Italy: Romance vs. Reality
People often fall in love with Italy after a brief vacation or 2. It is certainly easy to do, and I am speaking from experience. A couple of women have recently mentioned to me that they feel the pull of Italy as well, but they are not sure if they just have a romanticized idea of what Italian life means, or if they would be disappointed by the reality of it.
Italy definitely has its quirks, but if you love it, you deal. Its kind of like being in love with a man...at first he is perfect! You can't live without him! Eventually though, we learn that he farts regularly in his sleep and has stinky feet, but that smile that we first fell for never changes and we accept the whole package because nothing in life is perfect.
Yes, living in Italy is very much like that. It just depends on how bad the farts are--we all have our own levels of tolerance.
To all of you out there considering changing your life:
I can only remind you that you will never know until you try.
posted by Tracie P. at 3/16/2006 10:48:00 AM
11 Comments:
hey - that's exactly what my friend told me before I resigned from my job and moved to Switzerland. There was shock from family and friends but also hope. That's certainly my motto still today!
Oh we saw the funniest show last night with Brigitte Nielson and Flava Flave. She apparently left her finance who was an Italien hunk in Milan for him... I'm thinking it's all a ploy for a tv show but who knows... We were laughing the entire show because it was so funny and so just stupid!
3/16/2006 11:12 AM
I got your email. Great post...the photo is stunning!
Looking forward to experiencing the romance and reality of Italy next month.
ciao
3/16/2006 11:25 AM
I guess that's the question about so much of life: Romance vs. Reality. I really like that it can be both (not either or), which helps balance both out. I love the photo!
3/16/2006 12:36 PM
I'd like to go to Italy someday. It sounds so nice :)
3/16/2006 1:49 PM
I really like your analogy of loving Italy and being in love of a man, specially about the farts and stinky feet.
Actually, it is true that farts and stinky feet are part of a relation, and I would even say that they are the "fire test" for a relation. If someone stays by your side even knowing your deffects, it is because he/she really loves you.
So, I could assume you really love Italy not only because of the nice moments, but because of the whole experience!
3/16/2006 3:21 PM
To be honest Stef's farts are so bad I have seriously considered leaving him once or twice! I mean how come they didn't smell like that in the first 6 months? How do you hide something like that? Oh and wonderful photo (again!).
3/16/2006 4:34 PM
Well, I have never heard Italy fart during the night, but it does have its problems. Farts aside, I LOVE here.
Just wanted to wish you and your cute Italian man Happy St. Patrick's Day! Hope you find a little way to celebrate.
Mc Cyndi O'Italy
3/17/2006 3:07 AM
I absolutely adored the pic you included in your blog today. And yes, Italy is just the way you describe it, but I, too, am in love with it. Maybe, in my case, it's becuasue of familial heritage and I mean, if your parents are from Ischia....who can possible resist?! In any case, Tracie, your motto is perfect and I hope to take advantage of it someday. Thanks for the great thoughts!
3/17/2006 8:13 AM
I too fell in love with Italy when I went on vacation there. I fell in love with the small village though, I would not want to live in a Florence or Rome.
I guess it is moot, since I fell in love with a Greek instead of an Italian. Still, farting *is* a universal language. As is learning to deal with it.
3/17/2006 12:00 PM
You forgot snores. If you can take a snoring man, I think you can take Italy.
3/18/2006 10:58 AM
tracie b, this is a great post and the photo is amazing. I sure hope that stinky feet don't bother you too much! ;-)
your blog is awesome... sincerely, your biggest fan, jp
10/27/2008 8:34 AM
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