What I am about to share is something that only those born in the 70’s or earlier will truly resonate with; when reading my story, their hearts will beat like a playlist featuring Phil Collins, Dire Straits, Van Halen, and Foreigner’s greatest hits from the 80’s. My words will echo in the quiet corners of their memories. However, my aim is to make this story meaningful to all. Honestly, it will be a challenge in an era where attention spans are shorter than a goldfish’s memory on espresso. It may take effort for some of you to actually read this story till the end, but I promise you, it will get you thinking. Those who truly cherish this story are the ones who lived through the magic of that era, when every moment felt like a memory in the making.
I was born in 1963, and the 1980’s hold a cherished spot in my heart, a decade I genuinely loved!
My home is now the United States, so not that long ago, I called Diana in Germany to say hello. Diana, was my close friend from that unforgettable period. The experiences of our time together in that era has left a profound mark on both of us.
In 1989, Diana and I were in our mid-twenties. She was a stunning sight, reminiscent of the glamorous Hollywood actresses from the 50’s and 60’s. Those actresses radiated an ageless elegance, with their expressive eyes, and a grace that felt almost heavenly. Diana embodied that description perfectly.
For our traveling escapades, cruising through the picturesque hills of southern Germany, we’d link up likewise on cold days in the autumn and on sun-drenched weekends in the summer months to drive in my Ferrari 328 GTS down those winding, postcard-worthy backroads. Top down, wind whipping through our hair, Diana’s long scarf dancing in the breeze, and our Ray-Bans catching the light, we soaked up those late summer days that felt like they’d stretch on forever. Time was slowing down, we’re taking mental pictures, each mile a vibrant frame from a dream sequence.
A Sunlit Escape to Wiesenbach’s Charm
One early afternoon we’ve decided to take a drive on the backroads, from Kornwestheim, near Stuttgart, where I was living, to Wiesenbach for dinner at one of my favorite Italian restaurants from that era, Pizzeria Palermo. Nestled at the gentle foot of the Odenwald, where the Kraichgau hills whisper tales of old, Wiesenbach slumbered in timeless charm, its half-timbered Haus zum Löwen standing proud since 1427. The air carried the faint echo of Wolfgang Maria Ohlhäuser’s brushstrokes, painting memories across the village’s winding streets and the serene flow of its ancient streams. Under the shadow of Langenzell’s twin castles, where I received my Wing Tsun martial arts education in the 80’s, from the late Grandmaster Keith Kernspecht, the community wove a quiet tapestry of life, where every cobblestone seemed to hum with stories of yesteryears.
As we roared into Wiesenbach in my custom Ferrari 328 GTS, the race exhaust’s primal growl reverberated off the ancient half-timbered houses, their weathered beams trembling with the echo of a bygone era’s untamed spirit. With the roof down, the warm Odenwald breeze tangled Diana’s scarf and glinted off our Ray-Ban sunglasses, casting us as silver-screen rebels from a ‘60s Hollywood flick. The village’s cobblestone streets unrolling like a celluloid dream and the air hummed with the scent of blooming linden trees and the distant chime of a church bell, blending with the Ferrari’s snarl, as curious faces scrutinized our almost James Bond-like cinematic arrival.
As we cruised into Wiesenbach’s heart, the Ferrari’s throaty roar softened to an idle rumble outside the Italian Restaurant Palermo. Ever the gentleman, I swung around the car, opened the door for Diana, and extending my hand to help her out of the automobile. Smiling we stepped into the empty dining room, the scent of basil and warm bread enveloping us like a nostalgic embrace, only to find ourselves the sole patrons in a scene straight out of a Hollywood classic. Our orders barely placed, pizza and a glass of Italian Chianti, a trickle of newcomers arrived, only for the waiter to call out, “Sorry, we’re closed!” prompting a shared, startled glance between Diana and me. The open door and regular hours weaving a peculiar mystery, until the waiter’s smile broke the spell with, “Not for Ferrari owners, we’re always open for you!” The owners of the Restaurant were native Italians, and they are proud of their cars!
I’ll always cherish that electrifying vibe, where the Italians’ intense passion for their supercars, especially Ferraris, had them serving us up with gourmet pizzas and Chianti, to my surprise, all on the house!
The 1980s played out like a vibrant, high-def montage
and now, living in the US for decades, as I chat once in a while with Diana, with a nostalgic feeling, reminiscing on how insanely epic those days were. When life flowed with a chill vibe, challenges met with a laid-back swagger, and the world felt like it was rooting for us.
I never forget to tell her, with a knowing nod to our past, how lucky we were to live in that era’s open-hearted rhythm, and what a privilege it was.
You might ponder, curious where the thread connects to ‘The Sanctuary’ Documentary in this timeless tale?
I believe that craving to craft a sustainable, self-reliant lifestyle, can immensely benefit from reigniting the electric sense of community, belonging, and unfiltered joy we knew back in those golden days.
We’re chasing the return of how we once vibed with each other, all heart and harmony. By nurturing that calming balance around us, we unlock a profound peace within, and everything around us. It just flows into place like a seamless cut in a classic reel. That is a life worth living.
No smart phones required.
