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The Animals, Trees, Four Winds and Thunderers: Thanksgiving Ode to the Amalfi Coast ~ PART THREE
- Lisa Melara
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
Welcome to PART THREE of my series on GRATITUDE in Travel, Nature, and Learning!
Each part of this series literally and figurately unearths the feelings, observations and insights experienced on my journey to the Amalfi Coast. The memories brought home in heart, head and soul remain forever. They relate to the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address honored by the Iroquois Indigenous People).
As you read this reflection think on these questions:
What do we leave behind in places we travel to? Are we patient and grateful for everyone who makes the journey possible? What might they remember of us?
What part of me did I share in the moment? Was it a smile, a squeal, a question, my silent listening as they shared their story or local history?
What does it mean to take something home? Need it be visible or could it be a memory, a breeze or a spiritual experience? What did you notice that you kept in your mind's eye or your heart?
THE ANIMALS
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us. They honor us when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our bodies.
A visit to Italy and especially the south does not occur without the presence of mozzarella, particularly buffalo mozzarella. This fresh, delightful mozzarella is an essential element or crowning glory for many appetizers, main meals and of course, pizzas! The cheese pairs like a marriage made in heaven with tomatoes, olives, bread, basil, and olive oil.
The warm milk fully frothed for cappuccino and late, gelato and lemon delights come from the animals that roam. Italians treasure a rabbit or Coniglio on their plates in various forms, stews and roasted. While seafood reigned supreme by the coast, veal, roasted chickens, and other meat prepared dishes peppered our plates.
I must pay tribute as well to the dogs sitting watch by doorways, wandering familiar village streets full of curves, often unleashed and completely familiar with their territory. We were in the company of cats living their life within the ruins of the Herculaneum. They are inhabitants, fast asleep, perched overhead or in a doorway amidst centuries of memories, ghosts, and lives that thrived long before our time. They belong there, while we visit their spirits for just a moment.
THE TREES
I reverently turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees, and the Amalfi Coast holds some special varieties. Trees provide shelter and shade to humans, animals, and other plants. Other varieties burst with fruit, flowers, seeds, and berries. Many people across the world see a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. Trees form community with each other, even supporting neighbor trees who are suffering.
It is hard to miss an umbrella pine tree! They set themselves grandly in the earth and reach tall and wide at the top. Their roots go deep, its trunk ventures high into the sky and its iconic “umbrella canopy” presents a form of beauty against the sky that inspires awe. The umbrella pine tree makes you look up, see beyond and smile. The “Ravello tree” in Villa Ravello, southwest of Salerno, is often referred to as the most photographed tree in Italy.
I discovered a new tree, surprisingly, in the center of the cloister at the Church of San Francisco (or St. Francis) in Sorrento. It was planted in the middle of the 14th century and sets the tone for the spiritual atmosphere in the courtyard. It reminded me of a weeping willow but is in fact an evergreen tree in the cashew tree family and produces pink peppercorns.
The raspberry color of bougainvillea flowering tree stretches like nature’s decorator. It is a living, breathing floral boa which climbs, arches, benches and decorates flourishes gloriously. The pale green of an olive tree draws my eye and is soaking up sun as it waits for its late year harvest. Fig trees hide within the landscape but if you look closely, their rich fruit hides within the artistic leaves. Of course, if you pay attention, lemon trees are tucked everywhere amidst the coast.
Where there are trees and bushes, there are birds. I listen for birdsong wherever I go, and the new sound heard was that of the Eurasian blackcap. It accompanied us in every Amalfi town and secretly sang from within the lush green of lemon arbors and floral bushes.
THE FOUR WINDS
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength.
The winds! We felt them in every direction on the coast and on our many coastal boat journeys. We felt the wind as it spread across the sea and splashed our bodies and faces. We felt its breeze across the sea to the shore.
We were relieved when the air gave us a split-second respite from unwavering heat. Breezes were coveted by us and brought forth by the winds who follow their own command. Who provides them with their direction? How do they know which way to go and who to flow over?
Our attention was captured and our powerlessness underscored when the winds kicked up and the skies grayed in our precious town of Positano. According to our local companions, thunder and rain rarely occur. However, on that day, unique and magical earthly winds arrived.
The change in wind and movement of air caught our attention. We stopped in our places on the porch. We paused and put our forks down and our drinks melted a bit, waiting for us. We weren’t just dining and visiting outside, but random travelers feeling a change in the air. We were aware something would be upon us that was unforgettable and unique. We were not disappointed.
THE THUNDERERS
With lightning and thundering voices, the ancestors, our forebearers, the winds and the skies bring with them the water that renews life.
We felt special and honored to be witnessing the arrival of a thunderstorm moving from left to right, changing the sky. It crept into sight then began to bear down upon us as we sat by the sea in our tucked away rooms. Dark skies and a strawberry moon arrived first. Lightning lit and left but came again. We could not ignore the power of the sky and its electricity, which was before our eyes a spectacle before our eyes.
Faithful servants in Positano also brought us a celebration of light to celebrate the saints of Peter and Paul on June 29th. I wonder what they were saying to have nature’s light show as the warmup act for their holy celebration. As when the Thunderers were done, and the storm passed, the people of the Positano shared their thanks and blessings with fireworks that further lit the sky.
How do you plan an itinerary that includes a thunderstorm, winds, midnight blue skies, a strawberry moon, and lightning that doesn’t seem real? How do you schedule this natural lineup on the very same day as a celebratory feast for the saints that include fireworks? You can’t of course, but you can be humbled and blessed by it and take its memory with you in your heart and mind.
We experienced an unforgettable and miraculous turn of events led by the thunderers, and a priceless gift during our time spent in lovely Positano.
Let us reflect and be thankful for these gifts given freely. Now our minds are one.
