Ci spiace, ma questo articolo è disponibile soltanto in English.
Nel 2003 Rebecca ha iniziato a scrivere dei saggi per il sito Slow Travel, raccontando la sua esperienza di ragazza di città che dagli Stati Uiniti si è trasferita nella campagna umbra.
Le sue riflessioni sono riprodotte qui.
Umbria Slow:
*snort* Sadly, the Passover candies do not compete. Gah.
Rebecca, this cracks me up. Last night our friends had a big argument about whether the Priest should use the funds of the church to buy and give out lots of Chocolate eggs to all the kids in town and all the cousins of the kids in town and any kid who happens to come by the town (he does this) or if the money should be used to adopt a starving child in Agrentina. I weighed in on the side of – yes he should give the eggs to the kids as it teaches them generosity and makes them feel welcomed and part of the community. And why not adopt a starving child too. You crack me up and I am farther on the road to recovery than you are – I only ate half of each kids egg.
Both hands in the chocolate, eh? Very well written– love the segue from stealing candy from your babies to a snappy breakdown about ex-pat living.
As your friend, I would have been more than happy to help you with this problem, but apparently you are one of those selfish friends who just don’t know the meaning of the word ‘share’. I hope there’s a group to help you with this problem as soon as you recover from your addiction. Personally, I don’t see the need. If you need help, you know where to find me.
@Amy Listen there, lady, you people have the knishes and the latkas. And you complain? (Oh, how I miss Kaufmans in Chicago!)
@Pam…ah, yes, chocolate does seem to stir up the worst of human nature! I am now on a strict diet…water and the last of the frozen shards of Easter chocolate that I sneak out of the ziplock bag in the freezer when no one is watching. In fact, I think I may just go get a piece now…..
@Erica Thanks! Nothing like a sugar high to make you snappy ;)
@Barb I am moved by your sympathy in this hard time. I will let you know when they discharge me from the clinic. In the meantime, send cookies. (Chocolate chip, please.)
Hmmmm – not sure chocolate chip cookies would be allowed in the ‘program’ – I don’t think you’ve hit bottom yet…..
Hello, Rebecca (said in unison).
I have an appreciation for people who are quick to admit their weaknesses. You have motivated me to come clean. My name is Diana and I drank all the leftover Dolcetto and Barbera from the weekend’s wine tasting. In one sitting. While watching American Idol. Thank God for Astra 28.
Your take on expatriatism (not a word, I know) is pretty much how I feel as well. I do believe there is a special place in hell for those expats who refuse to talk to other expats in the common expat language. Normally the Italian ain’t that great on either, and the circular game of reinforcing crappy grammar gets old in about three or four seconds.
I think that life here and life there and life everywhere has wonderful parts (torta verde) and awful parts (Enel). Wonderful parts (cilantro in every grocerty store) and awful parts (Walmart on a Saturday). Taking it all in balance and stride and with a good sense of humor is the key to contentment, I think, regardless where we are.
Good luck with the withdrawal symptoms!
Diana, your secret makes you hip. Mine makes me a mother who steals chocolate from her own children. ;)
Thanks for your comments…sometimes striking the perfect expat balance is tricky. Today Umbria is beautiful and all my utilities are working and my morning cappuccino hit the spot, so I am swinging towards those who go native.
Tomorrow I’ll have some problem with the post office, so I’ll swing back!
Great post,Rebecca. I understand your addiction perfectly. Even with the awful Easter Candy in the US, I found that I just had to make an Easter Basket for my son. He is 23 and we are Jewish, LOL. At least he will take all of the Candy back to school tonight!
Buona Pasqua!
Don’t feel too badly Rebecca. My kids did not know that chocolate bunnies had ears until they were in college…….
Enjoy every moment of the childhood days and keep smiling.
Lynn