Holiday, one of my favorite words. It is in my personal top ten of the most electrifying and beautiful words to say, to think about and to experience!
There are so many memories behind this kaleidoscopic term: the holidays at the seaside in Tuscany with my family when I was little; weeks spent on the beach and under umbrellas, swimming in the sea and in the pool, suntanning and ice cream, sand pails and castles; the pine trees and the merry-go-rounds. Together with the first sunburns come the first crushes. Then, there were the vacations in Calabria, still with my parents but I was more grown up and I could stay out after dinner with my friends. I went to my first bonfires on the beach where there was always someone who could play guitar so we all would sing songs of love and rebellion. I remember the slow, quiet swims in the early morning, with only a friend with me and a few fisherman returning from fishing the night before. The sea is so magnificent at that time of day with the Technicolor light shining all around me! I was so happy.
After I turned twenty, my vacations changed. They were as anticipated as ever but with a more adventurous and 'universal' flare. New York, London, Paris, Miami, Jamaica, the Azores, Istanbul, Marsa Alam, Stykkisholmur, Syracuse and so many other places where I was able to admire incredible paintings, sculptures and buildings; immense waterfalls and explosive geysers, majestic whatles and barrier reefs of shockingly colorful coral; fine sand and turquoise seas. I got emotional watching the eruption of Mount Stromobli. Ah, Sicily, what an incredible place! I tasted new foods, rode on subways, flew on large and small planes, rode on trains, broken cars and taxis. I have slept in tents on the ground and among the clouds in skyscrapers. I have met many people and learned of their traditions and customs that are different than mine. And in each place I went, I always found a helping hand. I know, I am very lucky and I hope to remain so for may more years to come.
You probably see by now that the word Holiday for me means relaxation but also discovery. I think that travelling and turning your vacation into a means for personal growth is almost an obligation that we owe to ourselves. You don't have to go far to widen your horizons: even a city or town near you can surprise you. Have a wonderful holiday everyone, from the bottom of our hearts.
It is vacation time for me as well, so we will see each other again in September. I will come back certainly restore and ready to take on another season of work with enthusiasm. I love this work so much! This time I would like to say goodbye in a different way: with a song by Madonna which will always be the perfect soundtrack to my vacations and happily gathering together. Happy listening!
If you liked this article, you might also be interested in DHG Color Storytelling Wheat.
WRITE A COMMENT