1103 Obsession with Italy

Dear Sweetpeg,

You are not alone. See previous thread for some ideas as to why we love Italy. [url]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=641[/url]

Please don't get a tattoo of the Italian flag though, it would look terrible. What about a part of piece of art instead? Michaelangelo's David (You choose which bit. :) Or Botticelli's Venus? Or something less famous and more personal to you?

Good luck and hope you get back to Italy soon.

Maria Lucia

Thank you for the idea of the Statue of David - that made me smile and LOL actually. I love that idea. I'm going to check that out. I will read back on other posts - I just want to know what/how other people feel.

Have a wonderful day/evening depending on time zone :)

Hi Sweetpeg,
well like you I have an obsession with Italy, but mine started about 30 years ago!! To cut a long story short, I met my hubby in Jesolo. We have been back to Italy several times, but the last time was about 28 years ago. We went back to Jesolo again this year and visited Venice. Needless to say the old magic was and still is there. Now we are looking to eventually move to Italy, so I am gathering all things Italian. So am making up a folder covering various topics, like they are covered on this forum, for future use.
Welcome to the forum and no doubt there are other equally obsessive people out there :)
chiao
Frances

You are all so kind. No flag tattoo, but I have to have one that has to do with Italy! No other flags of any other country. I love the idea of the Statue of David - Actually I wouldn't but it just makes me laugh to ask an artist to tattoo David on me :D

I just wanted to say thank you. I will live there one day, if not in my dreams, but I will visit in the meantime - what a wonderful place to be obsessed with!

Really, I'm truly amazed with the kindness from all of you.

Ciao, Peggy

I think a statue of David right down the centre of your back would be great, perhaps modified a little to hold a small Italian flag ??? Seriously though, lovely post, start saving, Italy will wait for you to make the trip... :)

Peg,

I thought that your email rang a few bells. I think that I also have an Italian obsession. I try and visit at least once a year to get my 'fix' and subscribe to all the magazines etc. My father is half Portuguese so I have a slight reason for my obsession (wrong country but close enough).

I hope that one day I may retire to Italy (which is over 30 years away!) but in the meantime I am learning Italian, which is a beautiful language and a pleasure to learn even though I find it difficult. I took the GCSE this year so we should be getting back our results soon :eek: Hopefully in 30 years time I will be fluent!

Maybe you should find out if anyone in your area shares your passion for Italy and form a club, there are apparently a few dotted around the UK.

Anyway, hopefully we shall see you reporting back from your next visit to Italy soon!

[QUOTE=Sweetpeg]: I have "Siena" as my license plate. . . . . . - hey I'm a native Californian [/QUOTE] Hey Peg, I too am a native Californian and I moved to Siena 11 years ago. Love it!

Wahoo to move to Italy and Siena at that, that is a treat! I hope to retire to Italy also, but my husband has other ideas. For me I have about 15/20 more years to go - my husband can retire next year if he would like and he is talking about it.

I promised this very attractive waiter in Firenze when we were there this year that when I came back to visit in 2007 I would be fluent in Italian when I go back. He may not be there, but I will be able to converse with the locals and that makes me so happy. I know I will keep visiting Italy, I just can't wait to live there one day. In the meantime I am happy learning as much as I can, learning how to speak the language, cooking the great food, and drinking the wine, that I order and have shipped to California, which is expensive with shipping cost right now. Gas prices have made shipping cost unbelievably high. I need to sip this next shipment of wine from there slowlllllly!!!! :p

Anyway, I'm just babbling, but oh how I love Italy!!!! Thank you all who have written with your response, I now know I'm not alone with this great, wonderful obession of a beautiful, wonderful, country. Hey, I could have some really bad obessions!!!

I am looking into Italian classes at a couple of the Jr. Colleges around here. For those of you who live there now take care of Italy for me until I can live there also. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Peg

Sweetpeg, just had a thought, there is a book which you might find enjoyable, covering the Chianti Region, it's called "Too Much Tuscan Sun" by Dario Castagno, hope you like it. :)

[QUOTE=GeorgeS]Sweetpeg, just had a thought, there is a book which you might find enjoyable, covering the Chianti Region, it's called "Too Much Tuscan Sun" by Dario Castagno, hope you like it. :)[/QUOTE]

I've seen that on Amazon (it's not too expensive), George. Is it worth getting? Must say, I could do with a different angle on the America/Brit in Italy theme. He was a tour guide, right?

You've also solved a puzzle, as I found it on Amazon then when I thought about getting couldn't remember his name or the books title! :o Thanks.

Russ

George, thank you for the suggestion on the book. I love to read, that is not an understatement. I will order today.

You know there is so much I need to learn about Italy and what it takes to move there, and again it may happen it may not, I have a few years, just because my husband is ready to retire doesn't mean I'm at that age where I am. Whole different subject - ha ha.

Alot of you are from the UK - where do I start, whom do I talk with about living in Italy, I mean, I can't start in the UK asking questions about living in Italy if I'm from the US, right? Where do I start?

You know, know offense to Fodor's and I really do like them and love to read about trips the people take, and the questions they ask, but all of you who make comments on the posts are so nice, you say nice things. Maybe it is a European thing, because you all seem so genuinely nice. I appreciate it so much and wow, I think it is great!!!!!

Slow down lady....... :D , Cristina who wrote you earlier in this thread runs a site expats in italy, click on her name and link from her profile, but, don't neglect us on this site either, many of us consider ourselves to be European rather than simply Brits. Enjoy. ;)

It does give an enlighteningly refreshing look at Italian American relations, be careful where you read it though, the bit about the guy with the eyeshadow from Las Vegas had me incapable of owt for a while, unfortunately I was drinking coffee at the time, they assure me they can get the stain out of the bar ceiling... Ohh BTW, you can buy the book through the Italy Mag. shop although I have had difficulty accessing just lately.

George,

I plan on talking to Christina when I get a chance. I do get very excited - Hee Hee - I want to learn so much and I get all wound up about things. I think it is a Gemini thing... Me :) So many questions, so much to learn, so much to chat about, so many people I'm chatting with. It's exciting, it's great. I personally don't care how you classify or see yourself. I just know that here in Southern California and I know I will hear about this, we seem to be in too much in a hurry to spend quality time with people and listen to them. Yes I know, like I said I will hear about it. I said [U]seem to be![/U]

I've got to get to work it is a busy Monday morning and I'm chatting away to all of you.

Peg, you really need to be living in Italy, I am genuinely afraid that you might burst... ;) , there'll be a great big BOOM, and everyone will be covered in enthusiasm. :) Over here, every minute is quality time, we may not have "fast everything", but, we don't need it, people seem to be much happier, away from the cities life runs at a different pace, I was amazed to see somebody running last year, hasn't happened yet this year.
Njoy your day.

[QUOTE=GeorgeS]It does give an enlighteningly refreshing look at Italian American relations, be careful where you read it though, the bit about the guy with the eyeshadow from Las Vegas had me incapable of owt for a while, unfortunately I was drinking coffee at the time, they assure me they can get the stain out of the bar ceiling... Ohh BTW, you can buy the book through the Italy Mag. shop although I have had difficulty accessing just lately.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, George. I'll order it from Amazon today. Just started on Tim Parks' Italian Education, so by the time it arrives I should be ready. The idea struck me as nice, and I guess goes against the normal fare.

Thanks for the info

Russ

p.s. Just read your last post to Peg and am envious...stuck in an office today in Wales... :(

You'll enjoy the Parkes book too, I ended up driving down to Pescara to drive the beach road, checking out the details (sad, but it was a lovely day) Office, hmmmm, lets see, ohh yes, I remember now, you poor thing, but, at least you now know it's raining here just a little... :)

[QUOTE=GeorgeS]You'll enjoy the Parkes book too, I ended up driving down to Pescara to drive the beach road, checking out the details (sad, but it was a lovely day) Office, hmmmm, lets see, ohh yes, I remember now, you poor thing, but, at least you now know it's raining here just a little... :)[/QUOTE]

..yes, I'm reduced to reading about Italy at the moment, till we go again in November... bugger, it'll start to get cold then :(

Hi Sweetpeg,
I to keep dreaming of Itlay. I'm from Rhode Island. I was there in April myself and can not stop thing of Italy. I'm lucky I live in a state with alot of italian heritage. I go on this site everyday to check out how I can move there. This site has some great information. I am lucky to be able to take an italian class that is offered by a school teacher that started a small school at night.They offer classes to beginners to advance. Try to find a teacher who wants to make extra money in your area to start their own italian school. I pay $60.00 for 8 lessons that last an hour and a half. I want to be able to speak fluently so when I do buy a house it will be easier for me. Well have to get back to work.
Salve
John

Hi John,

I remember you introducing yourself in introductions not too long ago. $60.00 for 8 lessons sounds good to me. I want to speak fluently when I go back in 2007 - have to save my money :) I think I had mentioned that I promised this very good looking waiter - not that, that is my reason for speaking fluent Italian - I need to speak when I hope to live there one day. What areas did you go to in April? Was it your first time there? It was mine, but had dreamed of going there since I was little. Not that I'm big now, just older - hee hee. I am checking into Jr. College around this area. I've been on their website and the Italian class that fits my schedule is booked. I'm going to try to crash the class - but I do like the idea of asking a teacher if they would like to make a little extra money. I will let you know, if I find someone who will do that. They have a local Chapter here of The Son's of Italy, I'm going to check out their meeting time and see if I could find someone there who could help me.

Well, I have some work to do, so back at it so I can save my pennies to get back in 2007! :D I just love the little smiley faces!

Ciao Sweetpeg,
When I went in April I went to Sorrento, Naples, Amalfi coast,Itri and Rome. This was my third time there. I went to the Puglia region last time I was there as well as Torino. I LOVE ITALY. I can not wait to go back. I hope to go again in 2006 but if not definitely in 2007. I think about it everyday. I hope you can find a school out there to help you learn. Before I found a class I went to a Community College to learn. These other class help alot though, because the teacher speaks italian 95% of the class. Well have to get ready for work now, talk to you soon.
Ciao
John :)

hello sweetpeg,whilst it is lovely to have such an interest,it is easy to let it dominate your life and blind you to the good things around you.to make you feel better,i have two italian friends ,in their twenties, who are desperate to move to california as american culture and music are so interesting to young people.they also feel that their chance of a good career will be enhanced by moving to america.we must all remember to notice the flowers in our own back yard.

Red Tulip,

I do know what you are saying, let me tell you what wonderful things I have here in California - just real quick; My husband, my two adult daughters 28 and 22 who both have one child each - by the way, I'm not old enough to be a grandmother, but here in California we do things early :D My granddaughter is 11 just started Jr. High today! My grandson is 19 months and wow what a blessing. I have a wonderful job, I have my parents here, even though divorced they are both alive and here and I'm lucky and blessed. Oh my gosh I could go on. I am lucky that I still like english speaking music, and movies and books - hee hee everything is not in Italiano, but I've not onced thought I hate California and my life, I'm blessed truly, truly blessed. I just have an obsession and most of all a love for Italy, I have it more now than I ever did. We always have that period in our lives where we think the grass is greener, I know it is as green as you want it to be where ever you are. I would never let this love for Italy get in my way of what I have right now. I'm also very lucky that I was able to travel to Italy, I'm very lucky I will be able to go and visit again, but like I said I'm very blessed on what I have now, today and in the future.

By the way George I could burst from excitement!!!! :p

Have a wonderful day, evening ciao, Peggy