2821 Young Lover of Italy

hello!
I am becomming very fond of Italy lately, even though I have never visited. And I thought being a part of this forum would only help me to learn more about such an amazing place. I am from the United States, originally from Maine but now living in Florida. My boyfriend and I are studying Italian online and have gotten so interested in the Italian culture. I am currently reading a book about life in Rome. I guess I would just like to be very prepared for when I do eventually make my trip to Italy. I know I will have to study the language for at least a couple years, and I would like to know of ALL the historic places that I must visit.

If anyone has any advice as to books, etc that are a good resource for one looking to learn more about Italy, please let me know! And if anyone has any advice as to how one picks up and moves to Italy from the U.S., that would be very helpful as well!

Thanks for reading :)

Category
Introduce Yourself - Piacere Conoscerti

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/02/2006 - 09:41

Hi kmac, here's one of my favourite site's with oodles of useful links.

[url]http://www.uni.edu/becker/italiano2.html#grammar[/url]

Paula :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/02/2006 - 09:58

Here is a link for you with lots and lots of info!

[URL="http://www.expatsinitaly.com/index.htm"]http://www.expatsinitaly.com/index.htm[/URL]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/02/2006 - 12:25

Welcome to the forum. Come to Italy soon you will love it. Sure that having joined this forum will make you want to come here even more.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/03/2006 - 18:59

Well thank you all for the warm welcome. Those sites are and will be very helpful in the future. I am interested: What is everyone doing in Italy these days? Is anyone a business owner in Italy by chance? I am thinking about opening up my own business in the future and am curious as to how successful I might be in another country. I would actually like to open a coffee shop, but I'm not sure if my idea of a coffee shop would appeal to the Italians. I am not sure what area I would like to be in yet. I definitely need to make a visit first! I would love to hear what anyone would like to chat about. I am just happy to be a part of this forum :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/04/2006 - 04:52

Italians dont have coffee shops.

Any bar makes great coffee - its a way of life.

Bars open at 6 in the morning - I live in a small village the local bar is open from 0600-2400 - makes great coffee - people stop there on their way to work.

I personally think the idea of a coffee shop is a bit redundant in Italy - as the Italians do it the best from just about anywhere.

And dont let Aliena hear you are thinking of opening a coffee shop - read the thread in Circolo di conversazione - you might have to do an intensive course just to make your basic home coffee - let alone releasing it to the public!!!

A guy in the UK near to me - has opened up a chain of Fair Trade coffee shops - UK - I reckon would be a better bet!!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/04/2006 - 04:56

Finding work or starting businesses is not easy. There has been lots said in many of the threads but can't locate them at the mo.

Not sure that the Italians would take to kindly to a Coffee shop! ;)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/04/2006 - 07:22

Actually, you would really have to be quite mad.. or Italian.. to even consider opening a bar/coffee shop in Italy.

A very good friend of mine has such a speakeasy.. she is up at five o'clock EVERY morning to make pastries.. pizza.. cakes.. sandwiches.. take deliveries of coffee.. (Kimbo, of course) fresh milk.. chocolate etc., and get the Gaggia going for the first brew when she opens at six o'clock.

She has no lunch hour and remains open until at least ten o'clock in the evening.

She knows each and every one of the steady stream of customers that visit for a coffee and a gossip - they range from teenagers who come for advice to the Nonna's who give it. She and her bar/coffee shop are the centre of life in her area.. and if you want to know anything about anyone or something about nothing.. all you have to do is pop in for a coffee, take a seat and keep quiet while you listen to all the local news and gossip being bandied around.

She complains bitterly about her life.. about how she has no time to do anything.. about the hours worked.. about never having had a holiday.. about her customers and how demanding they are..

So one day, after a lot of complaining about everything.. I asked if she would like to change her life.. she looked absolutely astonshied.. rolled her eyes heavenward.. clasped her hands together as if praying.. and said..

Oh Dio.. lei e' matto oppure pazzo? :D

:) :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/05/2006 - 00:50

haha, yea... I guess the Italians wouldn't particularly care for an American opening up a coffee shop in their country. I'm sure my coffee wouldn't compare anyway. I better stick to opening one up in the U.S. Thanks for the advice guys! And Alenia, I would buy your book if you were selling it! ;)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/05/2006 - 03:01

Ooh! Fame at last!

kmac1104 continue to enjoy the forum and all things Italian! :)