Welcome to Aphrodisia! I am Giovanni, and this is my garden and villa. You saw the inscription on the gate on the way in? It was on the gate of Epicurus’ garden and matched so well I just had to duplicate it. Now, Epicurus had some interesting things to say, but in this garden our approach to life is quite different. I am not an epicurean, but a sybarite. He taught metaphysics and philosophy, and served water and barley-meal. Here, we discuss poetry and cookery, sex and sensation, and enjoy the most lush and delicious food and drink. And the overlap of all these topics is to be found in its name: Aphrodisia.
Clearly, it is not for everyone. If it is not for you, go in peace, and may you find happiness in your path! If, on the other hand, you would explore the flavors and entertainments that wait in the fragrant shadows of my villa, I bid you welcome.
Courtesy of Jalaluddin Rumi, the Garden’s signature poem:
This is a gathering of Lovers.
In this gathering there is no high, no low,
no smart, no ignorant,
no special assembly, no grand discourse,
no proper schooling required.
There is no master, no disciple.
This gathering is more like a drunken party,
full of tricksters, fools,
mad men and mad women.
This is a gathering of Lovers.
Information about the images can be found in the colophon. Contact me at giovanni [at] sybaritesgarden [dot] com
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