The Garrigues in the Dolomites (July 2013)

I was asked to “write a report on the GARRIGUES’ trip this summer of 2013” to the Dolomites. Okay. So here I go: “After leaving at 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, and spending the night on the bus, the Italian sun welcomed the travelers for a stop in Mantua (IT). Then the climb into the mountains began, ending around 6:30 p.m. in BELLAMONTE (Province of Trento), near PREDAZZO, where the group split up between two lovely hotels, the Margherita and the Antico, which will be their home for the duration of the stay.” Sigh

It’s so impersonal!…

How can I put into words what we experienced during those five days in Italy? How can I convey the emotion?

I just want to list them, simply, in no particular order:

Guided tours led by wonderful people who went out of their way to tell us the history of their region and their city in a funny, vivid, yet comprehensive way—and in French, no less! Walks through magnificent landscapes, where nature reigns supreme, where the mountains fill you with wonder, where blue and green blend in a strange yet beautiful way... Steep trails, wooden bridges, stags and does, a suspension bridge, and always that ever-present sun. Yet the temperature remains bearable. It’s true that these wonders dominate our world... We’re hiking at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters... some choir members who are passionate about botany set out in search of the Negritella, the flower that gave its name to the group of our very welcoming hosts... A variety of modes of transportation: on foot, by bus, and even by gondola followed by a chairlift to get a closer look at this imposing mountain... Culture: history, geography, and above all, geology! Choir members and chaperones also expanded their general knowledge... And then encounters filled with singing, conversations in a mix of Italian and French, and even some attempts at English... Exchanges, smiles, laughter, beer, and lots of pasta!!... And even a solemn moment at City Hall, with a very charming mayor! It’s these images, these colorful and positive emotions, that linger. Punctuated, of course, by memories of the two concerts we gave: one, a full concert, in BELLAMONTE, and the other as part of the Mountain Songs Festival in PREDAZZO, sandwiched between two Italian men’s choirs, the Coro Negritella and the Coro Croz Corona.

This second concert left a strong impression on us—thanks to the venue (a huge auditorium!), the warm welcome, the meeting of these two choirs, the exchange of gifts, and then the meal we shared afterward, punctuated by songs that must still be echoing as I write this.... You just have to listen closely: “and tick-tock and touc....”

We promise—our Italian friends will come to France in September 2014.

For now, all we have to do is listen again and again to the songs of the mountain folk....and enjoy the pasta and cheeses we brought back in abundance on Monday, July 15—the day of our return, which, by the way, was spent in high spirits, with the exchange of small gifts and various thoughtful gestures, as well as a masterfully presented introduction to geological culture........

Pure joy!

Odile