When the sun was still high

Summer time and the wind is blowing, outside in lower chelsea.
And I dont know what Im doing in this city,
The sun is always in my eyes.

(by Third Eye Blind - Motorcycle Drive By)

It was summer, and there I was in Montespertoli of the Il Chianti region, halfway between Pisa and Firenze.

The weather was perfect, it was the end of summer, a bit chilly at night, but the sky was always clear, not a spatter of rain.

The day started at the tip of Ponte alle Grazie, opposite the Arno River waiting for the unknown guide to pick us up. There I met some strangers and after an awkward start of exchanging basic pleasantries, the guide arrived in a beat-up van. Hoping to meet some Italians, the guide turned out to be a Scot, who was about to be kicked out from his apartment for not paying rent.







And after an hour's drive, we arrived in a quaint castle in Montespertoli called Castello Guicciardini Poppiano, whose owners, the Conte and Contessa were on holiday, jetsetting all over the world. They own both the castle and the hectares of vineyards and olive groves around this property, which in turn also produce award winning olive oils, wine and fine grappa.





Wine tasting creates instant friendships. What was awkward at the beginning slowly disappeared as everyone let their guard down. Wine is miraculous, and should be the cure for all ailments of the world! And also bread with lavish sprinklings of good olive oil and a pinch of salt, Tuscan style.

Sidetracking... Warm wine as proven by our little autumn soiree here in Japan, is a potent magic potion for all ailments. Cold winter winds from Hokkaido, be gone!

After visiting the cellar, we proceeded to the rooftop. The view? Fabulous.



At that very moment, I without realizing, said my thoughts out loud, "I want to be buried here after I die". Laughter followed, but I know that I have meant exactly what I said.





It was almost noon, and it was time to cycle to the place serving lunch. We started our journey through this little road flanked by tall cedar (?) trees on both sides, dwarfing all of us. I felt myself being humbled by these big trees and this vast rolling landscape. I felt like a kid in a candy shop, very in awe but I know that I do not need candies to keep me happy. Nature in all its glory makes me happy. It gave me a serene and calm feeling, but I knew that part of me wanted to leap out and dance.



I remember when I was a young 16 year-old, I used to be obsessed with Third Eye Blind's self-titled debut album especially this song "Motorcycle Drive By". Great lyrics, awesome guitar riff, so much life. Its one of the most under-rated songs of all times which never enjoyed the success that it so deserved, but I loved it (and still do) nevertheless. Its the sound of freedom though I do not know how to describe it as such. It's a feeling that this song was able to evoke. Was it the guitar riffs' slow start, building up as the song progresses and then a sudden revert to a calm end? I liken it to containing a storm in a teacup. Like a burning man, and a quick dip to the water to end the pain. Or.. rather an hour long session of onsen, and a quick dash to the cold shower to cool down. And everything will be all right.



And there I was, as described in that beautiful song, careening through the universe, my axis on a tilt. Everything was so beautiful that my heart ached.

As I pass Chianti vineyards, olive groves and sunflower fields which appeared a bit tired of life, the sun in my eyes, I could see nothing, only what's ahead, I could hear nothing, except Stephen Jenkins' voice and the wind roaring in my ears, and I felt invincible. And wished that you were with me.

And theres this burning, like theres always been,
I've never been so alone, and I, I've never been so alive











The day ended at my favourite place in Firenze, Basilico Santa Maria del Fiore, which I will never tire of.



I've never been so alive. And I wish I could take a piece of you with me.