly an admirable ability.
Reply