Don't get me wrong - the Napa lifestyle is enjoyable. Yet, sometimes I wonder if it's simply too much. The food, the wine, the social activities - they're just constant. When does too much of a good thing become bad?
Fortunately for me, I've managed to extricate myself from the bubble of wine country many times already in my few weekends on the west coast. Yes, I've traveled to the far reaches of San Francisco, an entire hour away (an hour and a half in traffic! Which there always is!) to get a taste of city life.
Coming from New York, I have to say that San Francisco isn't quite the same. It's not nearly as busy, crowded, intense. Really, it doesn't fit my definition of "city." Still, it's more of an urban environment than that which I'm currently inhabiting, one where I regularly get caught behind a tractor on highway 29.
I spent my Friday evening in "the city" with my friend Sheridan, who was in town from New York for work, and two of her friends from her former life in San Francisco (she used to live here), Mina and Rose. We went for pizza and went through two bottles of wine between four of us, and when I woke up the next morning, I was seriously regretting that decision.
I couldn't sleep and so went for a walk through the city, ending up at the farmer's market at the ferry building. Seeing all that fresh produce - the fruit, vegetables, cheeses, artisan breads - I realized that I have been so busy making "the most" of my time here that I've been neglecting one of the motives that brought me out west in the first place: taking care of myself.
Ah, yes, the search for a calmer, more balanced lifestyle. One where I'd be cooking with local, fresh ingredients and be constantly active. Where at the end of the day I'd make a healthy meal, read a book and go for a run. Instead, I've been galavanting around Napa County like a college freshman, soaking up every opportunity to the point of excess.
That's about to stop. Well, not stop entirely, but be put in check. From now on, I will do both. I will enjoy all that this valley has to offer, but I will take time for myself, as well.
And that's exactly what I did this weekend. On Saturday, Sheridan, Mina and Rose followed me up to Napa for the day. We shared a bottle of a cherry-candy 2009 Robert Sinskey Vin Gris over a leisurely lunch at Bottega in Yountville, followed by wine tasting at Round Pond on the terrace and then cheese and fresh bread from Bouchon while lounging by my pool. It was pure gluttony and I loved every minute of it - until I passed out at 8:30 p.m. on a Saturday night.
See, that's the thing - to me, that was excess. I don't know how people do it here. When I got back from San Francisco on Saturday afternoon, Dan and Gary were already drinking a bottle of white with their lunch. Then they had a few beers, took a nap, started drinking again and went out to dinner with a magnum of champagne in hand. I woke up when they returned at 2:00 a.m., at which point they continued to drink. And wake up and drink again today.
Now, I'm not one to judge, but I'd venture to guess that at some point they stopped tasting that wine and it became less about appreciating the product and more about some social taboo. To each his own, I say, but I know that for me a glass or two of wine and a three-course meal and I've already over-satiated myself.
Which is why today I needed "me" time. I went to yoga and then I did something I've never really taken the time to do before: I had a massage.
You never really realize what you're missing until you get a taste of it. Apparently, I've been missing the ability to relax my muscles for the last 24 (almost 25!) years of my life. Type A personality, go figure.
My massage therapist, Ra, who I've met through friends here, said, "when a student is ready to learn, a teacher appears." I think I'm ready to learn how to relax.
Without sacrificing the regular glass or two of wine, of course.
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