| Sometimes traveling isn't just about going to | | | | |
| a destination; it's a state of mind. | | | | The green, aromatic oil tastes so fresh and |
| Physically, I've been trapped in South | | | | so light that you taste what you are meant to |
| Carolina for seven months now while mentally | | | | taste - the fruit of the olive tree - and not |
| I try and put myself back in my favorite | | | | something reminiscent to wheel bearing |
| European places. One of my very favorites is | | | | grease. So even if my bruschetta is made |
| the Tuscany region of Italy. While the city | | | | from imported North Carolina tomatoes, South |
| in South Carolina is a blistering desert of | | | | Carolina french bread, parmesan from Kraft, |
| concrete, Tuscany radiates a rejuvenating | | | | and dried basil from a lousy little plastic |
| warmth that washes over you like the rolling | | | | jar (out of fresh basil again...), I still |
| green of the hills. | | | | have my beautiful drizzling Tuscan olive oil. |
| | | | |
| Since I'm currently unable to experience the | | | | Italians also understand and appreciate the |
| area in person, I can only do what I can to | | | | concept of 'breaks' (and not the 15 minute |
| substitute the experience. CDs full of | | | | kind). Time doesn't rule a Tuscan's day, |
| pictures taken during my travels bring back | | | | rather it revolves around life at the moment. |
| stifled laughs and fond memories. The coffee | | | | I rush from one end of my current hometown to |
| table books I've collected over the years are | | | | the other, running errands and trying to make |
| so full of intense color and vivid landscape | | | | it to appointments on time - in Italy, being |
| scenes that it makes my ache even worse. I | | | | late is 'normale.' And when it gets to |
| even read "Under the Tuscan Sun" this week | | | | lunchtime, there's no rushing through the |
| (which isn't done justice by the movie). | | | | meal and then jumping back into a schedule. |
| Mayes is such a descriptive writer. She does | | | | Between the shining sun at its zenith and a |
| such a perfect job bringing the area to life | | | | full stomach that's pulling you into a food |
| and I believe, deserves much credit for | | | | coma, the day calls for a siesta. This |
| putting Cortona on the map. Her book stirs | | | | ingenious concept not only refreshes the body |
| memories of my one day in this little town - | | | | but it literally pulls your mind into another |
| hot chocolate and pastries at a little | | | | world. Why fret about the next two hours when |
| café in the morning, gelato under a | | | | everyone else's life has also come to a |
| patio umbrella in the pouring rain, and linen | | | | relaxing standstill? |
| shopping after the sun triumphed over the | | | | |
| stubborn clouds. It almost makes me forget | | | | Daydream, watch the tall grasses blow in the |
| that my 'gelato' is now Eddy's or something | | | | wind, or drink a cappuccino among friends |
| from Dairy Queen. | | | | with a vineyard as a backdrop. Until the |
| | | | notion of a daily siesta takes hold in |
| I also try to substitute with cooking - of | | | | America, I attempt to create my own with |
| course, I'm far from the authentic cuisine I | | | | plastic patio furniture and a Coca-Cola |
| once savored in the local family-owned | | | | ...that is, until the phone starts to ring |
| restaurants. Tortellini al forno, penne | | | | with endless telemarketers anxious to sell me |
| al'arabiatta, even plain old spaghetti | | | | siding or refinance my mortgage. |
| marinara is a work of art in Tuscany. I throw | | | | |
| basil around like it's going out of style, | | | | There are just some places that feed your |
| get all giddy when I find a sweet gorgonzola | | | | soul and remain in your heart no matter where |
| or pecorino cheese at the grocery store, and | | | | you go. The rise and fall of the graceful |
| keep Verdi on full volume while I create my | | | | hills, the glittery silver-green leaves of |
| own personal Italy in the kitchen. | | | | the olive trees, the way the aged bricks glow |
| Fortunately, I've been able to bring back the | | | | in the last rays of the evening sun all call |
| very best extra virgin olive oil in the | | | | me back for more. In the meantime, though, |
| entire country - La Macchia. | | | | I'll remain in a Tuscan state of mind. |