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Italy, Beautiful Italy!

I realize I've already got an archived writing about "Bella Italia", but it just keeps happening in my life, so I can't help but write about it!

This summer was the second Rhonda Larson Italy Masterclass that we have held: a seven day marathon of music-making, hard work, and great fun for all of us! (more about that on the Italy Masterclass page).

A couple of weeks prior to the masterclass, Lee and I arrived in Italy. There is something completely magical about Italy, it is very difficult to define. Life simply seems more 'sweet' in Italy. I realize it is a place that I am able to "get away" to, an entirely different country than my own, so this is one factor that makes it so freeing. But more than that, I believe it is the "Slow Life" factor that makes Italy so spectacular for me.

In the area where Lee and I have our house, the Sabina Mountain region (where there are some of the best olive oils in all Italy), there is a strong adherence to the movement called "Slow Food". It began by one Italian man in the 1980's, Carlo Petrini, who took part in a campaign against the fast-food chain McDonald's opening near the Spanish Steps in Rome. Further, the Slow Food movement strongly advocates locally grown foods, non-engineered foods, etc. The movement has carried itself so successfully that there are now publications and various activities based completely on this 'slowing down' concept, world-wide. It is precisely this 'slowing down' aspect that seems to resonate most with me, an actual life-style that practices "savoring" every moment of life, calmly and gratefully (not just food). I don't think there is a "Slow Life" movement, but I hereby start it, or advocate for it, if not!

The village of Roccantica, where Lee and I have our house.

Each time I arrive in Italy, I find a sudden recognition of how FAST I live my life in the USA. I'd have to admit that most things I do are calculated as to how much time they will take, and what methods I can employ to make them the most expedient--it's all about 'efficiency', it seems in my case. The only thing that will not adhere to this Fast Life method, thankfully, is the flute----practicing. Yes, I certainly have a "method" of practice that allows me to learn new things in the quickest amount of time, but in the end, music requires its own time, and I am obliged to give it all the time it needs. Other than flute and other leisure activities such as hiking or biking, everything is Fast Life. All in all, it can be seen as spending a great deal of my life "getting things over with", rather than truly 'living' them with astute conciousness. Sometimes there is no avoiding this, but largely, I'd have to say it is just a bad habit I have gotten into, where it actually prevents my living more "deeply", because I'm flying here and there, all according to timelines, responsibilities, and clock time in every 24 hour period.

It was over 10 years ago that I first discovered the danger of living the 'Fast Life' (read: with limited conciousness), and since that discovery, I have conciously tried to keep 'walking up stream' against that heavy current that so wants me to give in and "float"---downstream, of course. (I discovered it first at my friends Cabin in Conncticut, which you can read about). Around the same period of time in Connecticut, I was about to make what would have turned out to be a really bad life decision for me (moving to California for all the wrong reasons). I was out riding my bike to the post office, as fast as possible, and turned a sharp corner on a sidewalk (showing off, I suppose, just to myself), and I went flying on some loose pine needles that I did not see---slamming down on the pavement and sliding about 20 feet. A dead stop! I got up, brushed myself off, and looked first around me to see if anyone saw the terrible event I just went through----thank goodness, no, I was now left only to my wounded pride and body.....Nothing broke, but I still have the scar on my hip to prove that I got that message about my life loud and clear: "s-l-o-w d-o-w-n, or you will make a wrong decision at this juncture in your life!". I got it. I did not make the wrong decision, thanks to that awakening bike wipe-out. Plus, I also learned not to take corners fast...

Meanwhile, back to the present...Within mere days in Italy, I begin to slow down to a proper pace. What happens is that I begin what I can only describe as 'cultivating awareness', due to the luxury of actually slowing down, which in itself delivers gratitude for everything. Divine, how that works! Give to every event the time it needs, not a clock time. What's the hurry? Sure, I'm on a time-line with impending death, but why not live while I'm here? My inward motto became "take your time". Though every day is still a 'work day', as it always is for both Lee and I, it is somehow 'freer' when the vista is from Italy. All things 'slower'. (And by the way, you are often forced into this way of living: NOTHING happens quickly in Italy, and you learn to happily acquiesce to this forced leisurely lifestyle).

I began each day drinking my chai tea while taking in the amazing view off the terrace, which is never the same view twice, due to the changing sky colors and varied weather scenes below.

Next, a brisk hike (this HAS to be done speedily, to get the greatest cardio effect, of course) through the woods that lead to an ancient hermitage of San Leonardo. While at the hermitage (completely in the remote woods), I stretch out.

One day, on my return from my hike, I saw these hefty mules---this is how "logging" is done for winter wood---mules up on the steep trails, hauling down the wood. If you need wood, you literally order "one mule worth" or "two mules worth". The ropes are designed that when they bring the mule to your cantina (storage area), they pull one end and it unleashes the entire wood load, dumping it directly where you now do not have to stack it up!

After my hike, I was fortunate to have the use of a friends house down in the valley (private location, compared to living in the village) where I could practice to my heart's content---no one around. First, I would do my yoga (20 minutes), and then practice for several hours---during siesta (after-lunch break time)! The reason this is so significant is because I cannot practice in the village during siesta, it has to be quiet, as most Italians take a nap right after lunch, and supposedly start working again around 4 PM. That break makes great sense out in the agricultural area where we live, as it is the hottest time of day, so they sleep it off and wake up when it is cooler. I did not want to get in the habit of afternoon naps, so I worked through siesta at this private location, blasting my flute high and low, without disturbing anyone. (When I have not had the use of this private house, I simply go out to San Leonardo's hermitage and practice there, the flute(s) echoing off the mountainsides.)

The meals in Italy are always the best part of every day. (Expect that each meal will be a minimum of 3 hours.) Slow Food, fresh food, tomatoes that taste sweet, have the fragrance of their vines, not tasteless with a twist of vinegar like they tend to be in the States...Who Knew how great a taste to eat FRESH figs wrapped in a slice of prosciutto? Salty and sweet, what an amazing combination! And Who Knew that they make fresh buffalo milk ice-cream? It tasted like panna cotta (or creme brule) dessert! This is the same buffalo milk used for the great buffalo mozarella cheese, which is often had with a slice of tomato, olive oil, and a tear of basil leaf (called "caprese"). And Who Knew at this one restaurant that if you ordered the vegetarian antipasti of the "local territory" for four people, that it would come on more than 20 different, large plates!! And how amazing is it when your neighbor, whose frontmost side window opens close enough to your terrace that she hands you a FRESH bottle of their own olive oil one day, home-made wine another day, and fresh peaches and figs from their trees another day! Such is the magic of Italy!

After the masterclass was finished, Lee and I had only three days left to stay in Italy before returning home. On the day we had to leave, I pouted big time! Not ready to return to Fast Life! But we returned, and though I'm back on what I imagine as the mouse-spinning-wheel, I am thus far keeping all the reminders I learned from our time in Italy:

1. "Time", particularly the lack of its availability, does not have to mean "panic" or "rush".

2. Using your body to climb steep stairs, or mountain trials, or mountains without trails is always part of your Real Work in life. Enjoy the massive sweat, in astoundingly hot sun!

3. Life is sweet, soft, lovable, pliable.

4. Keep as friends only positive and uplifting people in your life.

5. LOVE email, and that it exists. (I'm always working on this--I have a love/hate relationship with it, usually). As I've said in the past, "the answering machine is the greatest invention since the phone", so is email the greatest invention since...well, a personal secretary collecting messages? It is an awaiting opportunity, life knocking on your door...They require calmness. (yeah, ok, I'm trying to hang on to that one in particular, especially when I have two minutes available to answer 30 emails...and I still like email!) Carefulness and thoughtfulness, even if downloads take FOREVER due to having dial-up (as our Italy modem). All the better to get up and admire the views, eat a fresh fig...

6. TV still sucks. It is a waste of time. (Sometimes, we want to waste time, though!)

7. The opportunity of meals is for refreshment of soul and body, cultivating friendships, gratitude and awareness.

8. "Work" is not a whip you flagellate yourself with. It is merely an activity of furthering positive opportunities. (repeat to self 10 times).

9. See, hear/listen, touch/experience, taste, sniff, and be wise! Take life in, this is the only one you get! (That you will remember, anyway). Another motto while there: "Let go, and Let Italy".

10. Italy is an ADVENTURE, and every day there is an experience of truly living, and letting go of time contraints. Why not carry that perspective everywhere?

Dear Mr. Slow Life, please keep me in your clutches, while teaching me to be even more productive on the levels that really matter--my Real Work. Like leaving walking trails in the woods from where I walk day in and day out (I mean this metaphorically).

You yourself can dip your foot into that magic land of Italy! Anyone wanting to travel there is welcome to rent our place (Lee made me say that!).

Happy last week of August, and best to your upcoming 'academic' year! May it be not merely 'academic', but an adventure!

---Rhonda
August 27, 2009

Archived writings from Rhonda (in order of most RECENT writing):

14. Winter into Spring, 2009

13. A beautiful and auspicous time: NOW! (Obama and Inspiration)

12. How I Spent my Christmas Vacation (Yo-Yo Ma Competition)

11. Springing to Life

10. Life as a Performing Artist (in a nutshell)

9. Italy Masterclass in the Participants Words

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