Bleeding Espresso

I love proverbs in any language, but there’s nothing more pleasing to my ears than Calabrese proverbs…and man do they love to talk about the weather.

Here are three you’re likely to hear around Badolato throughout this month, the first two in dialect, the last in Italian:

Badolatese: ‘U friddu ‘i Marzu trapàna u cornu do voi.
Italiano: Il freddo di Marzo penetra nel corno del bue.
English literal: The cold of March pierces the ox’s horns.
English loose: When it’s cold in March, you’ll freeze your arse off.

One more basic and to the point:

• Badolatese: Marzu è pacchiu.
• Italiano: Marzo è pazzo.
• English: March is crazy.

And to elaborate on that point:

Italiano: Arriva marzo pazzerello; esce il sole e prendi l’ombrello!
English: Here comes crazy March; the sun comes out and you grab your umbrella!

It is true. March weather really does tend to be rather pazzo. It seemed to start in February this year with several days of both sunshine and rain, so we’ll see what this year brings. So far so good!

What are your favorite proverbs (in any language)?

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If you’re also my friend on Flickr, you may have caught these photos, but since my Facebook/Flickr connection doesn’t work well (or at all), here are some pictures from this past fall in Calabria:

Have a great week!

Are my fellow Americans ready for Thanksgiving?

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I’m finally getting around to answering more of your questions from way back when. After today’s answers, the only questions that remain, I believe, are blogging-related, and I’ve answered those in my FAQ page. Have you seen my new FAQ page by the way? Go ahead, click it! And let me know what you think!

OK, back to today’s post, which answers some questions about adjusting to life as an expat in Italy.

1. Janie (whose blog seems to have disappeared! Aiuto!) asked how I was received by the residents.

Actually *really* well. Sure, many wondered why I would choose to move here and be (gasp) so far away from my mother, but the villagers have always been really helpful and kind, even before I knew P.

I’ve mentioned plenty of times that it’s not uncommon to be given bags of fruit and other edible gifts, but the villagers are also always up for a chat or to help carry packages as well; in general, I have to say the people here are just nice, or at least they have been to me.

2. Knowing that I’m a lot addicted to reading, Franca asked about buying books here.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m *really* spoiled when it comes to books. People (including my mom) send me them rather often, and I also get quite a few review copies through the blog.

I very rarely order books, but in the past, I’ve just ordered through Amazon; you can use the UK site if you’re worried about shipping issues. There are also some Italy-based sellers such as IBS.it, Webster.it, and LaFeltrinelli.it that carry some English-language books as well.

3. Franca also asked about dealing with being away from family.

Hmm. Well, that’s something that is undoubtedly different for everyone. I consider myself extremely close emotionally to my family, but I haven’t lived physically close to them since I was 17 (except for a few summers).

I’ve had to rely on phone calls, letters, e-mails, etc., to keep in touch for quite a long time, so I suppose in a way I’m kind of used to being away from them now. The holidays and certain special occasions can be difficult, but how do you get through anything tough?

Me? I cry or I don’t; I keep myself busy or I don’t; I reminisce about the past or I don’t; I plan trips home or I don’t. You know, I don’t know. It’s really hard for me to give advice on this because what works for me won’t work for everyone–heck, what works for me one day may not work the next.

I guess my best advice is that you do your best to work through the feelings of missing your loved ones in your home country, and if you really feel like you’re unhappier here than you would be there, you move back.

Or at least that’s what I would do. I think.

Fellow expats or those who have moved away from “home,”
what are your adjustment tips?

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A while back, NYC/Caribbean Ragazza asked about my favorite season in Calabria.

Every time I started to write a response, I kept thinking of reasons why I liked another season, so here is why I love all le quattro stagioni in Calabria (hey, they’re more than just concertos or pizza toppings!):

Primavera

What is not to love about Spring?

The days are getting longer and the sun is shining more, which means perfect conditions for long walks with the dogs (and now with the kid) and just sitting outside, reading, taking photos, and generally enjoying the fresh air.

After all the rain and wind of winter, it’s always so wonderful to get out for long stretches of time, drinking in the sunshine and enjoying the deep blues of the sky and the sea contrasted against the green grass and yellow flowers sprouting up everywhere.

I just love when Spring is springing in Calabria!

L’estate

I’ll admit that the Summer is probably my least favorite of the seasons here because it can (and does) get *so* stinking hot, but it’s still a great time to be in Calabria.

I’m not much of a beach person, but it *is* rather nice to have the option so close.

And I especially appreciate summer evenings when the stars are twinkling bright overhead and the moonlight leads the way.

And since we do live in stone, brick, and tile houses, certain rooms can provide a bit of respite from the most debilitating heat—usually the bedroom as Calabrians were smart to put them on the bottom floors.

L’autunno

I’m a Fall baby, so I’ve always loved the crisp air and changing leaves, but in Calabria, it also brings much needed and desired rain–and I happen to be a huge fan of rain.

Also, since I’ve spent the majority of my years going back to school in the Fall, right around September, I get recharged and remotivated to look back on what I had planned for the year, evaluate how far I’ve come, and decide how much I still have to do.

I also get inspired to get back into the kitchen after the scorching summer months, and that always energizes me (and my stomach) as well.

L’inverno

Some people don’t enjoy Calabria in the Winter because it seems so, well, dead as there are few tourists around compared to the rest of the year. Me?

I *love* the quiet that comes not only from the lack of people but also from the lack of construction in the village.

Can’t work on houses in the rain and wind!

And of course, since it gets dark so early, every evening has a fighting chance to be an intimate one, sitting by the fire with a glass a wine, P, the pooches, and a good movie or book.

I’m a homebody at heart, and Winter gives me the perfect excuse to indulge.

What’s your favorite season where you live and why?

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Just as you surely remember that September was Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, I’m positive you also know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

But just because Halloween is here, which means October is coming to a close (how did that happen?!), it doesn’t mean that we have to stop thinking PINK*:

1. Someone asked for Pink…lol, 2. Pink hibiscus…, 3. Gradually Pink, 4. Smile!, 5. :: the pink daisy ::, 6. pink peep bunnies, 7. Pink!, 8. Petal Princess, 9. Pretty Pink Gingham Girls, 10. Pink Rose, 11. Pink Ribbon (close-up), 12. Cherish the pink sky, 13. Hazel Atlas Ripple C/S, 14. sweet melody, 15. Pink Tutus, 16. Pink Delights, 17. Berries Smoothie, 18. Tiny drops on pink flowers, 19. red & pink, 20. PinK, wHy So pINk??

*Special thanks to my dear friend Collette at All Over the Map for the inspiration to create this pink mosaic!

For more information on breast cancer awareness:

Breast Cancer Awareness Tool Kit

National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Home Page

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Don’t forget to check out Judith’s Peach Crisp, this week’s La Buona Cucina Americana at Think on it! and hey, what great Halloween costumes do you and your children have planned?

Buon weekend and Happy Halloween!

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