Ah, the holiday . . .
Yesterday evening we four hikers had a full-blown conversation around what constitutes a holiday (relevant to yesterday's journal question). While the word certainly derives from "Holy Day," the typical European refers to time away (vacation) as "the holiday." Though last night I deferred to the word's root origin, today I'm updating with the notion of the holiday as a vacation. And in my mind, there are no bad holidays! Sure, there are those instances of delayed flights, lost bags, confusing directions and even of testy travel partners . . . And in my mind, what good challenges to experience! Each of these (and all of their expansions and permutations) mean we have the opportunity or occasion to get away from it all and take holiday.
Today's trail was all about getting away from it all. Originating out of a bed & breakfast housed in 18th century buildings and run by a former fashion-industry maven (born and raised in Bologna) we started our walk uphill (again) working off last night's polenta (with cheese and ham), tagliatelle verde primi, brandy soaked tenderloin secondi and panna cotta dessert.
Our walk this morning initially was along a ridge overlooking the Sasso Marconi of the Emilio Romagna region, revealing farming communities nestled in quiet valleys separated by plowed fields, rocky roads and lightly forested belts of land. As we emerged from our ridge line walk we passed small farms, grand villas perched to command the best of views, apiaries buzzing with bees and funky bed and breakfasts with yards of dogs -- and the occasional chicken coop or rabbit warren. All pleasant visual diversions for our sweaty presence.
My favorite part of today was the tiny hamlet of Cocci -- really just a small cluster of buildings and a church. The rustic appearance screamed, "This is not of your world. You get to see this because you choose to get away -- and you choose to do so by walking."
This is my bliss. The rhythm of the trail. The heart-pumping ascents and the leg stretching down hills. The pleasure of spending ALL of one's days out of doors. The joy of new sights and the unanswered question of the road. This 24 km stretch had it all. And it was all good. After all, we are on holiday!
Our walk this morning initially was along a ridge overlooking the Sasso Marconi of the Emilio Romagna region, revealing farming communities nestled in quiet valleys separated by plowed fields, rocky roads and lightly forested belts of land. As we emerged from our ridge line walk we passed small farms, grand villas perched to command the best of views, apiaries buzzing with bees and funky bed and breakfasts with yards of dogs -- and the occasional chicken coop or rabbit warren. All pleasant visual diversions for our sweaty presence.
This is my bliss. The rhythm of the trail. The heart-pumping ascents and the leg stretching down hills. The pleasure of spending ALL of one's days out of doors. The joy of new sights and the unanswered question of the road. This 24 km stretch had it all. And it was all good. After all, we are on holiday!
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