I’m sitting in the Naples, Italy airport waiting to board a yet-to-be-seen flight to Marrakech, Morocco. No one seems to know why the plane is so late or if it’s coming at all, but that’s how it goes sometimes, right? We’ve all been there, living the glamorous travel life. It’s already been a rather longContinue reading “Glamorous Travel”
Tag Archives: Italy
An Ode To Not Knowing What the Hell Is Going On
I love traveling abroad. When you’re living daily life back home, it all becomes so rote, so predictable. It’s easy to stagnate and go on autopilot. But when you’re traveling abroad, nothing can be taken for granted. The area is new; you don’t know where anything is. The language is new; you don’t know whatContinue reading “An Ode To Not Knowing What the Hell Is Going On”
The Dishwasher Wants Salt
So, you know how when your dishwasher stops working, you call the repair man? And how when the repairman shows up, he points to the “S” on the dishwasher panel and says, “It wants salt” (in Italian of course). And you say, “salt?” just to clarify, since you’re confused; you didn’t know the dishwasher wantedContinue reading “The Dishwasher Wants Salt“
Tonic of Wildness
My family and I have been searching for a good swimming hole. Here in Tuscany, we’re blessed with miles of exquisite, pristine ocean beaches but we haven’t yet discovered a really good freshwater swimming spot. The Arno River runs right through Pisa, but near as I can tell, it’s a pretty industrial waterway. You don’tContinue reading “Tonic of Wildness”
The Wabi-Sabi of Italy
Today we visited Volterra, Italy. It was breathtaking. The ancient city is a network of old stone walkways, arches and high medieval towers perched atop a wild Tuscan hilltop. It’s a rainbow of flowers exploding from balconies and window boxes. It’s a view of rolling farmland that never ends. It’s a rare place that makesContinue reading “The Wabi-Sabi of Italy”
Wu Wei: How to Wait
I’m like a sled dog; give me an objective and I’ll drive toward accomplishment come hell or high water. Leave me to my own devices, and I’ll eat your couch. I am good at doing. Waiting? Not so much. Frankly, I don’t even know how to wait. My doer mindset has served me well butContinue reading “Wu Wei: How to Wait”
We’ll See: An Adventure in Germany
My family and I recently embarked on a three-day adventure in Germany (living abroad is amazing – everything is so close!). We were all very excited to explore Bavaria, do lots of hiking, and see the famous Neuschwanstein Castle in person. We had the whole trip planned out. After an idyllic drive through the Alps,Continue reading “We’ll See: An Adventure in Germany”
Da Vinci Day!
Today the kids and I set out to discover the man, the myth, and the legend himself: Leonardo da Vinci. I have been in love with da Vinci since I was a budding young art student, some two decades ago. Why? Clearly, da Vinci was extraordinarily gifted, but it’s not his amazing talent that drawsContinue reading “Da Vinci Day!”
Savor the Moment
Yesterday, I mentioned that I’ve been thinking about the point of life and what it means to “let the soft animal of your body love what it loves,” as poet Mary Oliver said. While I was writing, my daughter climbed onto the bed (yes – my bed is my writing desk). I paused to giveContinue reading “Savor the Moment”
What’s the Point of Life?
What is the purpose of life? I’ve been thinking about this a great deal lately; not just since we moved to Italy but throughout the last few years – and especially during the pandemic. I think we all did, to a certain extent. Perhaps it would be better to say I’ve been thinking about theContinue reading “What’s the Point of Life?”
How to be Happy: La Dolce Vita
I am American. And, like many of my fellow Americans, I am strongly influenced by our country’s ideals of independence and productivity. After all, we are the nation of Manifest Destiny, pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, and the American Dream. This cultural baseline has resulted in untold innovations from assembly lines to air conditioning,Continue reading “How to be Happy: La Dolce Vita”
Tuscan Dinner – A Recipe for Great Family Conversation
I knew a traditional Tuscan dinner would provide delicious food and delightful ambiance – but I soon discovered that it is also the perfect recipe for family conversation.
It’s Not Always the Language Barrier
When we went in to apply for our Italian Permesso di Soggiorno, I was a little worried about the language barrier. Funnily enough, that wasn’t what got me into trouble at all.