One afternoon (after lunch) during our slow travel in Sorrento, we took a stroll along a backstreet to “see what we could see.” You may call it a mindful walk. The purpose was to (live in the moment) wander around, and enjoy the exotic atmosphere.
We came across a rather unusual artisan shop, away from the busy shops selling all things to tourists. The shop was established in 1953, the year I was born. The artisans have acquired their skills over a long period.
I was initially drawn to the watches in the display window. I had a Seiko on my left wrist, and I have used “ordinary” mass-market watches all my life. After all these years, I could still feel the pride of wearing my first budget Seiko to school. Yes, finally my parents could afford to buy me a watch.
I thought the device for measuring the amount of spaghetti for the number of people was rather intriguing. Some mathematics or cultural knowledge (the amount of spaghetti eaten per meal) must have gone into the design. Further inspection of the window display showed bows, pens, sunglasses, and other items ingeniously made from wood.
I did not go into the shop to check the prices, as I had no intention of buying anything. Enjoying aesthetically pleasing crafts is enough for me, for I have gone beyond the perceived need to possess them. At this stage of my life, the challenge is to declutter and to buy on an as-required or replacement basis. Bad news for these craftsmen! But then, user-friendly and tastefully designed goods will always have supporters. The artisans must have enough customers to keep them going for almost 70 years – a testament to their skills.
I walked away from the shop – inspired.
Vince
Dr Vincent Chong is a retired Professor of Radiology at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
