Unpacking Italy & Sicily - Part Four
What Captured Me in Italy (Hint: It Wasn’t the Ruins)
Hello friends,
As I write and reflect, what I’m uncovering is what truly mattered most to me. I expected to be moved by the ruins… but I found myself drawn elsewhere.
Of course, I visited the temples, cathedrals, and ancient sites—their beauty and scale were unforgettable. Here are a few moments from that part of the journey. Some I may return to in future reflections—but for now, I’m noticing something quieter pulling at me.
What I’ve come to realize is that it wasn’t the grand sites that stirred something deep in me—it was the little things. The sensory, soulful beauty of everyday life. What captured me was the now of Italy: the curve of a cobbled street in a seaside village, the way late afternoon light settled over a hilltop vineyard, the quiet joy of choosing something beautiful in a tiny, lovingly tended shop, or the silent stories whispered by abandoned homes. It was in these simple, present-moment experiences that I felt most connected—still enough to feel the soul of a place.
The soul-nourishing moments.
For now, my series will shift to those moments. The ones that filled me—not with facts or dates, but with feeling. With presence. With beauty. They’re what I carried home in my heart. They’re what are tugging at my soul to share. They’re what I’ll return to here, in no particular order.
Cats in Italy – Beloved & Protected
Stray cats seemed to appear everywhere. At first, we didn’t think much of it—just a passing detail, a quiet presence on the edges of stone steps or slipping between iron fences. Many were thin, and it was a little heartbreaking. I remember one gnawing on what looked like a chicken bone, and my instinct was to take it away, knowing it wasn’t good for it. But then what?
It made me wonder: why so many? Why in every city, every village?
Were they simply part of the rhythm of life here—survivors, wanderers, unnoticed companions to the streets? Or did they mirror something else?
Like so much on this trip, the strays weren’t part of the official story, but they became part of mine.
I grew curious and did a little research. In Italy, cats are beloved and legally protected. Feral cat colonies can’t be relocated, must be fed, and are often cared for by locals. Cats are free to roam—even in historic landmarks—and harming one is a crime.
Historically, they were sacred to the Goddess Diana and served as both companions and pest control in ancient Rome. While few cat remains were found in Pompeii, some believe the cats sensed danger and escaped before the eruption. Still, they appear in frescoes in the city’s ancient villas—a quiet tribute to their place in Roman life.
This sweet friend didn’t look like a stray—but was far too charming not to photograph and share.
Tomorrow, I’ll share a few more soul-nourishing moments.
What stayed with you?
I’d love to know—what unexpected detail or quiet presence has left a lasting imprint on your heart while traveling?
The Kitchen Table gathering returns Friday, June 20. Stay tuned for details. I’m leaning towards a theme that will have us conversing over travel experiences and bringing a magical memory alive through our creativity!
The smell of the desert after a rain passes through; sweet. The cool shade that big rocks and cliffs have in a blistering hot desert is sweet relief! My ability to find water in the desert and the joy it brings after a hot hike.