Ode to Italy

I think this is one of my all-time favorite photographs I've taken in Italy.

It is SO representative of this place I've grown to love. How FABULOUS is the granny in the sequins and sunnies? I love her.

After a year and 2 months in Italy here's what I know.

 

1. I now drive with the best (worst??) of them. Yielding? What's that??? TAKE THE ROTARY!

 

2. I find myself feeling chilly when it's under 70 degrees. I have,however,fought the urge to put on a puffer jacket.

 

3. I talk with my hands a lot more.

 

4. I end conversations with "si si si si si si si si!"

 

5. I savor the taste of a spritz aperol.

 

6. I don't find it at all strange that strangers try to hold Cate and Lucy routinely.

 

7. I use the word "allora" on the reg.

 

8. I will never be able to eat tomatoes, pasta, gelato, produce, or cheese when I move home. Or drink wine or coffee. I am ruined for life and destined to be a horrible snob.

 

9. I wear gloves when I handle produce.

 

10. I eat as soon as my food comes to the table. No waiting for everyone else.

 

11. I am used to no central air. I feel like it is going to be COLD all the time when we go back to the US.

 

12. I can fit my van through ridiculously narrow spaces.

 

13. I don't expect anything to happen the first time I try. I expect to get lost. If I don't it's a pleasant surprise.

 

14. I eat dinner a lot later and drink coffee a lot more.

 

15. I am used to the feel of marble under my feet. Carpet...what's that?

 

16. I still hate the taste of licorice, even though Italians adore it.

 

17. I have grown accustomed to the sound of church bells ringing.

 

18. I have forgotten what the American media is like. No news on the TV here, no 24/7 mentality. No talking heads, no sensationalism. I do not miss it at all and dread having to return to it.

 

19. I consume meat and produce that was on a farm hours before.

 

20. I have discovered la bella vita.

 

Even when it's infuriating and nonsensical, I love it here. I don't ever want to leave. I love the sounds, the smells, the views. I love the people and the mentality. I don't ever want to leave.

Buona giornata,amici miei.

xoxo

 

Comments

[Stacey]

Sounds like a wonderful place! I love how friendly people in Italy seem. I would love to live somewhere where under 70 was considered cool.

[Karen Lee]

Sounds like heaven!

[Tom Fitzhugh]

So glad that you're enjoying it all. So many people race through life and even when offered snippets of such loveliness as Italy offers, are too busy to enjoy it.

[Jennifer Henson]

Awesome! Visited for just two weeks in 2011 and still miss it. LOVED it!

[Account Deleted]

Welcome home, Stephanie Howell. Welcome home!

[Kerry]

Ahhhhh! I love this. I feel much the same about life in Austria/Germany. But wouldn't say no to Italy. I think I found my heaven a few weeks ago when we took a weekend trip to the Dolomiti - still in the alps, but IN Italy. I loved that I could get by with German, but still hear Italian.
love, fellow coffee and wine and food snob, Kerry :)

[Mary Beth]

I was only in Italy for a (too short) two week visit. I would love to experience all these ups and downs, given the time and $$ - LOL

Those all sound like good reasons to never go home. Just stay.

[Ki Kruk]

Ohhhh #18....I'd welcome that! To be blissfully unaware would be magical!! Some days I just want to scream!! I wish I lived there with you!

[Janell Knudson]

You'll need to come back to Oregon - everything here is local and fresh!

Such a fun adventure for your family!!

[Ali]

When we were there for a few weeks a couple years back we totally started saying allora all the time too. Love that you get to have this adventure as part of your life experience.

[clippergirl]

Sounds like Heaven to me! And it sounds like you're enjoying and savouring each and every moment of this fabulous journey. Xoxo

[Candy]

Ah, those church bells! That gives everything more atmosphere! Love the pic that had to include a nun...of course! And with words you have captured Italy in your talented way. But of course, there is another side to Italy.... and that would make you run back to the U.S.if you encountered it. Hold on to your wonderful moments.

[jung a]

Gah!!! Love it! I feel like I can almost taste, see, hear & feel italy (even though I've never been) through your descriptive posts. I love how you take pictures of "real italy," and not just the touristy stuff!
I just love your blog! I just started one myself (only have 2 posts so far), and I look to yours for inspiration!
Enjoy your day!

[AmySorensen]

I didn't understand the draw to Italy until my mom took me there. Now I get it and desperately want to go back. The tour guide we had in Rome would chirp out "andiamo" when people were getting too far apart and I say that all the time now. I'm so glad you're enjoying your time there!

[Brenda]

We were only in Italy for 5 days this summer and totally fell in love!! The pace of life, people and food all make me miss it, so glad you're enjoying and embracing your time there.

[Giuli]

Buongiorno Stephanie!
Allora, everything is so funny except for the licorice.
I'm Italian 100% and I hate his taste.
Che gusto terribile!!
Un abbraccio, cara!

[nicole @ I am Honey Bee]

I feel this way about Greece and I was only there for 10 days. I can't imagine being in Italy

[Rachel]

I love this post, Stephanie! I've only visited Italy (Genoa and Florence!), but I can only imagine the fun and adventure in living there. I'm with you though. I don't know if I could ever adjust to the taste of licorice!

[tara pakosta]

I think the biggest thing I noticed with you is that you have truly learned to slow down and savor everything! I mean you always did, but now it's truly noticeable! I like the pace, the fresh food, the attitude. You make me want to pack my bags and move there NOW! I bet Cate and Lucy are so well rounded with everyone talking to them and wanting to hold them! so so cute! love love love living Italy through your blog and IG with your family! keep shining steph!
tara

[CJ]

What a beautiful post Stephanie, a love letter to Italy I think. Right from the start you have made it sound like such an amazing place, I want to visit even more now. I'm so glad you're happy there and enjoying it so much. Have a great weekend. CJ xx

[Jenni Hufford]

what an awesome adventure you are having! there is so much i LOVE about USA but some of the stuff you mentioned.... i would like a break from that too. I think it's "healthy" to take a break from the "advantages" (or so we think they are) we have here just to see life differently and experience a different way of life. i am sure you are learning a lot and appreciating things about italy SO much (and prob certain things about USA a lot). i love being able to see your point of view from blogging! xo!

[Patricia Dunbar]

I was in Italy (just for 2 days) in March and Loved it but my favorite items listed above are NO NEWS...that would be heavenly and the fresh food for sure....I was wondering if you had a chance to stay in Italy if you would take it or not....I think this is my answer.

[Keely]

Steph, great list but please explain the produce gloves. What kind of gloves? Do you wear them to the market and/or at home? Thanks!!

[Tracy L]

#7 Made me chuckle! We were in Italy in the spring and I loved the sound and use of that word there! Allora .. Stephanie!

[Helen]

Italy is idyllic. Beautiful photo!

[Giada]

Stephanie, as an Italian person, I wanted to thank you for documenting your experience in Italy :)
Thank you for going beyond the usual stereotypes and, again, thank you for appreciating our country so genuinely, even with the not-so-positive features!

Here's to a lot more aperitivi with spritz and pasta and pizza and tomatoes and gelato :D

[may]

true story.. this is a "no news station" household. When we made that switch (among other things) we were much happier. If something is truly big and needs to be known - I'll get the info in time. Oh, but OH Italy... you'd drive me crazy as I'm way too logistics and want things on my schedule... but you would be heaven... (now trying to figure out how I can fly over and hang out...)

[may]

ooh... yes. move to the north west. here in N.Ca we have great wine, farms, local lots of stuff... all the way up the coast too.

[Hannah]

I am so happy that you are loving it there! I remember when you were first talking about living in Italy and I admired your excitement and postive attitude. I so glad that you are living your dream, that you are finding your way through the challenges and loving it!

Thank you for sharing. Your happiness brings a much-needed smile to my face.

[Jenn Amano]

Although I am proud to be an American, I think I would also love to live in Italy! It's wonderful to experience some of the beauty and frustrations through your posts!

[Stephanie Howell]

Plastic gloves. Italians dont touch produce at all and doing so will earn you some majorly dirty looks! They have disposable plastic gloves right by the rolls of plastic bags! :)