Posts Tagged ‘Expats in Italy’

After two weeks of accepting posts, nominations and submissions, the first annual Blogging From the Boot contest is closed for entries. Judges worked all weekend narrowing down the entries, breaking ties and notifying finalists.

And now it is up to you.

The three finalists from each category are listed below, along with links to their respective blogs and posts. Take your time, read through the posts and click the “VOTE” link below each section to cast your vote for that category.

So grab a glass of wine, sit back, relax and read the Blogging From the Boot … for these are the best of 2009 … .

Mamma Mia: Parenting Stories

1. Merry-Go-Not

Published on Lost in Sicilia by Karen

Light-flashing, pop music-blasting merry-go-rounds with none of the charm of the ‘traditional’ rides I remember fondly from my childhood can be found all over the Catania area, conveniently placed in just the spot where your little one will be sure to not miss it. Well, my negative take on these eye sores has slowly developed into tolerant acceptance, but I have never purposely sought one out to this day. Post continues here.

2. Eggs and So Much More

Published on Dim Sum, Bagels, and Crawfish by Lucia

The day after my post about searching for an Italian preschool I did what I should have done at the start of my search. I finally went to visit the Sicilian family that Karen, Kari, and Coleen told me about before we even arrived in Sicily. As we drove down the country lane to their house we were transported to an Italian oasis of fig, olive, and orange trees and warmly welcomed with hugs and kisses by a pair of Sicilian grandparents. Post continues here.

3. Breastfeeding in Italy

Published on Kataroma by Kataroma

OK I admit it I’ve spent much of my maternity leave becoming addicted to reality TV. As I wrote a few weeks ago I’ve become a huge Trinny and Susannah fan (from What Not to Wear) but having a kid and all I’ve also watched a bit of Supernanny – both the American and Italian (SOS Tata) versions. The American and Italian versions of Supernanny are pretty similar. Post continues here.

Mamma Mia: Cast Your Vote Here

***

That’s Amore: Love and Romance

1. Thoughts on Love

Published on Spaghetti al Pomodoro by Amare Divino

A small lifetime has happened in the span of this month. I celebrated my 26th birthday among friends, meeting new people and basking in the glory of sushi and books during the day. I have been immersed in contented happiness and occasional fearful sadness. The passage of time, the inability to change the course of nature. Longing to express myself, and fear of where that will take me. Post continues here.

2. Wedding Reception

Published on American and Italian, Family Living in Italy, With Children by John

After 15 years together they decided to get married so it was not a conventional wedding or reception, but great fun and food at an agriturismo. Post continues here.

3. The Motorcycle Diary

Published on Driving Like a Maniac by Katja

Strangely, with George gone, things begin to get better. Alex comes out of his shell, and we discover that we have a shared sense of humour. I am still homesick, but it’s not quite so overwhelming. Sadness does have a season, and mine, at this point, begins to pass. Post continues here.

That’s Amore: Cast Your Vote Here

***

Paparazzi: Expat Photography

1. Pathway of the Gods

Published on Bell’Avventura by Scintilla

Click here to view photo(s).

2. The Valley of the Temples

Published on Dim Sum, Bagels, and Crawfish by Lucia

Click here to view photo(s).

3. Catania Fish Market

Published on Dim Sum, Bagels, and Crawfish by Lucia

Click here to view photo(s).

Paparazzi: Cast Your Vote Here

***

Eccomi: Arrivals in 2009

1. Christmas Chaos

Published on The IT Man Cometh by Sam

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! (corny I know, but it had to be done).

One problem with living abroad is that you cannot easily avoid travelling at one of the worst times of the year – Christmas (that is if you want to spend it with your family). Not only is it busy, but the weather (in northern Europe) is often a problem and it’s ridiculously expensive to boot! Post continues here.

2. Except for This

Published on Dim Sum, Bagels, and Crawfish by Lucia

So here’s a little addendum to my glowing post earlier this morning about loving country life…except for: the infestation of bugs in my house. I grew up in the country. I don’t have any fears of bugs (despite my history of being bitten by a brown recluse spider and an allergy to bees). Post continues here.

3. On Banking and Stalkers

Published on Driving Like a Maniac by Katja

It is a little over a month after my arrival in Italy. I am in my classroom, planning three lessons for later in the day. I’m not getting all that far, as I keep being interrupted by my special needs stalker, Francesco. He latched onto me a few days previously, as I went into reception to photocopy materials, and hasn’t left me alone since. Post continues here.

Eccomi: Cast Your Vote Here

***

Mangia: Food and Recipes

1. Fine Feathered Friends: Thanksgiving in Italy

Published on Burnt by the Tuscan Sun by Francesca

Spending time in the USA during my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, well, makes me think about all those wonderful Thanksgiving Days celebrated by all us ‘expats’ in our adopted country. In much the same way that Italy (and Europe, for that matter) have adopted Halloween as their own, well, in industrious Milan, even the store owners readied when Thanksgiving was around the corner; stocking their shelves with many items that ordinary Italians would probably have fed to their pigs if they had them. Post continues here.

2. Ten Reasons Why Italians are Thinner

Published on When In Rome Tours by Danielle

Some of the most common remarks I hear from tourists visiting Rome are “You never see any fat Italians! How come Italians are so thin when all they eat is pasta and pizza? Though it may seem as though the Italian diet is a carbaholic’s dream, there really is much more to it than that. Here are ten reasons why the Italian diet is among the healthiest in the world. First things first: Breakfast. Post continues here.

3. Woman Cannot Live on Pasta Alone

Published on Driving Like a Maniac by Katja

When I told people that I was moving to southern Italy, usually the response was something along the lines of, ‘oh, the food’s WONDERFUL there!’ This would closely be followed by something about endless sunshine. The sunshine bit is holding up pretty well today – it’s nearly 4pm on a late-November afternoon and my flatmates and I all have clothes hung out on the balcony to dry, and most of the doors and windows are open. On the food front, however, I’m a little disappointed. Post continues here.

Mangia: Cast Your Vote Here

***

Buon Viaggio: Living and Traveling in Italy

1. My Big Fat Italian Honeymoon

Published on When In Rome Tours by Danielle

Like most weddings, ours took a lot of planning. We were both expats living in Italy, so no matter where we got married there was bound to be some traveling involved for our guests. We decided to keep our wedding on the small side and invited about 50 people to an intimate ceremony just outside Rome on the Lago Albano. A wedding right in Rome would have been wonderful, but the thought of 50 of our friends and relatives let loose in this city was a bit more than I could bear. If no one was robbed, lost, or involved in some other kind of disaster while sightseeing in Rome, it would have been a miracle. Post continues here.

2. Roman Holiday

Published on Driving Like a Maniac by Katja

Total spend of somewhere around 300 euros, seriously aching, blistered feet, nearly 20 hours on long distance coaches, and some really dreadful photographs. So was my trip to Rome worth it? Hell, yeah! My weekend starts in a dark, rainy coach park. The coach is scheduled to arrive at 8.20pm, which it duly does. It doesn’t say Roma on the front, though, which confuses me. Post continues here.

3. Every Sunday Evening

Published on Ciao Amalfi! by Laura

Every Sunday evening during the warm weather months, of which there are many, the old men near where I live play bocce. This game is played all over Italy, but here it is a local ritual that takes place only on Sunday evenings. The familiar clicking sound of the balls and the voices from afar have become a weekly ritual all its own for me. These sounds reach me at a different moment every Sunday, sometimes watering the garden, sometimes reading, sometimes preparing dinner. But no matter what I’m doing it marks a passage of time, that another week is coming to an end and a new one is about to begin. Post continues here.

Buon Viaggio: Cast Your Vote Here

***

Italianissimo: Only in Italy

1. Going Postal

Published on An Expatriate in Rapallo by Fern

Our postman was kind of grumpy and never returned our greetings. BOO! We have a new postman! YAY! He won’t bring us any mail. BOO! It does seem that Italy is conspiring to give us every frustrating experience we’ve ever read or heard about. Crummy mail service? Oh come on, that news is so old it’s no longer true. Italian mail service has improved considerably, even in the few years we’ve been here. Post continues here.

2. Well It Was Bound to Come Up at Some Point

Published on Driving Like a Maniac by Katja

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I teach a group of five 15- to 18-year-olds. They may know the language of grammar (auxiliary/modal/state verbs, adjectives, subject/object/pronoun etc), but putting the rules into practice is an entirely different matter. They’re a really entertaining group of kids, and I enjoy the lessons. However, they are experts at diverting onto subjects that they want to talk about, rather than the things that I think we should cover. Let me take you back to last night’s lesson … Post continues here.

3. Italians and the Dreaded Colpo d’Aria

Published on When In Rome Tours by Danielle

Living in Italy for the last 10 years or so, I have had the chance to observe and ponder on many of the cultural curiosities that set it apart from much of the rest of the world. Having grown up in an Italian family, I was often warned of the perhaps fatal consequences of certain practices such as drinking anything with ice, going out with wet hair, or being given the “malocchio” (evil eye) to name a few. All these superstitions I would take with a grain of salt, as I found them harmless and would for the most part simply ignore them. Post continues here.

Only in Italy: Cast Your Vote Here

Voting will be open through Friday, February 5 at 5:00 PM, Italy time. Winners will be announced here on Monday, February 8, 2010.

Calling all expats in Italy …

All expats in Italy, please step forward.

Oh, hi there.

It’s Cherrye and Tina here and we’ve teamed up with Affordable Calling Cards to bring you the first annual Blogging from the Boot awards.

If you lived in the Bel Paese in 2009 and wrote about your expat experiences-even once-then this contest is for you. Did you write funny posts? Heartwarming stories? Love letters???

Perfect.

Here are the details.

The Blogging from the Boot awards were created as a Blog Carnival to highlight the best expat in Italy writing from 2009.

The following categories are open for submissions:

- Mangia! Food and Recipe Posts
In this category, expats in Italy will share their experiences with Italy’s other national pass time-eating!

- That’s Amore: Romance and Love
The Bel Paese is all about love and romance and any post that discusses an expat’s love affair with Italy-or her inhabitants-should be submitted to this category.

- Italianissimo: “Only in Italy” Tales from the Bel Paese
All expats have at least one “Only in Italy” story … whether funny, poignant or educational-submit those posts here.

- Mamma Mia: Parenting Stories
Rearing children in Italy is a topic near and dear to the heart of every expat parent. Posts that focus on this theme should be submitted here.

- Buon Viaggio: Living and Traveling Around the Boot
Many Italy-based expats enjoy sharing stories of their adopted hometowns, destination highlights or tips and tricks from their favorite Italian vacation spots. Any and all travel-based posts should be submitted to this category.

- Paparazzi! Expat Photography
Given the unmatched beauty of the boot, it is no surprise expats in Italy fill the Blogosphere with photos of the Bel Paese. Photo entries should be submitted here.

- Eccomi: Arrivals in 2009
New expats often have a different perspective from those who are settled into their adopted lives. This category is dedicated to expats who moved to Italy in 2009.

Rules and Deadlines:

1. To be eligible, the author must have lived in Italy at some point during 2009.

2. Submitted entries must have been published in 2009.

3. Entries must be received by 5:00 PM-Italy time on Friday, January 29, 2010.

4. There is no limit to the number of entries you can submit in any category.

Click here to submit material.

Judging will take place on January 30-31 and finalists will be announced right here on AffordableCallingCards.net on February 1.

Winners in each category will receive local Perugian chocolate-straight from the source-and a fancy new banner to showcase on their blogs, courtesy of AffordableCallingCards.net.

For more information, email bloggingfromtheboot@gmail.com.

In bocca al lupo!

—

Tina Ferrari is a translator, writer and tango dancer based in Umbria, Italy. She writes at AffordableCallingCards.net as well as on her own blog, Tina Tangos.

Cherrye Moore is a freelance writer and southern Italy travel consultant. In addition to Affordable Calling Cards.net , she writes about living and traveling in Calabria on her site, My Bella Vita.

While it is true there are an endless number of expats in Italy, the blogosphere, like a good cocktail party, pulls us party-going bloggers together, helps us mingle, gives us the courage to interact. One of the newest bloggers I’ve been chatting it up with lately is another southern Italy expat, located just across the foot of the boot, in Puglia.

1. So tell us, Sara, how did you end up in Molfetta, Italy?

I had been teaching English in Japan and felt I wanted a change. After taking a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language at the School for International Training in Vermont, I started sending out applications for jobs around Europe.

I had a few different offers, but decided to take a job at a private language school in Bari. Through a friend of a friend I ended up meeting my future husband, Francesco. Our relationship got off to a rocky start because after we had been dating for only a couple of months a series of events led me to leave Italy and return to the States: the Gulf War broke out and sentiment was rather anti-American around Bari, my father had an emergency operation back in the States, the school I was working for never got around to getting me a work visa…

I said good-by to Italy and Francesco and thought that that was that. But, Francesco had other ideas and followed me around the world, even coming to Japan, where I had returned to teach again, and in the end convinced me to come back to Italy and give life with him a try. He was born and raised in Molfetta, so that’s how I ended up here.

2. What are some of the differences between the US and southern Italy when it comes to rearing your children?

I’ve never raised children in the US, so any differences that I have noticed are more products of my memory of being raised in the US than anything else. And I was a child a long time ago! One thing I really appreciate about Italians is their love of children. They love kids’ energy and noise and accept it much more readily than many other cultures do. However, that causes us some problems when my perfectly well-behaved children (by Italian standards) go to the US and are perceived as being too noisy, undisciplined and even rude.

It’s hard on them because they are suddenly expected to behave differently, and hard on me, too, because I hate for them to be seen as behaving inappropriately. Something that used to drive me crazy about having small children in Italy was the way that Italians feel perfectly justified in coming up to you and giving you unsolicited advice, or even scolding you, because you are treating your child in some way that is different from what the Italian advice-giver would expect.

The Italians accept noise and confusion and little kids staying up till midnight and running around the pizzeria like maniacs, but they go into a panic if your child doesn’t wear 3 or 4 layers of wool, including cap with ear-flaps after the first day of winter, irregardless of what the weather is actually like! And let’s not even mention the whole issue of catching a draught after working up a sweat, it seems like the number one Italian parental fear. As an American I always thought that a good gust of wind would dry me off if I were sweating, never imagined it could bring on illness and who knows what other dread conditions! You can really get caught in a cross-cultural bind of contrasting expectations!

3. What family traditions have you started in Italy?

As a bi-cultural family, we have tried to combine the best traditions from both cultures. We celebrate all the Italian holidays, plus as many American ones as possible. We usually have both a Halloween party and a Carnival party. We open gifts from family members on Christmas eve in the Italian tradition, but then Santa Claus comes during the night, American-style. On December 6, San Nicola leaves gifts for my children and the Befana leaves them candies on the night of January 6. At Easter we participate in all of the Italian church activities and processions, but we also paint Easter eggs and leave them in baskets for the Easter Bunny to hide during the night. You could say that we do it all!

4. What do you miss the most from home-besides family and friends, of course?

I first came to Italy in 1990 and then returned definitively in 1992, so while I’ll always be American in my heart, southern Italy has become my “normal.” This is where I have my home and where I feel “at home.” I don’t really miss life in the USA much, to be honest. But, there are some things… For one, I miss US TV. I’m not a big TV watcher, but I wish I could see the new shows as they come out each year.

Another thing I miss is access to a variety of ethnic foods. Italian food is great (as any Italian will be quick to tell you!), but I miss Thai, Japanese, Mexican, barbeque… These things may even be available in the distant north part of Italy (for me that includes Rome!), but in the deep south such things can only be dreamed of!

And the main thing I miss is the abundant choice that is available in the US. Choice in everything: foods, household goods, educational options, sports, clothes, you name it. When I go back to the States I always want to stock up on so many products that I can’t get around here. I limit myself to Tollhouse chocolate chips, vanilla flavouring and Ziplock bags, otherwise my suitcase would be way over my weight limit!

5. What is your favorite thing about Puglia?

Puglia is a beautiful region. We have miles and miles and miles of beautiful coastline along the Adriatic Sea. There are many lovely little towns with historical centers well-worth visiting. There are castles, archaeological sites, nature preserves. The local food is simple but delicious. It’s a great area!

Thank you, Sara! You can learn more about Sara and Puglia by visiting her blogs Amid the Olive Trees and Molfetta Daily Photos.

Cherrye Moore is an American freelance writer living in southern Italy. In addition to AffordableCallingCards.net, she writes about living and traveling in Calabria on her site, My Bella Vita. Comments and messages are welcome on both sites. All photos by Sara of Molfetta Daily Photo.