I apologize for being so long in updating my blog. The winter months were very slow and dreary and I just didn't have a lot of energy. Basically, November till March in Northern Italy is cloudy and rainy and it zaps your desire to do much of anything. Waking up day after day to clouds is downright depressing! I don't know how people in Seattle stand it. Thank goodness for the Spring. The sun has been shining and everything is in bloom. Makes me very thankful to God for the change of season and the awakening of all things new, including my spirit!
With that being said, I've been thinking recently about our time here and I'm just amazed that we've been here almost a year! We arrived on the evening of May 31, 2013, completely exhausted, a little nervous and anxious to see what God had planned for us.
The first night was a blur. I remember going to bed and I think I remember my head hitting the pillow. Other than that the next 12 hours were spent unconscious! The following day a colleague of Mark's and his sweet wife came to our hotel to drive us around and acclimate us a little bit. I remember thinking, "Okay, that's enough. I'm ready to go home now!"
What a ride it's been since then! So far we've been to Milan, Lake Como, Lago Maggiore, Lago D'Orta, Aosta, Pisa, Florence, Venice, Rome, Verona, The Italian Riviera, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and England. Not to mention the trips we have planned with friends and family who will be visiting this year. I'm overwhelmed at the thought of being able to visit so many wonderful places! It's just one of the ways God has blessed us since we came here, but there are so many other blessings...
First off, I can't imagine how tough this would have been without other Americans to support us and show us the ropes. I'm thankful for all of Mark's colleagues and their spouses who have been so nice and generous with their time and advice. It's great to be around other people who understand exactly what you're going through.
Next is the love and support of an amazing church! When we found out we were going to be living here we began praying that God would lead us to other followers. Preferably English speakers but people who really love God and want to live the way He wants them to. Oh my goodness, did He ever deliver! We attend the International Church of Milan, an English speaking church with members from all over the world. Our pastor and his wife are passionate about God and following the Bible and I feel so blessed and privileged to be a part of this great church! As sad as I was to be leaving our home church I am now in awe of God and how He gives you what you need just when you need it!
Then there are all the resources and people that have helped us learn Italian. We have a language teacher who comes to our house once a week and she's been so patient, kind and laid back, even laughing with us when we make our mistakes! I count it as a gift from God that we have a teacher who meshes with our personalities so well. We still have a long way to go but we know enough to get along and we're learning more all the time.
And,I can't count the ways I've been blessed here without including some of the things I've learned about others and about myself. It is impossible to live in another culture without learning something about the people you live among. As in any culture around the world we have met people who are nice and some not so nice. But as a whole we've been treated very well with a lot of people working to accommodate us. Italians are very protective of each other and their culture but for the most part if they know you're trying to fit in and speak their language they're very kind and will try to help you. We've experienced everything from people showing us how to pay at gas stations to people correcting our Italian. I have been very grateful for all these people!
As for what I've learned about myself...well, I don't think I've got time or room for everything so I'll just list a few. The first is patience. Nothing gets done quickly in Italy. Nothing. Really. Nothing! If you're going to live here you may just as well learn to cool your heels! Not that I was an impatient person before but I've learned a whole new definition of it here!
Next, dependence. I have always been a very independent person, so much so that it's sometimes been a prideful thing. I definitely like to do things for myself. Here, I don't have a choice other than to be dependent. Only having one car means I either rely on my husband or others to take me where I need to go, run errands for me or wait until I can get the car so I can go somewhere. For the most part I'm stranded. Not a problem as I have learned to keep very busy at home. I have also learned to savor my solitude and I love having time to paint!
And finally...humility. Maybe it comes from being very independent but I really don't like appearing foolish. I don't know anyone who does, really. Living here or anyplace where the language and culture differ from your own you are going to feel foolish at times. There is no way around it. Some of it may be self-imposed because it's very easy to feel conspicuous when you know very little culture and language. Some of it is not knowing how to do something or say something correctly. We've been embarrassed more than once but we also are much more empathetic towards people who don't quite fit in. It kind of teaches you to look for people who need help.
So when I receive comments from people about how blessed my life is I tend to look at it a little differently than they may mean it. I hope that when people make those comments, they can see more than just the surface. I know I'm not done learning yet and that's both exciting and a little frightening. There are so many things I never expected from this experience and these lessons are just part of it. But I know that whatever else comes my way, good or bad, God is God and he will work things out for my good. And that's the ultimate blessing!
Arrivederci Amici!
Monday, May 12, 2014
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
My First Home Leave...
Recently, I looked up the definition of the word "home". Most dictionaries use terms like "house, apartment, shelter or dwelling place". I also found "any place of residence or refuge" and "a person's native place or own country". But the one I like best is this one: The place in which one's domestic affections are centered.
I was curious about the definition because all through November and the first part of December all I could think about was going "home". I spent the week before I went making lists, doing laundry, cleaning house and packing. Most of all I couldn't wait to see my parents and my kids.
Like a lot of other people I know, I tend to build things up in my mind that the reality can never live up to. I have done this countless times and I'm almost always let down. I'm happy to say that did not happen on this trip. Yes, we had some issues we had to take care of; a plumber had to be called for a problem with the kitchen faucet and an a/c repairman came to fix our compressor. We had doctors appointments and some other necessities to take care of, but being in our house with our family and seeing our friends was all I had hoped it would be. I knew the time would fly by but we did our best to savor every minute we had.
We also got to do a lot of things that are much harder to do in Italy and some that are not possible to do there. We saw 4 of the 5 movies I wanted to see (Mark is the movie lover in our family and would have seen many more than 5 if time had allowed). We ate out at most of our favorite restaurants (as the 4 pounds I gained can attest to), and we shopped in some of our favorite stores (as my 66.5 pound suitcase confirmed).
But as much fun as all of these things were, as I get older I appreciate more and more the time spent with the people I love. My only regret for this trip was that because of time, distance or circumstances we weren't able to see everyone we wanted to see. Sometimes one month just isn't enough.
That's where the definition of "home" comes in. As we neared our time to return to Italy we kept using the phrase, "when we go home." There's part of me that doesn't want to think of Italy as home. It's not where our family is. Yes, we have made friends that live here but the friends I've known for years are still in the States. But the definition: The place in which one's domestic affections are centered, really got me thinking. Right now Italy is that place. My husband, whom I am blessed enough to call my best friend, lives here with me. I have a house with belongings that I either brought with me from America or that I chose especially for the space. I love to cook, paint, read and spend time with my friends here. So yes, this is my home. The place that currently holds my "domestic affections".
Which means I have 3 homes. One in Texas, one in Italy and a future one in Heaven! I am overwhelmed with blessings! What makes all 3 homes so wonderful is I get to share them with people I love. Sometimes it's the people I live with, sometimes it's the people who visit and sometimes it's both. I am very excited to think about the friends and family from the U.S who are coming to visit us in Italy this year. I not only get to spend that time with them but I get to experience some amazing adventures with them! The same thing can be said of the friends we have living here with us.
I'm obviously not as confident living here as I am in the States. Honestly, I doubt I ever will be. I may learn enough of the language to get by but I'm never going to master it. The driving here will always make me nervous. I'm not going to be able to buy everything I want in the stores and some of the cultural differences will always baffle me. But years from now when I look back on living in Italy, it's the people I'm sharing it with and the things I love doing that will make me say, "What a great place that was to call home!"
Arrivederci for now!
I was curious about the definition because all through November and the first part of December all I could think about was going "home". I spent the week before I went making lists, doing laundry, cleaning house and packing. Most of all I couldn't wait to see my parents and my kids.
Like a lot of other people I know, I tend to build things up in my mind that the reality can never live up to. I have done this countless times and I'm almost always let down. I'm happy to say that did not happen on this trip. Yes, we had some issues we had to take care of; a plumber had to be called for a problem with the kitchen faucet and an a/c repairman came to fix our compressor. We had doctors appointments and some other necessities to take care of, but being in our house with our family and seeing our friends was all I had hoped it would be. I knew the time would fly by but we did our best to savor every minute we had.
We also got to do a lot of things that are much harder to do in Italy and some that are not possible to do there. We saw 4 of the 5 movies I wanted to see (Mark is the movie lover in our family and would have seen many more than 5 if time had allowed). We ate out at most of our favorite restaurants (as the 4 pounds I gained can attest to), and we shopped in some of our favorite stores (as my 66.5 pound suitcase confirmed).
But as much fun as all of these things were, as I get older I appreciate more and more the time spent with the people I love. My only regret for this trip was that because of time, distance or circumstances we weren't able to see everyone we wanted to see. Sometimes one month just isn't enough.
That's where the definition of "home" comes in. As we neared our time to return to Italy we kept using the phrase, "when we go home." There's part of me that doesn't want to think of Italy as home. It's not where our family is. Yes, we have made friends that live here but the friends I've known for years are still in the States. But the definition: The place in which one's domestic affections are centered, really got me thinking. Right now Italy is that place. My husband, whom I am blessed enough to call my best friend, lives here with me. I have a house with belongings that I either brought with me from America or that I chose especially for the space. I love to cook, paint, read and spend time with my friends here. So yes, this is my home. The place that currently holds my "domestic affections".
Which means I have 3 homes. One in Texas, one in Italy and a future one in Heaven! I am overwhelmed with blessings! What makes all 3 homes so wonderful is I get to share them with people I love. Sometimes it's the people I live with, sometimes it's the people who visit and sometimes it's both. I am very excited to think about the friends and family from the U.S who are coming to visit us in Italy this year. I not only get to spend that time with them but I get to experience some amazing adventures with them! The same thing can be said of the friends we have living here with us.
I'm obviously not as confident living here as I am in the States. Honestly, I doubt I ever will be. I may learn enough of the language to get by but I'm never going to master it. The driving here will always make me nervous. I'm not going to be able to buy everything I want in the stores and some of the cultural differences will always baffle me. But years from now when I look back on living in Italy, it's the people I'm sharing it with and the things I love doing that will make me say, "What a great place that was to call home!"
Arrivederci for now!
Monday, November 25, 2013
Getting Comfortable...
It's amazing to me how much of anyone's comfort level has to do with knowing language and culture. This is something that had never occurred to me before I moved here. If you've known me for a while you probably know that in my lifetime I've moved a lot...I mean, A LOT!! My dad's job included relocating every few years so I spent my childhood moving from town to town and sometimes house to house within the same town. Then I got married and spent the first 12 years of my marriage moving. Before we settled in Fort Worth the longest I had ever lived anywhere in my life was 6 years. I've been both relieved and blessed to be able to live in Fort Worth, in the same house, for 13 years. More than anything I wanted to give my kids something I never had...a hometown. And (as anyone who has moved can attest to) each move came with stress. For me it was starting new schools, meeting new people and becoming familiar with all the new things around me. But in all that time two things never really changed. The language and the culture around me. I could still walk into any school, store, church or office in my new town and speak, knowing I was going to understand and be understood. I was completely familiar with the process of going pretty much anyplace and getting what I needed.
Fast forward a few years and here I am in Italy. Never before have I felt stress and anxiety in a move like I have this one. I have written in my previous blogs about some of this and it's not like it's a totally new thought but every now and then something will hit me like a ton of bricks. It happened a few weeks ago. Mark and I are taking language lessons on Saturday mornings and like everything else in my life, sometimes they go well and sometimes they make me want to run screaming back to the U.S. I wish I could make my brain be "on" all the time but I have times that I just can't think or recall anything very well. But this particular Saturday I was not only able to recall needed information, I was taking in the new stuff like a sponge soaks up water. The few days that followed were wonderful because I was able to communicate (still limited of course) with people I came in contact with. For the first time since we came here I didn't feel extreme stress just stepping out my front door! That's when it came to me: being familiar with language and culture, especially together, has so much to do with comfort levels.
Let me give you an example using a trip to the grocery store. The shopping carts are locked and attached to the other carts. To get one you need a Euro coin to put into the small lock box in the handle of the cart to unlock it. When you are done with the cart you insert the lock chain back into the lockbox and get your Euro back. I might have figured this out without someone explaining it to me but it wouldn't have been a speedy process. You also need your own shopping bags or you can buy them at the check-out.
In the produce section, you have to put on plastic gloves, bag your items and weigh them to get a price sticker. If you don't know this you can get yelled at in Italian. Of course you have no clue what that person is saying. If you get a nice person they won't yell but you are still clueless. I was blessed to have someone take me to the supermarket for the first time and explain it to me, however the first time I went on my own I forgot about weighing and pricing the item. Fortunately the checker was very nice but it took me forever to figure out what she was saying.
If you want to buy something at the deli counter you first have to know what you are buying. A lot of the meats look the same and if you don't know the differences you can end up with something you don't want. Knowing the language here can come in very handy. Knowing how to ask is important also. Italians don't respond well to anything they perceive as a demand. Plus, you can't ask for anything in ounces or pounds. It's grams here but of course you also need to know the Italian for gram. It's also helpful to know that deli items are sold by the etto which is about 100 grams. So you can ask for un etto, due etti (200 grams) or un etto e mezzo (150 grams). But figuring out what to say is only half the battle. Understanding the responses can also cause the deer in the headlights look...These things also apply to figuring out parking meters, asking directions or just being able to order coffee.
Do you get what I'm saying here? It's no wonder I had never really thought about these things before. I was born into the American culture and English is my first language. Yes, you have differing cultures within America but if you speak English it doesn't take long to figure something out. Never once while living in the U.S. did I ever have to look up and then practice what I wanted to say so I could go to the store ask for cheese.
I've come to realize that knowing the language and understanding the culture is the key to having peace of mind for this type of thing. I wish I could tell you that I've conquered this completely but I can't. I still feel anxious when I'm going someplace and I still get back into the car and breathe a sigh of relief when I'm done. But I'm getting there. My comfort level and my confidence are growing be it ever so slightly. We've been here for almost 6 months and I can definitely tell things are better than they were in the beginning. I'm hoping by the time our 1 year anniversary comes around the correct words and phrases will just roll off my tongue without much thought. Honestly, if I'm never fluent in Italian that'll be okay. I'll just settle for not wanting to crawl into a hole and then pull it in after me!
On that note, I guess I should go "studio il mio Italiano".
Ciao tutti!
Fast forward a few years and here I am in Italy. Never before have I felt stress and anxiety in a move like I have this one. I have written in my previous blogs about some of this and it's not like it's a totally new thought but every now and then something will hit me like a ton of bricks. It happened a few weeks ago. Mark and I are taking language lessons on Saturday mornings and like everything else in my life, sometimes they go well and sometimes they make me want to run screaming back to the U.S. I wish I could make my brain be "on" all the time but I have times that I just can't think or recall anything very well. But this particular Saturday I was not only able to recall needed information, I was taking in the new stuff like a sponge soaks up water. The few days that followed were wonderful because I was able to communicate (still limited of course) with people I came in contact with. For the first time since we came here I didn't feel extreme stress just stepping out my front door! That's when it came to me: being familiar with language and culture, especially together, has so much to do with comfort levels.
Let me give you an example using a trip to the grocery store. The shopping carts are locked and attached to the other carts. To get one you need a Euro coin to put into the small lock box in the handle of the cart to unlock it. When you are done with the cart you insert the lock chain back into the lockbox and get your Euro back. I might have figured this out without someone explaining it to me but it wouldn't have been a speedy process. You also need your own shopping bags or you can buy them at the check-out.
In the produce section, you have to put on plastic gloves, bag your items and weigh them to get a price sticker. If you don't know this you can get yelled at in Italian. Of course you have no clue what that person is saying. If you get a nice person they won't yell but you are still clueless. I was blessed to have someone take me to the supermarket for the first time and explain it to me, however the first time I went on my own I forgot about weighing and pricing the item. Fortunately the checker was very nice but it took me forever to figure out what she was saying.
If you want to buy something at the deli counter you first have to know what you are buying. A lot of the meats look the same and if you don't know the differences you can end up with something you don't want. Knowing the language here can come in very handy. Knowing how to ask is important also. Italians don't respond well to anything they perceive as a demand. Plus, you can't ask for anything in ounces or pounds. It's grams here but of course you also need to know the Italian for gram. It's also helpful to know that deli items are sold by the etto which is about 100 grams. So you can ask for un etto, due etti (200 grams) or un etto e mezzo (150 grams). But figuring out what to say is only half the battle. Understanding the responses can also cause the deer in the headlights look...These things also apply to figuring out parking meters, asking directions or just being able to order coffee.
Do you get what I'm saying here? It's no wonder I had never really thought about these things before. I was born into the American culture and English is my first language. Yes, you have differing cultures within America but if you speak English it doesn't take long to figure something out. Never once while living in the U.S. did I ever have to look up and then practice what I wanted to say so I could go to the store ask for cheese.
I've come to realize that knowing the language and understanding the culture is the key to having peace of mind for this type of thing. I wish I could tell you that I've conquered this completely but I can't. I still feel anxious when I'm going someplace and I still get back into the car and breathe a sigh of relief when I'm done. But I'm getting there. My comfort level and my confidence are growing be it ever so slightly. We've been here for almost 6 months and I can definitely tell things are better than they were in the beginning. I'm hoping by the time our 1 year anniversary comes around the correct words and phrases will just roll off my tongue without much thought. Honestly, if I'm never fluent in Italian that'll be okay. I'll just settle for not wanting to crawl into a hole and then pull it in after me!
On that note, I guess I should go "studio il mio Italiano".
Ciao tutti!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Learning Lessons...
Anyone who's known me for more than 5 minutes can probably tell you that God is the deciding factor in everything I do. (At least I hope this is how people see me, otherwise I am doing something wrong.) I do my best to seek God's guidance in my life and in all things both big and small. Am I perfect? Far from it but I do believe that God cares about all aspects of my life and will guide me through any place or situation I find myself in...if I let Him.
So why am I here? Why do I find myself 5000 miles away from everything I have ever known and most of the people I car about? A place that while it is very beautiful is also frustrating and confusing to me quite often. I have asked myself this question many times since this adventure began and do you know what the answer is? I have no idea!
Well, maybe I have some ideas...
It is obvious to me that God put me here for a reason (or reasons) that right now, only He knows. Will all of those reasons ever be revealed to me? Maybe... maybe not. One of the cool things about the way God works is that He knows what His plan is and can work out things in our lives without us ever knowing how or why. But I also think He reveals the things He needs us to know. Things that teach us about ourselves and help us discover who God is.
This new situation, the new environment, culture and the people that are being placed in my path are all teachable things if my eyes, ears and heart are open to it. I was recently speaking to a friend in the same position I'm in and she said, "I've never been so homebound in my life." Wow, can I ever relate to that! I'm so used to having my independence and a car to go along with it. Here, we can only afford one car and Mark has it most of the time. Oh, once in a while he gets a ride to work and leaves the car for me and I relish those days! But what if I could learn to relish the days I have at home too? After years of having kids, schools, errands, commitments, appointments and responsibilities pull me in a thousand different directions, I suddenly find myself in a quiet house. Yes, I still have responsibilities, things that need to be done, but I also have days that I don't have much to do. That could drive me crazy if I'd let it. But what if, instead of bemoaning the fact that I have no place to go and no way to get there, I stopped and listened to the silence? Looked out the window and saw the beautiful sky, trees and flowers and thanked God for his creation? Enjoyed the time I have to paint or experiment with new recipes? Not only doing the things that for years, I complained about not having the time to do, but just sat still and let God speak to my heart? What kind of difference would that make?
I am convinced that God is always speaking to us. Trying to draw us in to know Him intimately. The problem is that we're usually so busy, running at a breakneck speed, trying to accomplish everything on our "to do" lists that we don't hear Him when he speaks. For the first time in recent memory, I am in a position to really listen.
Honestly, this is not an aspect of our time here that I sought or expected. I agreed to live here thinking about all the cool trips we could take and wonderful things we could see. I love how God takes my tiny little plans and turns them into something amazing!
Mark and I have a group of friends from our church that we get together with a couple of times a week for Bible studies. Very recently, our minister's wife brought a DVD to watch with the ladies that was all about this very thing. Being still and listening to God. I don't think it was a coincidence that this subject has come up just as I find myself in this situation. God is using the time I have to get my attention. Like a lot of people I know I've spent years going to church, helping with various ministries, going to Bible studies and "church" activities but somehow I've missed the intimate relationship that God wants with me. He has stripped away all my excuses and given me the time I have always longed for so that I can get to know Him. What an awesome God we have! My "independence" is exactly what I needed to be taken from me. Who would have thought I would be brought to Italy to experience who God is?
So, is this the only reason I'm here? Probably not. I don't even need to know all the reasons. All I need to know is that God loves me and wants me to know Him. And now I have the time to do it. To really seek Him and praise Him for who He is. What more could I ask for?
Psalm 46:10...He says, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth".
Arrivederci!
So why am I here? Why do I find myself 5000 miles away from everything I have ever known and most of the people I car about? A place that while it is very beautiful is also frustrating and confusing to me quite often. I have asked myself this question many times since this adventure began and do you know what the answer is? I have no idea!
Well, maybe I have some ideas...
It is obvious to me that God put me here for a reason (or reasons) that right now, only He knows. Will all of those reasons ever be revealed to me? Maybe... maybe not. One of the cool things about the way God works is that He knows what His plan is and can work out things in our lives without us ever knowing how or why. But I also think He reveals the things He needs us to know. Things that teach us about ourselves and help us discover who God is.
This new situation, the new environment, culture and the people that are being placed in my path are all teachable things if my eyes, ears and heart are open to it. I was recently speaking to a friend in the same position I'm in and she said, "I've never been so homebound in my life." Wow, can I ever relate to that! I'm so used to having my independence and a car to go along with it. Here, we can only afford one car and Mark has it most of the time. Oh, once in a while he gets a ride to work and leaves the car for me and I relish those days! But what if I could learn to relish the days I have at home too? After years of having kids, schools, errands, commitments, appointments and responsibilities pull me in a thousand different directions, I suddenly find myself in a quiet house. Yes, I still have responsibilities, things that need to be done, but I also have days that I don't have much to do. That could drive me crazy if I'd let it. But what if, instead of bemoaning the fact that I have no place to go and no way to get there, I stopped and listened to the silence? Looked out the window and saw the beautiful sky, trees and flowers and thanked God for his creation? Enjoyed the time I have to paint or experiment with new recipes? Not only doing the things that for years, I complained about not having the time to do, but just sat still and let God speak to my heart? What kind of difference would that make?
I am convinced that God is always speaking to us. Trying to draw us in to know Him intimately. The problem is that we're usually so busy, running at a breakneck speed, trying to accomplish everything on our "to do" lists that we don't hear Him when he speaks. For the first time in recent memory, I am in a position to really listen.
Honestly, this is not an aspect of our time here that I sought or expected. I agreed to live here thinking about all the cool trips we could take and wonderful things we could see. I love how God takes my tiny little plans and turns them into something amazing!
Mark and I have a group of friends from our church that we get together with a couple of times a week for Bible studies. Very recently, our minister's wife brought a DVD to watch with the ladies that was all about this very thing. Being still and listening to God. I don't think it was a coincidence that this subject has come up just as I find myself in this situation. God is using the time I have to get my attention. Like a lot of people I know I've spent years going to church, helping with various ministries, going to Bible studies and "church" activities but somehow I've missed the intimate relationship that God wants with me. He has stripped away all my excuses and given me the time I have always longed for so that I can get to know Him. What an awesome God we have! My "independence" is exactly what I needed to be taken from me. Who would have thought I would be brought to Italy to experience who God is?
So, is this the only reason I'm here? Probably not. I don't even need to know all the reasons. All I need to know is that God loves me and wants me to know Him. And now I have the time to do it. To really seek Him and praise Him for who He is. What more could I ask for?
Psalm 46:10...He says, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth".
Arrivederci!
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
ZIP-ZORP...
I know. Zip-Zorp is a strange title. I'll explain it as best I can.
I guess living anywhere that you're not accustomed to the culture, things are going to seem a bit odd to you. Keep in mind that I have never lived outside of the U.S. before, so things might be a little more strange to me than they would someone who's done the international thing before. At any rate, I find myself constantly shaking my head and asking, "What's up with that?"
Just days after we moved here Mark and I were trying to figure out how a particular cafeteria style restaurant worked. People were getting their trays but there was no rhyme or reason to getting their food. There was no line to speak of, people just seemed to be crowding around certain areas. There were some self-serve spots and others where you had to go order, and a lot of the food did not look familiar. Keep in mind neither of us understood much Italian so reading the menu did very little to help. For all we knew we were ordering boiled squid with chocolate sauce! Also, we didn't know simple phrases like, "Can I have..." or "I would like..."in Italian. It was just another confusing experience and we were already unsure of ourselves. Finally Mark said, "It's like being in a Dr. Seuss book. You walk into a room and all these strange characters are hopping on one foot yelling Zip-Zorp, Zip Zorp! You don't know IF you should join in, HOW to join in or even if you're hopping on the correct foot." I love my husband's sense of humor! Ever since that conversation when something doesn't make sense one of us will say, "Zip-Zorp!"
For instance:
There are SO many people here who drive with their arm hanging all the way out the window. Not just a few people. It's like if you're Italian, that's what you do. Zip-Zorp.
The lines painted on roadways are merely suggestions here. People weave in and out of their lanes and drive ON the lines like it's necessary to driving. It's like the answer to the question "Which lane do you want?" is YES! Not just a few people, we see it all the time! Zip-Zorp.
Do you want to have someone come to your house to perform a service? Maybe they'll come, maybe they won't. Zip-Zorp.
Going to the store? Will it be open when you get there? Maybe. Maybe not. Zip-Zorp.
Looking for artwork for your home? Do you like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson? Well then you're in luck because Italians are obsessed with dead celebrities! You don't just find them in artwork but in clothing and textiles as well. Zip-Zorp.
These are just a few examples of things we encounter frequently. In my previous blogs I've mentioned crazy parking lots, "hidden" malls and the insane rules for obtaining a driver's license. There are other anomalies I just don't get. A good example of this is that nothing, and I mean NOTHING is ever torn down from what I can tell. I fully understand the historical importance of some of these ancient structures but it is totally out of my realm of comprehension why anybody would leave an old,
rusted- out car wash still standing. Everywhere you go there are buildings that are falling down with caved in roofs and foliage growing out of every opening. If someone wants to build something new they just move over from the old, falling apart building and put up a new one. It's a very bizarre mixture of old and new.
And while I get that the economy here is bad, I don't understand places that have long since gone out of business leaving their signs up like everything is still in place. We've gone to more than one place that turned out to be a deserted waste land...Zip-Zorp.
I'm sure given enough time I'm going to learn to deal with the absurdity of it all. It's been difficult for me because at heart I'm an optimist but I think having no expectations and a laid-back attitude is the key to all this. If I can work on that I'll be okay.
In the mean time I'll just roll down my car window, hang my arm out and drive on the lines to a store that won't be open when I get there...Zip-Zorp.
Until next time,
Arrivederci!
I guess living anywhere that you're not accustomed to the culture, things are going to seem a bit odd to you. Keep in mind that I have never lived outside of the U.S. before, so things might be a little more strange to me than they would someone who's done the international thing before. At any rate, I find myself constantly shaking my head and asking, "What's up with that?"
Just days after we moved here Mark and I were trying to figure out how a particular cafeteria style restaurant worked. People were getting their trays but there was no rhyme or reason to getting their food. There was no line to speak of, people just seemed to be crowding around certain areas. There were some self-serve spots and others where you had to go order, and a lot of the food did not look familiar. Keep in mind neither of us understood much Italian so reading the menu did very little to help. For all we knew we were ordering boiled squid with chocolate sauce! Also, we didn't know simple phrases like, "Can I have..." or "I would like..."in Italian. It was just another confusing experience and we were already unsure of ourselves. Finally Mark said, "It's like being in a Dr. Seuss book. You walk into a room and all these strange characters are hopping on one foot yelling Zip-Zorp, Zip Zorp! You don't know IF you should join in, HOW to join in or even if you're hopping on the correct foot." I love my husband's sense of humor! Ever since that conversation when something doesn't make sense one of us will say, "Zip-Zorp!"
For instance:
There are SO many people here who drive with their arm hanging all the way out the window. Not just a few people. It's like if you're Italian, that's what you do. Zip-Zorp.
The lines painted on roadways are merely suggestions here. People weave in and out of their lanes and drive ON the lines like it's necessary to driving. It's like the answer to the question "Which lane do you want?" is YES! Not just a few people, we see it all the time! Zip-Zorp.
Do you want to have someone come to your house to perform a service? Maybe they'll come, maybe they won't. Zip-Zorp.
Going to the store? Will it be open when you get there? Maybe. Maybe not. Zip-Zorp.
Looking for artwork for your home? Do you like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson? Well then you're in luck because Italians are obsessed with dead celebrities! You don't just find them in artwork but in clothing and textiles as well. Zip-Zorp.
These are just a few examples of things we encounter frequently. In my previous blogs I've mentioned crazy parking lots, "hidden" malls and the insane rules for obtaining a driver's license. There are other anomalies I just don't get. A good example of this is that nothing, and I mean NOTHING is ever torn down from what I can tell. I fully understand the historical importance of some of these ancient structures but it is totally out of my realm of comprehension why anybody would leave an old,
rusted- out car wash still standing. Everywhere you go there are buildings that are falling down with caved in roofs and foliage growing out of every opening. If someone wants to build something new they just move over from the old, falling apart building and put up a new one. It's a very bizarre mixture of old and new.
And while I get that the economy here is bad, I don't understand places that have long since gone out of business leaving their signs up like everything is still in place. We've gone to more than one place that turned out to be a deserted waste land...Zip-Zorp.
I'm sure given enough time I'm going to learn to deal with the absurdity of it all. It's been difficult for me because at heart I'm an optimist but I think having no expectations and a laid-back attitude is the key to all this. If I can work on that I'll be okay.
In the mean time I'll just roll down my car window, hang my arm out and drive on the lines to a store that won't be open when I get there...Zip-Zorp.
Until next time,
Arrivederci!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
My SWISS adventure...
One of the advantages of living in Northern Italy is the travel opportunities we have. I've really enjoyed the few brief trips we've taken and last week we had the pleasure of going to Switzerland. Now, anyone who knows me well is aware that I'm not much of an outdoor girl but I have a special place in my heart for mountains. I spent much of my childhood in New Mexico and Colorado and as an adult I've spent time in the Smokey Mountains but nothing I've ever seen can compare to the spectacular mountains and valleys of Switzerland! It is an amazing place where God's glory is present in the snow capped peaks, the trees, flowers, waterfalls and the peaceful, green valleys.
Italy has it's own beauty. The Alps are visible from Italy and they are lovely but driving over the Swiss border you are transported into some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. I think our eyes and our "Wow's" got bigger around each curve and over every hill! I am blessed to be married to a man who understands my need to photograph such beauty and he obliged me by pulling over every 5 minutes. Interesting thing is, according to friends who have gone several times we didn't even take the most scenic route! I'm anxious to one day go back and take it.
One of the most unique experiences we had was taking driving onto a ferry train to take us through a long tunnel. The trip took about 15 minutes and was in total darkness. I'm just a little bit claustrophobic so the light at the end of that tunnel sure looked good!
Our first stop was the small, Alpine village of Gimmelwald. There is a hostel, a bed and breakfast and two small hotels there. The hotel we stayed in was very old and the rooms were tiny. With toilets and showers down the hall, it was one step above a hostel. The rest of the village is made up of quaint log cabins, farms complete with sheep, goats and cows, each wearing bells around their necks, all surrounded by breath-taking mountains and lush green valleys. It is a quiet, peaceful place that is only accessible by a gondola that goes up the mountain from the village of Stechelberg. One of my favorite activities was taking a morning walk in the cool, crisp air and listening to the music of the bells worn by all the farm animals. The next village up from there is called Murren and it has some wonderful hotels, restaurants and shops where we bought our Swiss cuckoo clock! (Mark has wanted one for years.)
We also took the opportunity to go paragliding! Mark brought up the idea to me before we went and my first response was, "No way!" Then, after we got there, I watched the paragliders and it looked like fun. In the end it was me who talked Mark into it! I think he wasn't so sure about the whole thing but then I told him he could just watch me do it. His response to that was, "No way are you doing it without me!" The result was the most exhilarating experience of my life! We took off from the hills above Murren at about 9000 feet and glided next to cliffs, waterfalls and over the valley of Stechelberg for about 15 - 20 minutes. I'm not altogether sure I would do it again, but I will never regret having done it the fist time! There is more to do in these villages and we're definitely going back. I may have just found my favorite place on earth.
The next leg of our journey took us to Luzern (Lucerne if you're not from Switzerland). It is a large, bustling city but it's old town is so charming and full of history. It has two beautiful old wooden bridges, built in the 14th century, that span the river (although one of them burned in 1993 and was rebuilt). Lake Luzern is huge and surrounded my mountains and almost everywhere you look there are swans (reportedly a gift from Louis XIV.) One of the restaurants we dined in is 400 years old and served wonderful German food. There are a ton of museums and churches and we didn't get to stay long enough to see everything but we did enjoy our visit there. Luzern may be on our list of places to go back to one day.
We still have many trips to take and many countries to see before this adventure ends but I think I will always have a special place in my heart for Switzerland. I thank God for allowing me to experience something so wonderful!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Flying high over Switzerland...
On the drive up from Italy...
And...
The ferry train...
Gimmelwald...
One of our "musical" goats...
A beautiful little village on the drive to Luzern...
One of the wooden bridges...
Some of the many swans...
The Jesuit Church...
Italy has it's own beauty. The Alps are visible from Italy and they are lovely but driving over the Swiss border you are transported into some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. I think our eyes and our "Wow's" got bigger around each curve and over every hill! I am blessed to be married to a man who understands my need to photograph such beauty and he obliged me by pulling over every 5 minutes. Interesting thing is, according to friends who have gone several times we didn't even take the most scenic route! I'm anxious to one day go back and take it.
One of the most unique experiences we had was taking driving onto a ferry train to take us through a long tunnel. The trip took about 15 minutes and was in total darkness. I'm just a little bit claustrophobic so the light at the end of that tunnel sure looked good!
Our first stop was the small, Alpine village of Gimmelwald. There is a hostel, a bed and breakfast and two small hotels there. The hotel we stayed in was very old and the rooms were tiny. With toilets and showers down the hall, it was one step above a hostel. The rest of the village is made up of quaint log cabins, farms complete with sheep, goats and cows, each wearing bells around their necks, all surrounded by breath-taking mountains and lush green valleys. It is a quiet, peaceful place that is only accessible by a gondola that goes up the mountain from the village of Stechelberg. One of my favorite activities was taking a morning walk in the cool, crisp air and listening to the music of the bells worn by all the farm animals. The next village up from there is called Murren and it has some wonderful hotels, restaurants and shops where we bought our Swiss cuckoo clock! (Mark has wanted one for years.)
We also took the opportunity to go paragliding! Mark brought up the idea to me before we went and my first response was, "No way!" Then, after we got there, I watched the paragliders and it looked like fun. In the end it was me who talked Mark into it! I think he wasn't so sure about the whole thing but then I told him he could just watch me do it. His response to that was, "No way are you doing it without me!" The result was the most exhilarating experience of my life! We took off from the hills above Murren at about 9000 feet and glided next to cliffs, waterfalls and over the valley of Stechelberg for about 15 - 20 minutes. I'm not altogether sure I would do it again, but I will never regret having done it the fist time! There is more to do in these villages and we're definitely going back. I may have just found my favorite place on earth.
The next leg of our journey took us to Luzern (Lucerne if you're not from Switzerland). It is a large, bustling city but it's old town is so charming and full of history. It has two beautiful old wooden bridges, built in the 14th century, that span the river (although one of them burned in 1993 and was rebuilt). Lake Luzern is huge and surrounded my mountains and almost everywhere you look there are swans (reportedly a gift from Louis XIV.) One of the restaurants we dined in is 400 years old and served wonderful German food. There are a ton of museums and churches and we didn't get to stay long enough to see everything but we did enjoy our visit there. Luzern may be on our list of places to go back to one day.
We still have many trips to take and many countries to see before this adventure ends but I think I will always have a special place in my heart for Switzerland. I thank God for allowing me to experience something so wonderful!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Flying high over Switzerland...
On the drive up from Italy...
The ferry train...
Gimmelwald...
One of our "musical" goats...
A beautiful little village on the drive to Luzern...
One of the wooden bridges...
Some of the many swans...
The Jesuit Church...
Monday, July 22, 2013
Some of our travels...
This is why we came to Italy...
I love some of the day trips we've taken. We decided not to take any trips that required an over-night stay until we get out of the hotel. It just doesn't make sense to leave one hotel (that's already paid for) to stay in another so all of our trips have been one day excursions. The nice thing about our location is that we live very near some really nice places. Since I've already posted about our trips into Milan and Pisa I'll talk about our most recent visits.
I'll start with Verona, not because it was the most recent but because honestly, it was my least favorite so far and I feel like I've already used this blog to complain too much. I'd rather end this one on a high note! Some will recognize the name as the setting for "Two Gentlemen of Verona" and "Romeo and Juliet". It's possible that at one time it was a very beautiful and romantic place and maybe that's what inspired Shakespeare but honestly, as a modern city I wasn't very impressed. Maybe because they've modernized it a little too much. There were some interesting sites there. Among them a colosseum that is still standing and is still used for performances. The problem is since they use it today, they've converted it into a modern day stadium complete with rows of theater type seats. The only parts that even look ancient are the outside (if you can look past the banners and lights) and the very top. I was completely disappointed.
There were some areas of the city they've left alone, an ancient wall and some statues but with so many merchants (mostly peddling "Romeo and Juliet" souvenirs) it's hard to see the town square that still has marble streets and an ancient fountain.
It wasn't all a complete loss. We did visit a church and a duomo that were almost stunning in their beauty. It's funny to walk up to an almost non-descript, plain looking church only to have your breath taken away by the incredible detail of the inside. I've heard that the reason for this is that the Catholic church wanted the poor people in these communities to have a place to worship that gave them a glimpse into Heaven. Most of the interiors of these churches have marble floors and columns and some of the most exquisite paintings I have ever seen! I'm thankful that most of them allow photography so I can revisit them. The churches are what made the trip worth it.
Then there were the visits to Lake Como...
Oh my! Talk about beauty! We've actually been twice because there is a lot to do there but I'm sure we will be going back. It's just north of Milan so it's a very close trip for us. During the summer months it's pretty packed with tourists so we've found it best to take the train since there's very little space to park a car. Even with the tourists it's one of the most peaceful, picturesque places I've ever been. The lake itself is glacier fed so it's always cold and fairly clear in the shallow ends. It also doesn't have that fishy, lake smell that I'm so used to.
The villages surrounding the lake are all quaint and so interesting to walk around. They have been there for centuries and all of them have cobblestone streets and beautiful little churches. They are built into the sides of the mountains so there are a lot of steps and steep hills to climb, reminding me just how out of shape I am! There are a few large villas with lush gardens and views of the mountains and lake. We visited two, Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello, both built at the end of the 17th century. Villa Carlotta is a huge estate type home with some of the most incredible gardens I have ever seen. It was so big we didn't even have time to see all of it. Just walking through the flowers with the heat of the sun warming the blossoms makes for an incredible sensation not only for the eyes but for the nose as well! There were trees of just about every type, amazing arbors with grapes and lemons growing overhead and I can't even count the variety of flowers. I may have to go back just to see the rest of the garden.
Villa Balbianello is more sprawling than Carlotta with it's own chapel and a shaded, flower-laced terrace overlooking the lake. The terrace is where they filmed the wedding scene of Star Wars, Episode 2 and they used the estate and grounds to film Casino Royale. I probably went overboard with the pictures but with all the statues, trees and flowers with the lake and mountains in the background I couldn't help myself.
Lake Como is so big we still haven't seen all of it and I'm not sure we'll ever have the time to. It's one of those places that you dream about long after you've left and it's one memory I'll cherish forever.
I'm sure once we get moved into our house we'll be taking a lot more trips. We're planning one to Switzerland in August since Mark has several days off then. I keep hearing how beautiful it is there so expect to see more blogs and pictures in the future.
Once again I'm reminded of just how blessed I am to be able to have and share this opportunity. I hope that people don't get sick of hearing that from me but I'm convinced that God lead us here. I have had my frustrations with this place but I'm doing my best to focus on the positive things. I'm here with my best friend, every day we find something new to laugh about, and we've met some really great people, most of whom are happy to talk to us (even with our broken Italian and their broken English). I am being cared for, clothed, fed and sheltered so really, what is there to complain about? I'm thankful for each new experience, even the ones that don't seem positive at the time.
Speaking of new experiences...we're supposed to be moving into our house in about a week and a half. I'm getting quite anxious about it and will post a new blog and pictures when it happens. In the mean time I covet your prayers for the process to go smoothly. Thank you again to everyone who takes the time to read the thoughts that come out of my mostly-functioning brain! I miss all my family and friends so much but knowing I can share my experiences brings me a lot of comfort!
Love to you all,
Ciao!
The top of the colosseum in
Verona.
One of the many beautiful ceilings in the church.
A beautiful piece of art in the ceiling in the duomo.
Villa Carlotta
one small section of the garden.
One of the lovely views from the house.
The terrace at Villa Balbianello.
More of the terrace...and Mark!
Varenna, (not to be confused with Verona) a small fishing village
on Lake Como.
Just another gorgeous view!
I love some of the day trips we've taken. We decided not to take any trips that required an over-night stay until we get out of the hotel. It just doesn't make sense to leave one hotel (that's already paid for) to stay in another so all of our trips have been one day excursions. The nice thing about our location is that we live very near some really nice places. Since I've already posted about our trips into Milan and Pisa I'll talk about our most recent visits.
I'll start with Verona, not because it was the most recent but because honestly, it was my least favorite so far and I feel like I've already used this blog to complain too much. I'd rather end this one on a high note! Some will recognize the name as the setting for "Two Gentlemen of Verona" and "Romeo and Juliet". It's possible that at one time it was a very beautiful and romantic place and maybe that's what inspired Shakespeare but honestly, as a modern city I wasn't very impressed. Maybe because they've modernized it a little too much. There were some interesting sites there. Among them a colosseum that is still standing and is still used for performances. The problem is since they use it today, they've converted it into a modern day stadium complete with rows of theater type seats. The only parts that even look ancient are the outside (if you can look past the banners and lights) and the very top. I was completely disappointed.
There were some areas of the city they've left alone, an ancient wall and some statues but with so many merchants (mostly peddling "Romeo and Juliet" souvenirs) it's hard to see the town square that still has marble streets and an ancient fountain.
It wasn't all a complete loss. We did visit a church and a duomo that were almost stunning in their beauty. It's funny to walk up to an almost non-descript, plain looking church only to have your breath taken away by the incredible detail of the inside. I've heard that the reason for this is that the Catholic church wanted the poor people in these communities to have a place to worship that gave them a glimpse into Heaven. Most of the interiors of these churches have marble floors and columns and some of the most exquisite paintings I have ever seen! I'm thankful that most of them allow photography so I can revisit them. The churches are what made the trip worth it.
Then there were the visits to Lake Como...
Oh my! Talk about beauty! We've actually been twice because there is a lot to do there but I'm sure we will be going back. It's just north of Milan so it's a very close trip for us. During the summer months it's pretty packed with tourists so we've found it best to take the train since there's very little space to park a car. Even with the tourists it's one of the most peaceful, picturesque places I've ever been. The lake itself is glacier fed so it's always cold and fairly clear in the shallow ends. It also doesn't have that fishy, lake smell that I'm so used to.
The villages surrounding the lake are all quaint and so interesting to walk around. They have been there for centuries and all of them have cobblestone streets and beautiful little churches. They are built into the sides of the mountains so there are a lot of steps and steep hills to climb, reminding me just how out of shape I am! There are a few large villas with lush gardens and views of the mountains and lake. We visited two, Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello, both built at the end of the 17th century. Villa Carlotta is a huge estate type home with some of the most incredible gardens I have ever seen. It was so big we didn't even have time to see all of it. Just walking through the flowers with the heat of the sun warming the blossoms makes for an incredible sensation not only for the eyes but for the nose as well! There were trees of just about every type, amazing arbors with grapes and lemons growing overhead and I can't even count the variety of flowers. I may have to go back just to see the rest of the garden.
Villa Balbianello is more sprawling than Carlotta with it's own chapel and a shaded, flower-laced terrace overlooking the lake. The terrace is where they filmed the wedding scene of Star Wars, Episode 2 and they used the estate and grounds to film Casino Royale. I probably went overboard with the pictures but with all the statues, trees and flowers with the lake and mountains in the background I couldn't help myself.
Lake Como is so big we still haven't seen all of it and I'm not sure we'll ever have the time to. It's one of those places that you dream about long after you've left and it's one memory I'll cherish forever.
I'm sure once we get moved into our house we'll be taking a lot more trips. We're planning one to Switzerland in August since Mark has several days off then. I keep hearing how beautiful it is there so expect to see more blogs and pictures in the future.
Once again I'm reminded of just how blessed I am to be able to have and share this opportunity. I hope that people don't get sick of hearing that from me but I'm convinced that God lead us here. I have had my frustrations with this place but I'm doing my best to focus on the positive things. I'm here with my best friend, every day we find something new to laugh about, and we've met some really great people, most of whom are happy to talk to us (even with our broken Italian and their broken English). I am being cared for, clothed, fed and sheltered so really, what is there to complain about? I'm thankful for each new experience, even the ones that don't seem positive at the time.
Speaking of new experiences...we're supposed to be moving into our house in about a week and a half. I'm getting quite anxious about it and will post a new blog and pictures when it happens. In the mean time I covet your prayers for the process to go smoothly. Thank you again to everyone who takes the time to read the thoughts that come out of my mostly-functioning brain! I miss all my family and friends so much but knowing I can share my experiences brings me a lot of comfort!
Love to you all,
Ciao!
The top of the colosseum in
Verona.
One of the many beautiful ceilings in the church.
A beautiful piece of art in the ceiling in the duomo.
Villa Carlotta
one small section of the garden.
One of the lovely views from the house.
The terrace at Villa Balbianello.
More of the terrace...and Mark!
Varenna, (not to be confused with Verona) a small fishing village
on Lake Como.
Just another gorgeous view!
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