monterosso

I'll never forget the first time I stepped foot in Monterosso. It was my third time in Italy, in 2011, the second time we brought our children overseas for a vacation. The family had taken a long train ride to Cinque Terre and we were all really ready to get to our destination.

We stepped off the train and were surprised to immediately see the sea right in front of us. It was brilliant blue and welcoming, and so peaceful. We all took a deep breath and smiled.

We walked along the main street for about five or ten minutes to our hotel, our suitcases bumping rhythmically over the stone street, the Liguiran Sea to our left, in this sleepy yet vibrant town.

We arrived at our hotel, a medium sized soft-yellow building along the main road, overlooking a local beach. Hotel La Spiaggia. The owner Andrea greeted us, and over the next week we would come to befriend both him and his young daughter Maria, who also worked at the front desk.  Every day after breakfast they would ask us what our plans were, and make suggestions of places to see, where to eat. To this day we have never experienced this kind of personal service in any hotel we have ever been to.

Monterosso is part of the region in Italy known as the Cinque Terre, or five towns. These small towns hover the sea, many simple homes built into the craggy rocks, high up with incredible views of the ocean. In summertime kids that grow up in the towns run barefoot down the carved stone walkways to the local beaches. They play soccer outdoors til the sun sets. They sit on small rounded multi-colored pebble beaches and talk to their grandfathers in Italian, while anchored boats rock in the distant sea.

I have been to many beautiful places where the earth meets the ocean. Monterosso, with few cars driving on the roads, is perhaps the most beautiful seafront town I have been to. It feels like you are going back in time.  Monterosso is one place where artists will have no shortage of inspiration.

maui

After our wedding my California husband took me to the place many Californians go in the winter, to Hawaii. He chose his favorite island, Maui.

Maui, to a small town girl from Penfield, New York, was magic.

In the open airport the moment I arrived I felt the warm balmy air on my skin. I remember the brilliant blue ocean, a color I had only seen once when I visited Catalina Island.  I remember eating fresh papaya with a lime juice drizzle every morning, the peaceful expansive green hills upcountry, cows and sheep grazing for miles. I remember the exotic fish meals we had, with macadamia nut crust, and purple potatoes on the side. I remember walks on the soft sand that stretched for miles.

But mostly, when I think of Maui that first time, I remember the flowers -- the sweet subtle smell of plumeria, and the brilliant pinks, oranges, and red colored tropical flowers growing everywhere, just bursting with joy to be alive.

dreaming up a journey

Mt Tamalpais, Mill Valley California

I married a man I dreamed up in high school. 

As a freshman I was part of a huge cast in the school play, and there was this cute senior named Rick. He was so sweet to everyone and he played the piano. Everyone would gather around to sing with him. I decided then and there that I would marry a man like that.

Eleven years later I was living and working in Washington DC and I took a trip to visit a friend who had just moved to Berkeley. She showed me all around northern California. I loved the beauty and spirit of the area – biking in the mountains, exploring the secluded craggy beaches.   From her house I could walk to the enormous Whole Foods Market on Telegraph Avenue, and wander around the famous U.C. Berkeley campus.  

I didn’t know why but I felt so at home there. Being a small town girl I was usually a little anxious in cities. But not Berkeley. I felt so welcome there.

I don’t know if it was the fragrance of the eucalyptus trees, the warmth of the friendly sun, the vibe of the people, or something else. But the atmosphere in northern California permeated my being and made me want to stay.

A year passed and I decided to revisit my friend in northern California. During this trip I met my piano man who was living in Mill Valley amongst the redwoods. I fell in love with him and was already in love with California. So I decided to move there to see if the relationship with California and my piano man would last.

I'm so glad I did. Two years later we were married in our back yard in Mill Valley.