I went through a stormy summer, both in heart and mind. You need to know that after an almost six years relationship with a woman (we lived together for three years), I found myself single in June. I was not meant to leave or to escape from reality, and at the beginning of September I got back in touch with an old friend of mine from Sardinia.
After a first, virtual approach, a positive feeling has begun to get stronger inside me, we started exchanging our thoughts through messages and it was like we were establishing a connection.
So, one day in September, led by the curiosity to see her again (but not only that, as I would have met other old friends, once my fellow students) I made up my mind to leave, I started looking for a cheap flight, I found it, I bought it and then I was ready to go.
I left for Sardinia on September the 18th with a direct flight Venice-Alghero, with just a very small overnight bag, load with curiosity and respect for a land which has always given a lot to me: its scents, its colors, its faces and personalities.
As soon as I arrived in Alghero, my mind suddenly got rid of the obvious ordinary life that surrounded me before. After a short wait, made pleasant by the inebriating smells, I saw a guy coming closer, Andrea from Castelsardo, my former fellow student back to University.
My heart was beating very fast as it had been a long time, about six years, since last time we met. I ran towards him, I gave him a big hug and all those years were suddenly wiped out. It was like meeting for the very first time. On our way home we talked about memories, about our lives, our dreams, the good and the bad stuff.
I didn’t plan the usual trip before leaving, I was not looking for amazing beaches (though I found them), but I just needed to stay with my old friends, to live the past again.
And the past immediately permeated my sense of smell, my taste buds and my sight: we had lunch in a rural home from 1800, property of my friend’s family, today restored in parts and used as Bed&Breakfast, tucked away among the gently Sedini hills, surrounded by organic gardens, wild animals and wind turbine blades; my sight expanded, my mind opened and my heart was grateful.
The dining table was sublime, full of everything, products from the garden, not treated and cooked according to recipes passed on from a generation to another.
I heartily recommend to anyone who needs to take a break from the chaotic city life, to spend a few time here, also a couple of days, your body and your mind will be very grateful to you; moreover, guests are allowed to take everything they want form the garden.
Our time ran fast in a blaze of flavors, colors and friends, so it got dark and we made our way to Castelsardo, during which we were pleased by another surprise: a northwest wind (meastrale) was blowing and I spent a couple of the following days accompanied by its gentle force while visiting almost unknown and beautiful places, untouched by the mass tourism, another Sardinia.
I decided, together with my two friends who were hosting me, to spend a few days visiting my old friend I got back in touch with.
After a frenetic preparation, trying to conciliate my friends job issues (it was in the middle of September) with our plan, we finally left for Oristano and, once arrived in Torre Grande, we met with Paola and all together we reached S’Anea Scoada, an enchanting seaside town.
I have been unexpectedly caught by other strong emotions, again due to the typical island’s flavors; I could never forget the original bottarga (grey mullet eggs) di Cabras, a fantastic cheese with honey, a divine taste fish and, least but not last, the wine.
While we were spending the night talking on the terrace, we glanced up and saw a flock of flamingos flying in the rose background of a star painted blue sky, Cassiopeia smiled at us. We have been in another dimension for two days, with the quartz sand of Isatturas, Tarros ruins (where we also dedicated ourselves in the accomplishment of a special mission, cleaning up cigarettes, plastic bags, bottles and other rubbish the sea got rid of), former stone caves “pietre sonore” and the saline.
While lingering over our meal at S. Giovanni, we breathed a different air, time seemed to slow down and nobody was in a hurry. It was peace of mind, immersed in unique colors, thinking of what we are chasing and running after every day.
I saw places like those only in Mexico, places I could never forget and, once known, so attractive that it is impossible not be eager to see again. On the way back home, we stayed in Castelsardo overnight.
A dinner with true friends, the usual Sardinian deliciousness (and I am not just talking about food and beverages), a regenerating sleep and a relaxing day. We were off to Olbia in the afternoon, where our friend and host Roberto was waiting for us. After picking him up, we were going to meet the old crazy friends from Nuoro.
A night in Nuoro among a thousand of memories, emotions and many friends. I asked myself a lot of times how many people have ever seen Nuoro, a city so alive in its loneliness.
Once recovered from the fatigues, the time to say goodbye came inescapable, but we made our promise to meet again as soon as possible, all together. I stayed in Olbia two more days, another dinner with the deliciousness offered by that place, then I caught a train to Sassari where I dined with some friends again, a little nap on the couch at their place, interrupted by the alarm at 3.50 a.m., in the middle of the night. I tried not to forget anything, then I stopped and thought: ‘Who cares? I am bringing back memories and emotions, that’s enough.’
I closed the door after me and then I roamed in Sassari looking for the bus stop, where I was supposed to catch the bus to Alghero. Check in closed at 6:00, everything was fine. I slept during the flight, while thinking of the baggage I left there, in Sardinia..a big part of my heart.
It was a special, unique journey, made perfect by amazing people and products that only this land can offer. Not the usual journey, but an unforgettable dive into the past.