Yes I’m living in Italy, how is it going??

So many questions from people that it seems a good time to answer a bunch of those questions ! And share some additional revelations!

Why did I choose Italy? I think Italy offers so much in a rich and vibrant history. Over 2500 years of extraordinary history, art and so much more. I just fell in love with it…the first time, the second time and it just became my special place. Obviously the wine and food are the best, and the scenery is breathtaking…I think that may cover it…I love the language and the people. That covers it.

Miss your family and friends? Sure. But it wasn’t like I saw them every day or week…they all work, school, kids…a totally different lifestyle in the US versus Italy in a small medieval village. And they will come and visit me as my friends will. Plus with all the technology of free wifi calls, zoom, face time, etc…we can stay in touch.

Are you able to live there permanently? No, I am on a Tourist Visa. I can stay here for 90 days, then I have to leave for 90 days. Hoping it changes someday and it will probably, but for now, I am a bit of a nomad!! Which means I find a country friendly to Americans, out of the Schengen Visa program…and explore it! A new adventure. Citizenship and residency visas are not always easy to acquire but I’m working on it.

Why did I choose Orte to live in? It was not a difficult choice. I love Rome and Florence and wanted to be between them. I could walk every day in Rome and see new places, art, statues, churches, history…Rome is simply magnificent. Florence is the heart of the Renaissance and the beauty and stories of both places are truly amazing. Orte has a long interesting history and has the best and biggest train station to everywhere!!! I just get on a train to Rome or Florence or a hundred other places!

Is the food that different or better than America? Yes, I get asked about the food! It’s a more interesting situation in these smaller countries. In Italy, we eat only what is in season. Locally. Our surrounding area. There are no huge commercial processing of food or livestock. It is all local. The reason the people in the outlying smaller cities, towns, villages eat local fresh food. Fresh bread (Italian bread has no sugar or salt) is very good. Once you start eating food with less sugar and salt, you taste the amazing flavors and it is pretty darn good. I’ve seen only local produce in my village and the surrounding metro area. The restaurants will ship in fish. Sometimes I see fruits from Sicily but that’s about it. Wines are another story. They come in from all over Italy. Rarely do I see wines from outside Italy. And why would you? Italy has some of the very best in the world. Good house wines are cheaper than soft drinks in restaurants. And clearly healthier!!! A fresh bakery in my village offers just baked breads and pastries. The gelato is made locally. Agritorism restaurants here specialize in locally grown food. Food is a national sport!!

Why is food so important to the Italians? Life revolves around ‘breaking bread’ with family and friends. Restaurants live and die in Italy on the quality of their food. Very few food chains here (thankful for that). If a restaurant is not cooking great food, it goes out of business. The best pizza I’ve ever had is at a Cafe in my village. My local wine store offers ‘Bio’ (organic wine) that is heavenly. So many food experiences in Italy that simply do not exist in America. Italy embraces tradition and the ‘way we’ve always done it’. Much smaller population and gardens are everywhere. Europe got rid of Monsanto years ago, so no Round Up here. Lots more ‘clean’ food. Although I do miss my sweet potatoes. I have to look into when they are in season in Italy.

What do you do all day? If I close my bedroom windows and door, I can sleep in. Once up, showered, I have a coffee and plan my day. I like to walk so I find someplace to walk to generally. The water in my village is full of calcium magnesium so every week I buy huge bottles of drinking water. Very cheap. Water in many places here is not great for drinking. At some point I’ll do a water softener and reverse osmosis. I can do laps around my village and I go down the mountain just about every day. I visit friends, May need to grocery shop, just depends. And exploring the many villages and areas that are relatively unknown to tourists is pretty fun. I visit friends in other towns.

How are the people there? I find them very nice generally. Italy is far from perfect as is every country. But it is so beautiful here. Where I live, the weather is temperate and very manageable in this historically old apartment I live in. The walls are so thick that it keeps the apartment cool in the summer, much cooler than I thought it would! And the winters are milder. When I walk down the street in this village, every person that walks by me says buongiorno, ciao, or salve. I always smile and am genuinely glad to see them. It is lovely to speak to so many people. And they respond in kind. Quite different in America. The Italians all want to see America. Some have visited and loved it.

Isn’t it more expensive in Italy? Depends on where you live. I find many many food and other items quite inexpensive compared to the US. Unlike the US, raising prices due to inflation is a very slow process. So food is less expensive, much fresher and easily acquired. I don’t drive, so I walk to the stores or take the local bus. I find the produce amazing. Tomatoes have a fabulous taste. I’m eating the sweetest peach I have ever had. Then I’ll snack on red cherries that are amazing. So you know, and I’m sure you do, Italy keeps the ‘best’ for themselves. Wine, olive oil, etc. Very similar to what the French do. Wine is way less expensive here and in restaurants, a glass is generally cheaper than a coke. And house wine is great. What else is less? Utilities, property taxes, bus fares, train fares, (well our bus and train systems leave something to be desired).

What is free in Italy? So many places to see and visit for sure. In Rome, St Peter’s Basilica is the most revered and extraordinary cathedral in the world. Free to get in, but without a tour guide, you will miss so much of the history and why it is designed the way it is, who designed, the statues, chapels, so much. Rome is an outdoor museum. Free at the Vittorio Emanuele II monument and military museum inside. But you go up to the roof, pay a minor amount to take the elevator all the way up and the views are stunning. There is a long list of ‘free’ to see in Italy – everywhere. Oh yes, back to the food…very little processed food. Italy has many laws and they protect their people. The countries that have a national healthcare system provide not only great patient care but laws to protect the food chain for their people. What a novel idea.

Do the Italians really take care of their families and their elders? From what I have seen, they do. Immensely. Family is everything. If one of them needs help, they all pitch in, financially and personally. There are places to stay when someone is going through a bad patch. They protect each other and their family. Now don’t get me wrong, I have limited exposure to this without being ‘nosy’ but having been invited into some of their homes and meeting their families, it is quite evident they take it seriously and they honor each other. They are loving caring parents. There are not too many rest homes, nursing homes or assisted living homes. The elderly are with their adult children and they honor them. It is a family trait throughout the country. Is it true all the time? Of course not but for the most part, they truly cherish family. In the summer, kids (small kids) are out with their parents til 11pm! Playing ! Italian kids are exposed to wine at meals early in life so having alcohol is no big deal to them later. Fewer alcoholics and less drunk driving. So it seems to me.

I think I have covered a lot of territory here..if you have a question, hit the Reply button and ask. I am including lots of photos from travels this week. Narni, Amelia, Terni, Todi and places in between! I have a friend here so we went everywhere!!! And got lost a few times… Never miss a new blog…sign up here!