Harvest

"Sagra degli agrumi"
At Christmas time, Sardinia is awash in the earthy aromas of nature and the scent of orange blossoms. As if out of a painting, the landscape radiates the intense green of orange-tree branches, which, by December, are laden with white, star-shaped blossoms.

Even in winter, Sardinia is a sea of color--the red fruit of the arbatus, the dark blue berries of the myrtle, and the white buds of the erica bushes. These are colors that will come to belong to the spring festivals held in the villages-- times when men, women, and children dress in orange-colored costumes and carry branches and fragrent blossoms. These folk festivals resonate with the sounds of the Mediterranean-- the launeddas is played; decorated ox-drawn carriages are led through the applauding crowds; and orange-filled baskets, artfully formed pastries and breads right out of wood burning ovens, and red and white wine are sold in abundance.

All of these things belong to the traditions and history of Sardinia today. This is an island one must see. And love.