It is said that when God decided to take a vacation, he created Italy.
Indeed, for when you are there you live a different kind of life. The sun is different, the air is magical, and your heart hears things that has never stopped to listen before. Walking on the ancient streets of Rome, your light steps echo on the pavement, the crystal dingle of half full glasses lingers in the air, the wind picks up the ends of your dress, chasing away the lazy afternoon heat and you feel like your legs were made for dancing. You want to take pictures, to capture everything in the lense of the camera, to fill it up as much as the tender beauty around you has filled up your heart. But somehow, even the best camera fails to do the job.
Here, you can talk to the gods. They watch over you with an intrepid gaze, peeking from fountains, corners and building tops. You can tell them secrets, share wishes and longings or just sit quietly near their side. They would appreciate that the most. For in the silence they can hear all of your hopes, dreams and fears. And they will listen. And their silence will offer you solace.
There, in the blazing mantle of the sunset, that embroiders the edges of the grey clouds with a golden tread, melting in all the timeless beauty around you, you realize that you have discovered the most beautiful spot in the universe. The place where everything is fragrant. Tourists travel from place to place, looking for beauty. With photos and souvenirs they try to take the beauty home. They only get tired and tanned. Don't look here and there; come within you, that place is in you. When you are here, then any place becomes beautiful. Then wherever you go, you add beauty there.
