In 2018 I went on a yoga and lifestyle retreat to the Apulia region of Italy. Although I had traveled to Italy many times, I had not been to the boot part of the country. Before the retreat began, I spent a few days enjoying the delightful town of Polignano a Mare perched over the Adriatic Sea. I had left the bleak autumn days of New York City behind to enjoy the fresh sea air, glorious sunshine and yummy seafood and get my internal clock set to Italy time before jaunting over to our retreat location just outside of Martina Franca.
Polignano a Mare, Apulia, Italy
Our retreat was held at the beautiful and ancient restored monastery and farmhouse called La Rosa Dei 4 Venti ( http://www.larosadei4venti.org/) outside Martina Franca. Shortly after the retreat began, the weather began to change. Winds swept up. The rain came and because we were at a retreat and not really paying attention to the news - it was a surprise when we learned a hurricane was headed straight for us and this rain and wind was just the start of a several day event. Undeterred, we hunkered down, enjoyed yoga twice a day, incredible meals served in the cozy stone home that made up the central part of the property, and plenty of free time to read and relax. I was dying to get out to photograph the area but after several attempts in the rain, gave up and impatiently waited for the storm to pass. Once it did, the beautiful and serene area was enveloped in a thick and atmospheric fog. I grabbed my camera and ventured out and other than the sound of the distant tinkle of the bells the donkeys wore around their necks, I was alone in this post-hurricane world. In this little video I captured the foggy, lonely landscapes and the quiet essence of the area. For me, this little interlude rounded out a wonderful experience at this very unique and charming place.
