Comments on: settling into southern italy

By: collette~all over the map

collette~all over the map — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:58:45 +0000

I know I’ve said it before but you are a great example of keeping a positive outlook, and yeah I know it’s not always easy to do but you still push on.

I think it’s such a blessing to have P, his family and some great neighbours. Good on ya for making lemonade (and other things) with life’s lemons.

collette~all over the map’s last blog post..circa 1977

Thanks Collette I think at some point, you realize that dwelling on the negatives really just makes everything worse–or at least I did.

By: Vita

Vita — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:09:21 +0000

Hey Michelle,

Thanks so much for taking on my question and answering it so beautifully!

I’m really fascinated with this topic of home, too. Well, you know, I’ve talked to you about it endlessly. And it helps to know that it’s a theme among Libra people.

I keep dreaming up my life in three places – something like, summer in Maine, winter and spring in Italy, some time down in New York/New Jersey with my friends and family.

Could I live in three places?

Diana, your comments really resonated too… and you should write a blog!

But Michelle, I’m still shaking my head amazed at your going to that village knowing not a word of Italian (of however the story goes) and just having your life blossom . . .

Diana does have a blog, Vita–just click on her name! As for the amazement factor, you know, I feel that too. Do you ever look back on something and think “How could I have ever done that/ What was I thinking (in a good way)?” That’s a bit how I feel about this move. Like I ask myself would I have the courage, the drive, the energy, the passion to do that now? Impossible to answer, of course, because I’m a different person, it’s a different time, I’ve had different experiences between then and now…but still…I’m pretty amazed by it myself

Oh, and I don’t see why you couldn’t live in three places, so long as financially it’s feasible!

By: judy haley (coffeejitters)

judy haley (coffeejitters) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:13:25 +0000

I just wanted to let you know that I’m really enjoying this series on your move to Italy.

Sometimes your heart knows just exactly what to do even if it takes your brain a bit to catch up. I love stories where people follow their heart and it leads them to an entirely new life.

judy haley (coffeejitters)’s last blog post..The Great Tree

Thank you Judy; indeed, sometimes (if not always) the heart knows best

By: nonizamboni

nonizamboni — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:36:02 +0000

As a Libra this lifestyle would suit me just fine! In fact living in Chicago for 16 years finished me off.
Enjoyed reading your thoughts about this subject and Calabria. Thanks!

nonizamboni’s last blog post..C for ABC Wednesday

Woohoo for Libras

By: City Girl

City Girl — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:09:49 +0000

When you came to Calabria, did you initially live with a family or find an apartment right away? I know your village is small and I am curious how you found a place to him, because small villages = small supply of available housing - at least in my experience. My mother grew up in a village in Ticino that today has 1600 inhabitants, but had more like 1200 in the 1980s (when I spent most of my time there) -- and there were maybe two available apartments or houses at any time. Often, people who were from the village, went to a big city (Zurich, Geneva, Milan, Rome) for a few years, and then came back to settle down would move back in with their parents because of lack of available housing. If they wanted a home of their own, they often would HAVE to build a house, or renovate a really old one that no one had lived in for a long time etc. Fortunately, there are some enormous quarries in Ticino (and, IIRC a brick factory), so if they went with local materials, it is doable. Plus these houses are small -- a big house has 900 sq feet there. My grandparents' house is probably about 650 square feet of living space, but has the typical cellar and attic to help with storage space. City Girl's last blog post..What's Cooking Wednesday - Catalan Chickpeas with Almonds and Tomatoes Oh there's *no* trouble finding housing in most of the medieval hilltop towns in Calabria...they're nearly all abandoned! Some of the properties aren't really in living condition, but there's definitely room. I bought a house, which I wrote about in The House of Violets.

By: karen cole

karen cole — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:31:40 +0000

It’s wonderful reading about that wonderful life of yours.

The question about life being less rushed and stressful…….oh my, as soon as I land in any Italian city, I am instantly transported back to a simpler time…..like the 50’s, yikes!….I was here in the 50’s.

Thanks for sharing, Michelle.

karen cole’s last blog post..THE BEACH PART 2-THE BEACH IS A PAINT BOX

P and I always joke that Calabria, in particular, is about 50 years behind America…sometimes that’s not such a bad thing

By: Karina

Karina — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:57:12 +0000

You have the most refreshing view on life, and I know that wherever you would have ended up living, you would have been happy, because it’s just in your personality to appreciate the things you have. That said, I really see how you were “meant” to end up in Calabria…and we’re all blessed for it, because you share it with us.

Karina’s last blog post..Soul Sisters

Thank you Karina

By: Chel

Chel — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:35:52 +0000

And come on, now, it’s all about the lemons. Of course, I think limes are better, but what do I know.

I answered my own questions this evening. Thanks for the idea!!

Chel’s last blog post..There Are No Stupid Questions …

So happy to see your answers Chel!

By: Valerie aka City Girl

Valerie aka City Girl — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:34:19 +0000

Hi — I have been a lonnnnggg-time lurker, ever since you were sognatrice in fact. I used to write a beauty blog (beautymusings.blogspot.com) but have expanded it to more of a lifestyle/balance blog. My resolution with this blog was to delurk on all the blogs I am reading I love reading your blog for so many reasons — it’s inspiring and you have a great tone. But another reason is that I speak Italian (though to be fair am very rusty at this point) and love to read about life in Italy. My mother is from the Italian part of Switzerland and we used to travel there a lot when we visited her family. I have never been as far South as where you are so it’s always a treat to learn more.

Valerie aka City Girl’s last blog post..Now for a Shorter Post

So great to see you Valerie! Congrats on the new blog and on delurking I hope you’ll enjoy blogging a lot more this way…I know I do!

By: SabineM

SabineM — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:42:00 +0000

I really envy you for having just gone and followed your dream. It must not have been an easy thing to just leave a good job and “home” to start fresh somewhere completely foreign, even if you felt comfortable in that village!
I never gave where I live much thought until just recently. Lately I KNOW that where I LIVE is not WHERE I AM MEANT to be…but now it is complicated, I am married, not the bread winner, and have two girls. WE moved alot with my husband and with my now 14 year old. Now she is about to enter High School. We need to stay put, but both hubby and I agree that in 4 years we will find our spot. Our younger one will only be 7 so she will be ok to still move…..What I am trying to say is that I ADMIRE you for what you have done!!!!
And I am GREEN with envy! ))

SabineM’s last blog post..Even my Blog doesn’t know what IT is about…

No need for envy Sabine; you’ll be on a similar road soon enough