October 4, 2010

While holidaying in Bali a few years ago I got to read the book Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.  I know the book has had mixed reviews but I really enjoyed it and was excited to see if had been made into a movie.

I am sure everyone has times in their life where they need to escape to re-evaluate.  I had this time in my life back in 1997 when after a not so nice divorce I decided it was time to escape – time for my Eat Pray Love moment – I did just that by escaping to Italy.  I spent two weeks in Florence participating in an Italian Language course and living in one of those little family apartments just like Elizabeth did. After this I spent an incredible week in Umbria at an amazing cooking school learning and further immersing myself in Italian culture. I then headed to Positano for a wonderful week by the water before heading to New York to shop like a crazy woman.  Not quite the indulgent year that Elizabeth took but still enough for me to reassess and come home with a new outlook.
 I was fortunate to receive free tickets to see the movie two weeks ago and while I did not find the movie as enjoyable as the book I did enjoy the reminder of so many things that the movie explores.  Seeing that lovely big door at the entrance to Elizabeth’s apartment in Rome reminds me of my time staying in that little apartment in Florence.  The food – oh the food. The carefree lifestyle of not having to be anywhere in particular at any one time.  The beautiful Italian language which I am now surrounded by having married into an Italian family. Being able to rediscover what it is that is important in your life.  Bali, wonderful Bali.  The one place in the world I can truly switch off and escape – I do love it so.
As I am not a great book reader I wonder if I did not enjoy the movie as I would have because there was a lot more to the book that they did not cover.  I am sure this happens in most movies that start with a book – Have you seen the movie yet?  I would love to know what you thought or if you have had your Eat Pray Love moment in life.

Leanne

12 thoughts on “Eat Pray Love

  1. Hey
    Lovely post, I am about to do a similar one. I had that moment in 1997 also, just as my marriage was falling apart. I was finishing the book on the plane to Bali and ended up seeing both Wayan the healer and Ketut the wise man. Both were wonderful experiences. I happened to be back in Bali (my total peace spot) last year whilst they were filming. I am hoping to see the film on Friday night, very excited.
    Janina BYW

  2. I also loved the book, and don’t know anyone who didn’t! I was the last of my close girlfriends to even hear about the book, and they all said I just HAD to read it and so I borrowed a copy from one of them. I really really enjoyed it. I’m going to see the film this weekend. My best friend just got back from a 6 weeks holiday in Europe and she saw it while she was there, she says the same as you, it’s not as enjoyable as the book, but it’s still nice.

  3. I am waiting for the movie to come out to our local cheap theatre, then my best friend and I are going to go see it on a girls night out.
    For me the book seemed so surreal, the kind of adventure we all dream about but see as unattainable. It’s pretty amazing to know it’s a real story. I felt a little let down in the end not knowing how the story ended, but that’s life. We never really know the ending to the story.

  4. I had a love/hate relationship with this book but have been looking forward to the movie, only to indulge in an amazing travel adventure, your trip to Italy sounds just like what was needed at the time! x

  5. wow…that was a brave, liberating month or so away!

    what wonderful memories you have created for yourself out of a situation of such difficulty…

    gosh i have soo much admiration for you leanne…

    i am going to see the movie once i have finished the book….i am a huge reader but still a later comer to this book…i think i was too busy moving to the other side of the world to take it on…

    having been to gorgeous italy…& beautiful bali…i am soo hoping to head to india one day…

    you are quite amazing!

    melissa xox

  6. wow…that was a brave, liberating month or so away!

    what wonderful memories you have created for yourself out of a situation of such difficulty…

    gosh i have soo much admiration for you leanne…

    i am going to see the movie once i have finished the book….i am a huge reader but still a later comer to this book…i think i was too busy moving to the other side of the world to take it on…

    having been to gorgeous italy…& beautiful bali…i am soo hoping to head to india one day…

    you are quite amazing!

    melissa xox

  7. wow…that was a brave, liberating month or so away!

    what wonderful memories you have created for yourself out of a situation of such difficulty…

    gosh i have soo much admiration for you leanne…

    i am going to see the movie once i have finished the book….i am a huge reader but still a later comer to this book…i think i was too busy moving to the other side of the world to take it on…

    having been to gorgeous italy…& beautiful bali…i am soo hoping to head to india one day…

    you are quite amazing!

    melissa xox

  8. I just watched the movie, googled it and found my way here.

    I love both the book and the movie. Being fair for the movie, it is a well-plotted movie to summarize the book. Most importantly, most of us find ourselves to either have experience it or are experience it at the moment. And how we are able to relate the story to ourselves is the best part of the movie.

    I admire what you have done in 1997. Am surprise so many people in different part of the world have shared the same experiences like meeting Wayan and Ketut in Bali and finding comfort in Italy.

    You own my admiration, strong women out there..

  9. i loved this book – my sister dragged her way through it so yes mixed reviews!! im a little scared to see the movie as very rarely that the movies do the book justice!
    i also blogged about my own ‘eat pray love’ journey – think we all had them! your time in Italy sounds fantastic although im sure it was combined with lots of emotions for you..(hugs)

  10. i just watched the movie today and i have to say despite the mixed reviews, i REALLY enjoyed it. i think most women can relate to it in one way or another- i love the inspiration. i loved the focus on appreciating the simple things in life. Xx

  11. I haven’t read the book, (but have just ordered it off ebay) but I saw the movie on it’s opening night here where I live. I loved the movie….I really related to the need to just get away from it all. Good on you for your journey in 1997! Sounded divine!

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