“Now that I’m here, where am I?”
Janis Joplin
In thinking about my second passage to The Spaghetti Diaries, I had a difficult time deciding what would be the best topic of this post. There is so much to share. Life has provided no shortage of experiences since I arrived, and they span the entire spectrum: joy to sadness, confidence to anxiety, complete awesomeness to humility and the feeling of smallness in my new world. I thought it best to take you on a journey of my new environment and share what life is like for me now.
Overall, I am elated to be in Italy, having THIS experience. I know I am supposed to be here right now. There were many times in my life where I have questioned: “What am I doing?” or “Where am I going?”, “Am I comfortable in my environment?” I never could answer that question completely affirmatively. There was always doubt that things were not as good as they could be or should be. Work wasn’t optimal, or I wanted for something more in my relationships with people, or simply, I lacked genuine contentment with myself. I can honestly say that for the first time in the last 18-months, I am happy with my choices. I am satisfied and surprisingly comfortable, and I like who I am becoming. I certainly have made trade-offs in moving to Italy, but for every comfort I have lost, I have found a number of benefits. I like the town where I am living. The people are incredibly warm and welcoming, and the conveniences of city living are better than I imagined. Each day I feel as if I’m melting into my new life in Roma, and I have no regrets in making the move to Italy.
My neighborhood: Nomentano, Roma, Italia
I found a small one-bedroom apartment on AirBNB about an eight-minute walk from my language school. It’s in the neighborhood of Nomentano. By American standards, my apartment is small, but it’s well-equipped. It is in a secure building with a friendly building porter named Massimo.
“Mass”, as the residents call him, oversees the building, collects and delivers packages for the residents, and smokes cigarettes, a lot of cigarettes. He looks like a slightly rougher version of Lyle Lovett. He greets me every day with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and says “Buongiorno, Luca!” in the morning or, “Buonasera, Luca!” in the afternoon. He also throws in a whole bunch of other phrases until he realizes he has exhausted my vocabulary. I usually have to terminate the conversation with a nice smile and, “Non ho capito.” I feel a bit sheepish when we have to end our conversations due to my inability to understand. Mass doesn’t seem to mind. He just smiles pleasantly and uses the abrupt pause to take a hit off his cigarette and continue about his business.
My apartment leaves me wanting for one thing: a terrace or balcony. It would give me some outdoor space, and it would make doing laundry so much easier. When one thinks of Italy, it’s impossible not to have images of sheets and clothing billowing in the wind draped over lines strung from the windows and balconies. Most Italians do not use automatic dryers; they actually frown upon them. They believe heat ruins your clothes and a dryer simply costs too much to operate. I dry my clothes in front of the hot water radiators in the apartment, or when I need express service, I take them up five flights of stairs to the roof where the sun does the trick in just a few hours.
Since nothing dries from heat, nothing really shrinks back into shape either. So, it makes sense why the clothes fit a little tighter here. You buy a bit smaller, knowing by day three or four, your jeans will fit perfectly. Oh, and yes, there’s an incentive not to wash things as often, knowing it could be a day or more before they are ready to wear. That’s a price I’m willing to pay for living the Roman life.
The first thing I noticed about Nomentano when I arrived is that there are no tourists. This is a blue-collar working neighborhood of locals and students. The flip-side is, I haven’t spoken to a native-English speaker since I arrived two-weeks ago. I’m not avoiding them, they just aren’t around here. When I’m out shopping at the markets or ordering food or drinks, it’s a mix of my bad “Engli-talian” and their “Itali-glish.” The locals are anxious to practice their English, and of course, I’m anxious to practice my limited (but growing) Italian.
For those of you from California, you understand the “Spanglish” experience. I am living it, but I am on the other side of the fence! What feels different here is the acceptance of foreigners like me. I haven’t once felt like I was annoying someone because I tried to speak their language. Instead, I find them accommodating and willing to help me with my learning. There is a warmth in their eyes (or maybe it’s just pity) when they see me trying, and they help me along by offering to complete my sentences, or they will try to speak English. They teach me, I teach them–and we correct each other so we can get better together. I can’t help but wonder if I demonstrated that same kindness and patience when I lived in the United States and others struggled to communicate with me. I sure hope so. It’s a very difficult thing to live in an environment where communication is compromised.
There are days when I find myself missing the conveniences of language and the comfort that comes with recognizing products, labels, and signs. I am fascinated by the cultural differences, both perceived and real, and my attempts to integrate into a new way of daily living. I can sense that every day I am expanding. I am learning more about this beautiful place and its people, and for that, I am grateful.
If you are wondering where I am, I am here, and I am happy.
I want to thank everyone for their comments on my first post earlier in the month. Your kind words of support fueled my desire for this recent entry, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I appreciate your interest and for following The Spaghetti Diaries. Grazie mille!
Love hearing of your daily escapades! You are where you need to be right now and I’m so happy for you. Can’t wait for more posts and your “current events”!
Linda, thank you so much for sharing in my happiness! There is so much going on here, it’s hard to just pick one. I’m already working on the next update…and I think you will find it 100% Luke! Sending love to you and the family!
Ciao and ti amo!
I love your blogs. You describe everything so it feels like I am there too. Looking forward to the next edition. So glad you are having a wonderful time.
Joyce, thank you so much! There is so much to share and I want people to feel and experience it as I do. Thank you for following, and I know my Florida family is right there with me every step of the way. Please send my love to everyone and give mom a big hug for me!
Ciao!
Lucca,
Thanks for ur update! Your eloquent writing makes me feel like Iam right there with you! Your apartment seems fine for now and I bet your next apt. will have a balcony! Enjoy Roma life and know that Gina and I send out love!
Stay open to your journey and enjoy life as I know you are!!!
Noi ti amiamo lucca!!❤️🤗😌
Lisa,
Thank you so much for the note. Even though you and Gina are 5000 miles away, I know you are right here with me! And, yes, I will have a balcony in my next home. That laundry ain’t gonna dry itself! 🙂
Vi amo entrambi!
Lucca
Lou. So hAppy to read this beautiful post. Looking forward to the next post. I’m planning a return trip to Italy in 2020. Hopefully by then you will have the lay of the land and can show around 😁😊good luck and God Bless
Mike, thank you! I am so glad you are enjoying the posts so far. I would love to see you in 2020 and by then, oh what adventures we will have! Buona fortuna to you and God bless you and your family!
Bravo Lucca!! I so enjoy your insights as you transition to your new life. So proud of you for following your inner voice. Ciao for now 😆
Grazie, Bowlsie! Thank you for always being there with me on entire journey! Few know me as well as you do. Ciao ciao!!!!
Luke I have found a new career for you! You are an Author, write a book! I’m dead serious. I can’t wait for the next episode! I could smell the cigarette smoke and just see myself in the market unable to figure out what delicacies are in the cans!
I admire your bravery so much!
Bravo!
Robin, you are too kind. Thank you! I’m glad you could see and smell the sights and experiences. Perhaps one day I’ll have enough of a journey to put it into a book. I’m closing no doors at this point. Life is too short to rule anything out now. 🙂
What a great second posting to your blog. Such a life change! How brave of you to just “do it” and work daily on learning a second language. In our European travels, David and I also were happy to experience the warmth of the ‘natives’ when we showed our appreciation for their culture, food, etc and at least always learned simple greetings & the critical “please” and “thank you. Not sure I would ever give up a dryer though 😉…might have to, at least, budget for laundromat time.
Goditi la tua nuova vita
❤️
Pat, thank you for reading and following along. Yes it is a big change – but each day becomes a bit more normal. Sometimes I feel brave, sometimes I feel just crazy…but I think a good mix of both is probably the right balance. People are incredibly warm here, and they seem to love watching me experience it. I have found nothing but goodness here.
I thought about the laundromat. At some point, things are going to need to be reevaluated…LOL.
Sending love to you!
Gorgeous – enjoy every minute. You don’t want regrets. Having up & moved countries twice I completely endorse the concept and happy to hear about all your adventures.
By the way, I have a fav little spot I try to go to when I’m in Rome. As much as I adore Italian food, I can only eat pasta for so long and the food/especially salads at Fiore are to die for – the colors & presentation are great!!!!! FIORE which is in/near the Sallustiano neighborhood (so not too far from you); Via Boncompagni, 31-33, 00187 https://www.facebook.com/fiorecucinaflexiteriana/
Prue,
Thank you so much and I am so glad you are enjoying the posts. Regrets are useless artifacts of the past, and they serve no purpose. Each day I have to push some of them back, but it gets better all the time.
I will check out Fiore! I’m always on the look out for new places!
Grazie mille – sending hugs to you!
Hi Luke,
Your writing is literally taking me along with you in your daily life… Wonderful!
Literally, I have wrapped clothes around the radiator, trying to get them dry.
Enjoy, enjoy and enjoy!
Bonne Journee, from my French class…🥰
Judy, few people can attest to the adventures of travel like you can. Your words are so kind and I appreciate every one of them. Thank you for your support and if I need travel tips in Europe..you’re the first one I’m calling! Grazie a te!
I enjoy exciting, new adventures. It certainly sounds like you are adjusting wonderfully to your next chapter. I look forward to hearing more.
Fredrick, thank you for your encouragement! I am adjusting although every day I get another test of my resolve. It’s been a wonderful experience so far! Thank you for following my journey.
Oh Mio Dio, scrivi così bene! Sono in grado di ‘sentire’ esattamente quello che vuoi dire !!!!! Please excuse all my mistakes. I will try some Italian with you. Your words were beautiful. I was feeling exactly what you were writing! I think you have picked the perfect place to live? It’s my dream. You are seeing the good … it far outweighs the inconveniences as you wrote. These are our people and I feel that when I go. I wish you so much happiness. I imagine a wave of homesickness comes over you but keep going. Can’t wait til the next entry…
My next tip…. we always stay at the JK Place Roma hotel. It’s a small boutique place that makes you feel like family. They have a beautiful bar that feels like 1920s Hollywood. Please go there for a drink. We have a dear friend there who is the bartender. His name is Lucca DiFillipis! Please go and tell him that Rob and Keith sent you for a good drink.
Rob,
Il tuo italiano è perfetto! Thank you for your generous compliments. Few have experienced Italy like you have, and I know you can resonate with the experience. I believe this is absolutely perfect for now – and look forward to exploring the various neighborhoods to help me settle into a more permanent home.
I believe you will find what you seek, and I’m choosing to look for all that is beautiful here..and I keep seeing it! Thanks for your support and your tips! I will have to check out the JK Place Roma! Sounds marvelous. I will look up Lucca – is everyone here named Lucca? I have about four in my life now – I may need to rethink my name. LOL.
Sending love to you and Keith!
I have arrived to your blog and saved it to my iPad home page, I plan to log on and catch up everyday BEFORE I make my moves on Words with Friends. That said, I very much look forward to experiencing, your journey, learning, and growth, vicariously through your insightful observations. Your humanity has always been apparent to me, so between your lessons in the Italian language, keen interest in strangers, humor and innate curiosity to all things including: food, people, horticulture, architecture spirituality and two-wheel modes of transportation I await to be charmed by you, my dear wordsmith. Now turnabout is fair play, if you need information, goods, or updates of any kind all you need is ask. I miss you you more than you could imagine.
Kara, thank you so much for your kind words! It means a lot coming from such an accomplished writer as yourself. I hope my words can move people as beautifully as yours do. You know I’m one of your biggest fans! I miss my extended family in California – and I know that this journey is going to be worth the pain. Pain is never wasted. Each day I think about the love that is present and around me, and that keeps me moving forward. I will take you up on your offer! Buona notte! (It’s 10:23 pm PST) 🙂
So…to consider your time there, go 12 and count back three ex it’s 7:30 in the evening here therefore it’s 4:30 a.m there. Yes?
You nailed it perfectly! I’m still trying to do that math!
This does sound easier than adding 9 hours… which is what I’ve been doing.
Very inspiring! Just wanted to let you know I enjoyed your post and look forward to following your adventures and overall journey! Glad we were able to connect in the desert before you left!
Thank you, John. So good to see you following my blog, and thank you for your kindness. I am so glad we had a chance to reconnect in Palm Desert and I hope our paths cross again in the future.
Your posts bring tears to my eyes–good tears–the kind of tears that I find when I attend a theater performance or listen to a barbershop quartet. Something just touches my soul and I find that my eyes are leaking. I am so very happy for you, my friend.
Veronica, this was a wonderful note to receive after I finished my Italian class today. I cannot thank you enough for being sincere about how my posts affect you. I’m so glad that you are able to feel them and relate to them. I hope to connect readers to my reality in a way that does exactly what you shared with me. I’m so pleased that you are enjoying them and thank you for being happy for me! I hope to keep those happy tears flowing – for both of us. Thank you, V! Sending love your way!
You are blazing trails for people like us. For that, I am grateful! Your raw sincerity with your experiwnces are refreahing and welcome. When is the next one….I am waiting 😆🇮🇹
Michael, thank you for your uplifting and motivating comment! I’m glad you are enjoying the posts. I want to be as open and honest as I can with people, and that comes from the heart. I’ll be posting the next one soon! Stay tuned and thank you again for following! Here’s to you and living life fully!
Lucca! Another great insight into your new life. Thank you again for letting us experience your Roma adventure.
Maurine, you have already blazed a trail which makes it much easier for others to follow! Ciao ciao!
Luke, sometimes we lose ourselves in our travels and other times we find ourselves. Thank you for letting us all lose ourselves for just a few moments in your inspirational journey.
Carla, thank you! I hope each post gives everyone an insider view of life’s awesomeness when we surrender to what is…and let go of what we think it should be. I’m so happy to hear that you are enjoying it! Thank you for following and for being a part of the awesomeness of life!
I discovered your website from Google and also I have to say it was a terrific locate.
Many thanks!
Timothy, Thank you! I appreciate your kind comments. I hope to keep you interested along the way. Stay in touch, and if you have any suggestions or topics of interest – please feel free to email me at: luke@thespaghettidiaries.com Glad you found me!
Planning on a move to Italy also, as a dual citizen. Can you share your experiences with the language school? Where did you go, how effective was/is it? The language is the only thing holding me back. Thanks and keep writing.
Franco, definitely check out my “You Say Tomato, I say Pomodori” post..lots of good information there about my language school. I opted for a full immersion school..5 days a week, just about 3 hours a day. You will be overwhelmed the first few days..but it will slowly come to you. I’m looking at transferring to individual teacher lessons in June..so I can better tailor my learning environment. I’m nine weeks in, and I can understand quite a bit, and self-serve most of what I need. I still have a ways to go. Feel free to email me with any questions: luke@thespaghettidiaries.com and thank you for following and reading the blog. Best to you and go for it! Life is too short to say no.