I’m in Italy right now with my wife, our fifth time here together. This time we are spending the holidays in Bologna, and it has been the best trip we’ve had here. I just wrote about my observations and how different life is here as compared to the pace at home in the states, especially during Christmastime. I yearn to live here, but that will have to wait for retirement in 10 or so years. Your piece has only driven that desire home even more poignantly!
I really like Bologna. I’ve been getting to know it better as our son is living there for a year. Seems very liveable. Yes, jump in when you can—living over here magical.
We’ve been in Milan for the last two days, flying back to New York tomorrow (let the tears flow), and it only drove home how lovely Bologna is. Milan is certainly nice in its own right, but we really took to our eight days in Bologna. It is just so accessible, walkable, and the food!! We will definitely be back.
Wow, I love this, Nancy. I’m a midwesterner married into an Italian immigrant family. In retirement my wife and I live three months of the year in Italy. I see and hear and feel what you so beautifully describe. We leave in two weeks for Bologna, then down to San Marino where we live over there. Si che si sta bene.
When I went to Europe 5 years ago, Italy was my favorite country to visit. My wife spent a decent amount of time there in her 20's and loved the people there as well. We speak Spanish and I feel there's so much overlap with Italian. It's not a perfect 1:1 all the time, but it's similar enough for me to understand what people are saying sometimes. Thanks for this article. Makes me want to move to Italy.
These two lines made me laugh out loud: "the last time this house was remodeled— In 1777." and "I discovered that our kids were a lot less fragile than I thought when we lived in Berkeley." Profound and far-reaching. Wonderful, Nancy!
Thank you. Oh my, what a complicated topic language is. Our kids are native speakers at this point, but we are limping along much more slowly than I’d like. It’s a long discussion, but the bottom line is that comprehension is very situational for me. And much better if someone is slightly slower and clearer. I’m still struggling with speaking—gotta get over my self-consciousness. How is your Italian coming? Any hints?
I’m in Italy right now with my wife, our fifth time here together. This time we are spending the holidays in Bologna, and it has been the best trip we’ve had here. I just wrote about my observations and how different life is here as compared to the pace at home in the states, especially during Christmastime. I yearn to live here, but that will have to wait for retirement in 10 or so years. Your piece has only driven that desire home even more poignantly!
I really like Bologna. I’ve been getting to know it better as our son is living there for a year. Seems very liveable. Yes, jump in when you can—living over here magical.
We’ve been in Milan for the last two days, flying back to New York tomorrow (let the tears flow), and it only drove home how lovely Bologna is. Milan is certainly nice in its own right, but we really took to our eight days in Bologna. It is just so accessible, walkable, and the food!! We will definitely be back.
Beautiful essay. I felt what I feel when I’m there!
Awww. Thank you so much. It matters a lot to know that what I am writing connects with reader’s hearts.
Wow, I love this, Nancy. I’m a midwesterner married into an Italian immigrant family. In retirement my wife and I live three months of the year in Italy. I see and hear and feel what you so beautifully describe. We leave in two weeks for Bologna, then down to San Marino where we live over there. Si che si sta bene.
Thanks so much for writing, Rich. Sounds like you enjoy here as much as I do. I need to get to San Marino… not too far away and on my list!
When I went to Europe 5 years ago, Italy was my favorite country to visit. My wife spent a decent amount of time there in her 20's and loved the people there as well. We speak Spanish and I feel there's so much overlap with Italian. It's not a perfect 1:1 all the time, but it's similar enough for me to understand what people are saying sometimes. Thanks for this article. Makes me want to move to Italy.
It is a magical place to live. We’ve never looked back.
love your take on life here... complimenti.
I really appreciate that! Thanks for taking the time to tell me.
What town are you in ? Im in Vetralla, prov Viterbo…stop by if you are in the area.
Beautiful! I can’t wait to live in Italy one day!
It has certainly been positive for us.
I love the description of living out of focus! That is the perfect way to express it
Thanks! Certainly true for me.
These two lines made me laugh out loud: "the last time this house was remodeled— In 1777." and "I discovered that our kids were a lot less fragile than I thought when we lived in Berkeley." Profound and far-reaching. Wonderful, Nancy!
Thank you! I had fun writing this one.
Wonderful read! So gappy to have found a kindred spirit in your situation and writing!
Thank you so much!
I just saw this. Thank you for these perspectives. I particularly like the myopia analogy.
Thank you. Oh my, what a complicated topic language is. Our kids are native speakers at this point, but we are limping along much more slowly than I’d like. It’s a long discussion, but the bottom line is that comprehension is very situational for me. And much better if someone is slightly slower and clearer. I’m still struggling with speaking—gotta get over my self-consciousness. How is your Italian coming? Any hints?