Le Marche, Italy - Food, Family, Friends and Fond memories
I'm not sure which of the above "F" words come first but in Italy you really can't have one without the other. Food is what brings people together and when mama is cooking, the family and friends will be at the table. Our house sit, in the rural countryside of Le Marche, was at the crossroad of a small immaculate shrine and a little lane that led to mama Adriana's simple farm house. During the day the main activity was tractors and sheep but come evening it was peak hour traffic racing in for the best seat in the house. Our lack of the language left us without a dinner invite but with a quick course in garden foraging. What looked like a load of weeds in a field was carefully picked by mama and placed in a basket soon to be in a pot, although I'm not sure if it was for consumption or medicinal purposes.
We did however, receive a "how to make pasta" and dinner invite from an unlikely host - a hilarious Canadian with Irish roots who fell in love with Italy and bought a house here. Along with her fun son (our chef), our wonderful fellow house sitter from down the lane (who helped us in so many ways), and a witty expat English/Aussie, we had the "Claytons Italian experience", you know the kind without any actual Italians. It was a very funny night with delicious food and local wines set in a restored villa aside the church, atop the hilltop with sweeping views across the region...magic.
It's easy to fall in love with Italy, the weather is pleasant, the food is simple and unfussed. Beaches, mountains and cities are within short distances with train travel fast and convenient. Real estate is affordable as is the cost of living. Rules are not as strict as Australia with one driving fine being paid in Panettones (as hilariously told by a local). Best of all though is the Italian Apperitivo, where you get together with friends, enjoy a Prosecco or Aperol spritz and eat a selection of small dishes as served by the house. It's a really lovely concept that helps wind down your day, relax, and it costs little more than the drink itself. Of course being with friends and family is what makes it more special.
Le Marche in central Italy, was particularly relaxing for us. Not only we were spoiled with breathtaking scenery, we made some wonderful new friends from all over the world. People just seemed happier here which made us happier. Perhaps it was the apperitivo or just the fresh country air but when bad news came from home in the middle of the night, I was able to cope. Had I been in the rush of Rome on a hot marathon day, as we were to be, I may not have coped so well. Bad news on any day is not welcome, especially when you are half a world away from home, but thanks to the beauty of Italy, the kindness of the people and the relaxing nature of our surrounds, my stress was controlled. A far stretch from life before we ventured on our 'adult gap year/midlife crisis'.
Perhaps our new friends found their stress relieved when they came to Italy. It is a beautiful country where old and new worlds blend perfectly together. Artistry fills your view inspiring creativity and calm. Food is grown and appreciated as is the art of eating and drinking. And everything can be fixed with a Panettone. Whatever that magic is that Italy has, it all begins food, family and friends, and leaves you with fond memories forever.
#Back down the lane
#Skip the weeds, forage for food
#Go make friends in central Italy