Girasole, meaning “turns towards the Sun”. Interestingly the Italian name for sunflowers, the reason being they grow up facing the direction where the sun rises and following the sun religiously through out the day to maximise photosynthesis. Lucked out that eternal summer, no more I love you's, landed in Bologna, Italy. Took to the train to the seaside town, Rimini, picked up my little car drove off. It felt so liberating to be back on the country side. My heart filled with casual sense of relief, to be able to spend my whole summer here feeding my dire overworked soul. Undulating terroir, uneven shades of green and beige, the scent of morning vineyards and dry grass hay. The best part of it all, no overcrowding at all. Just me and lots of space. Finally away from keyboards, reminding myself this why I travel to feel alive again. Whats there not to love about Italy: rich in culture, cuisine, coffee, compassion and castles.
Its quite random how I end up in Le Marche. I had no major plan to begin with, that's how life should be. Let the little things surprise you everyday. On the second week of June, I drove pass massive fields that stretched out as far as my eyes can see. Before I came to my realisation that I am in sunflower land and its the blooming season, especially on a sunny day, bright yellow adorned these land with wisdom jewels. No wonder McDonald's logo is yellow in colour. A city boy standing in the middle bright yellow fields, my senses immediately calm down with clarity, fresh energy and enlightenment. How I was I so lucky to be alive? Was I meant to witness how destructively beautiful mother nature and human can create.
Most international (the Chinese) tourists flock to the South of France for photo opportunity like these and not many come here to the eastern Italian region. Its truly Italy’s best kept secret (well, not a secret anymore thanks to me) Don’t worry, the people of Marche would welcome anyone to know more about their region. Just like the Japanese's version of Cherry Blossom season, the sunflowers would be harvested within 3 weeks of full bloom. Everything about that week was perfect. How I wish it can stay forever bloom all year round, there would not be any depress people left on earth. Other activities like wine tasting at vineyards that produce amazing Red wine (Morro d'Alba) White wine (Verdicchio). You will unlikely to run out of activities here.
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