Why I Would Want to Live *There*
Last night as my mom, niece, and I were leaving a restaurant (Italian, mind you), my mom stopped to talk with one of her former coworkers who happened to be seated nearby. My mom introduced me and mentioned I live in Italy.
“Why would you want to live there?” she responded.
I was beyond taken aback by the question. I know not everyone feels the desire to live and experience other cultures, but really? Why would I want to live in Italy? REALLY?
Completely baffled, I blanked but quickly blurted out, “Because I love it!” It wasn’t until later that I sat and thought about it. Of course I have lots of practical reasons I choose to live in Italy, including but not limited to the following:
- Paolo and all my fur babies
- Fresh delicious food (much of it from our own garden)
- The laidback lifestyle where I’m not pressured to have the latest gadget, iFillintheblank, etc.
- Living minutes from the sea and mountains
- Being surrounded by amazing history, culture, and beauty
- Pretty nice weather year-round
- How much healthier I feel since living there
But you know what? “Because I love it!” really sums it up best after all. It’s difficult to put my happiness and overwhelming sense of feeling I’m in the right place at the right time into words, spoken or written, but I know I feel it, and that is what’s important.
And as it turns out, that random, unexpected question really came at an interesting point during my first trip to America in nearly six years; I’m about two weeks in with another four to go, and I can honestly say I *know* I love (and miss) my life in Italy. There’s still a lot to process about this trip, but I’m grateful that I was pushed to explore at least some of that while I’m still living it.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m certainly enjoying my visit in the U.S. — this crazy Coal Region will always be home — but I have a new home I love now too.
And that’s reason enough for me to live there.
P.S. Buon compleanno to my amore (31) and to Bleeding Espresso (3)!
57 Beans of Wisdom to “Why I Would Want to Live *There*”
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Michelle Fabio is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer living in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy and savoring simplicity one sip at a time.
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Whoever put why would you want to live in America is a complete moron and needs to get out of the U.S. for damn sure. You obviously have not seen anything and because of that you think your life sucks. You don’t realize what you have. I have an amazing life there it is a real shame for you people who don’t enjoy your freedoms. I think you are very ungrateful and it makes me sick. People in Italy are very stuck up because all they care about is what they where just as much as some Americans do. Their clothes aren’t that great unless you want to pay for over prised shit. I am part Italian and it bothered me at first to get such an awakening thinking Italy would be the answer to my prayers like you all think. It is sad most people don’t live in another country for a year or so because it will allow you to appreciate what you do have. If you are anti America get out! I mean there are way too many people as it is so please come live here in Italy really. I would love to see one of you needing something done at your conveniance and then you realize you can’t get it. I hate stupid people, so if you don’t like to hear the other side of things then come see for yourseld with out a tour guide. You have no protection here from their laws so good luck! Italians immulate just about everything in the U.S. If it wasn’t for our technology, music and progression this country would have nothing.
I’m sorry you’ve had such a horrible time in Italy, but I write about *my* experiences on my blog, and these are those. I see from your IP that you live on a US military base, so you already have many differences in your life from what the rest of us have here. If Italy isn’t your thing, it’s not, and I can respect that, but that’s no reason to be rude and condescending. That’s tacky in any country.
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Michelle,
I just want to add here that I am a military wife, living in Italy… Naples to be exact, and I am enjoying this amazing opportunity to live abroad and taking in all that comes with experiencing a new culture, including the good and the bad things. I think when people close their hearts and their minds, they are unable to see the good things that are right in front of them! I appreciate you sharing your experiences with all of us, you are very inspiring, and any one who stops by, reads your words, and is not uplifted by them- I am sorry for them. Look around, find something great about your life, your town, your neighbors, and enjoy life!
Ciao Bella,
Tiffany
Thanks so much Tiffany
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I guess the person that asked you that question never visited Italy, or if they did, they did not visit with open heart and senses. I’m so glad you are happy there! I hope someday to visit Badolato and meet you! I will have to get into shape to walk up those mountain paths …walking up the hills in San Francisco on our recent vacation was a killer..lol!
Thanks Pat; hope you can stop in here sometime too…yes the hills can be quite a challenge for those not used to them (and sometimes to those of us who *are* used to them)
Pat´s last post . . . Muir Woods- California
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Hey Michelle,
Boy did I ever enjoy reading this post and comments. Oh, how I can relate. If there was ever an article where I could just copy and paste, THIS would be the one.
I’ve been here in Italy now for many years and my number one question has always been ‘Why?’ I think most people expect a short quick response like you did ‘because I love it’, or something like because of a love story or because or school or work.
It’s never such a simple answer that we can sum up in one word. I have to say the three words you used to sum it up work JUST FINE!
Julie
Thanks so much Julie
Julie ~ jbulie’s blog´s last post . . . Christmas Music is in the Air
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Michell you answered Ms. Brittiany with Grace and great restraint!
Every country no matter were has the great and the rotten to it,One should be open to other cultures food and repect thier customs.
Through change we grow for the better.
Thanks, Nell, and thanks for your thoughts as well
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Here’s the thing. Italy isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. France isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Surprise, neither is America. However, having said that I believe one must look for at least (!) three good things from every country one has the chance to visit, even if it’s so very small.
I’ve lived in America, and I’ve been living in Italy. I’ve always been torn on where I would want to remain after university because there seems to be two sides to both cultures, rather every culture.
The key, though, is to remain open. Every day, and every journey. It will make life much more interesting.
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