Memories of Nice  ..... Let the Healing Begin

   I've been to Nice only once, with the family one summer years ago. As one of

Resting on a rock in Nice, above the city

my favorite places, I began wondering what is it about a place or places that attract us to it? Is it the energy of the land, is it because you were born in a particular place and raised there?
   It is hard to pinpoint exactly what makes each country or nation different, other than the obvious physical things like climate, topography, the people, the customs, the food. Surely that is part of it. But then why do other places make us feel uncomfortable?
   I am also writing this because recently there was a very terrible incident there that took the lives of many innocent men, women and children. So perhaps in remembering the good memories I had there, plus this mystery of why some lands are more attractive than others may help to restore some peace and healing to a place that has been wounded.
   I remember coming on the plane, after having some minor injuries, so I was in some pain and uncomfortable on the flight over. I rarely sleep on transatlantic flights, so I was happy to see the dawn as we drew nearer. Just looking at the crystal blue waters, I felt as though I had been transported to another world. After landing the glare of the sun was so bright it took awhile to adjust. There it is again, that supreme quality of light in the South of France. It is so bright and crystal clear and pure, like it is transparent, yet at the same time has a kind of golden glow to it. You could not capture it, and most likely none of the artists who have tried to work with the light have never really captured its true essence.

Family time at the villa reading

   Riding through the town, it was a hub of activity, of people moving around, walking, going to cafes and shops, and then the promenade along the waterfront. And still more people, as it was the height of summertime. It was almost too much to take in all at once, for the senses were filled and overflowing.
   We made our way up into the hills, way above the city, to a villa of a family friend where we were staying for awhile. Even the streets had their own kind of charm, winding and turning ever upward into the hills, with the scenery becoming more rugged and rural, tall grasses and trees and dusty dirt clinging to the ground, swirling sometimes as we drove by.

My nephew by the fig tree in the yard

   It was very comfortable at the villa, which was white, and the sunlight sometimes seemed to make it glow. From there you could see the city below, the sky and the sea, but it was hard to tell if the Azure Coast was named for the color of the sky or the sea or both. Every day there were different colors and hues of deepest blue, with touches of pink in the magnificent sunsets.
   We didn't venture very far, but sat outside in the glorious sunlight reading or resting, and having outdoor cook outs in the evenings with the fresh food from the market place. 
   Although I had some discomfort and was very stiff, and I had forgotten to pack my herbs, it seemed the place itself was one of healing between the air, the light, the colors, who knows what it was? A place that was timeless but also a sense of being ancient.

Me at Cimiez

   So who knows what makes us each find different places that we are attracted to. I know for example I usually have trouble in Germany, it is a very strong and vibrant place, but perhaps too intense for me. Even New York can sometimes be harsh, with its granite base. Some mountains can be hard and sharp and rocky, while the Catskills of New York are very soft and round in nature it seems.

Mom at Cimiez

   So this bears more investigation, as connecting to one's homeland is indeed a part of natural living, because you are connecting to the land and the whole earth. All too often we forget about nature and living a natural life, so tied up in our work and our technological toys of phones, ipads, and drones. So it causes more questions, as to what places may make you feel well, while others not so well.

   We cannot turn back time, but we can preserve what we have and what we love as best we can. 

Wishing you well,
Maery

Tranquility