It’s Tuesday evening. I’m sitting in my hotel room in the middle of Cosenzo, Italy. This is the first time since I arrived that we are in a city setting. It seems a dream that I woke up this morning in a refurbished old stone farmhouse, where my window looked out to the east where the sun rose over the Ionian Sea. My view included the farm fields stretching out as if they would go straight into the sea beyond.

There were six of us fortunate enough to stay in the small agriturismo named “CieloGreco” located in the Amendolara Marina region of Calabria, Italy. We were to all be in another agriturismo located a few miles up the road, but they did not have enough rooms for all of us and Margherita was directed to this adjoining property. I am so thankful to have been selected to stay at this small, family run agriturismo.

I found peace there in the quiet. I spent some time sitting in the sun with a cat curled up on my lap. I had dogs rolling over for belly rubs when I walked by. And always Teo and Rosanna asking if we needed anything.

This morning at breakfast, it felt as though we were family departing. We were all taking group photos that included Teo and Rosanna and Maria (the cook). There were so many hugs and kisses as we prepared to leave. After all the luggage had been loaded into the shuttle, and the last of us had climbed into the van, Teo helped the van driver to find a place to turn around. And then we were starting around the big house to head down the driveway. When we came around the house, there was Teo, Rosanna and Maria at the back of the house waving hands and towels at us as we departed. I must admit that I was close to tears. I’m not sure I was ready to leave.

After a few hours on a bus, we arrived in Cosenza. I had visited Cosenza last time I was in Italy. But we did not stay in the city that time. I sit here in my aging, dated hotel room listening to non-stop traffic whizzing by the hotel on the streets outside. The blaring of horns is frequent. And there is the chatter of people walking past the hotel.

I have to admit that I already miss the quiet of the farm. I guess I’m not much of a city girl.