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