Week 1 at the Relais Histo near Grottaglie, Italy

This is a favorite small luxury hotel for the Boeing people as well as other business travelers. It dates back to 1392 and was once a Roman villa and monastery. It is very nicely rennovated and quite luxurious. I love staying here although it is out of town. The pool is lovely also but I didn't photograph it.

http://www.relaishisto.it/history.htm

First three weeks

Go to Italy if you ....
Are a truly flexible person who can live in the moment
Are open to new food tastes and combinations
Like to have long, leisurely meals and visit with friends
Like to stroll along the plazas and waterfronts to enjoy the evenings
Can let go of the way you have always done things and embrace something new
Don't mind downsizing your living quarters and simplifying your stuff
Are willing to learn the language and enjoy the culture
Can adapt to a different climate and switch to different clothing styles to fit in
Don't mind driving a very small car and learning the language of honking and the "dance" of driving where traffic rules are merely suggestions
Love espresso and pastires, wine and fresh bread, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, pasta and fresh vegetables in season
Like connecting with people in a genuine way and truly getting to know them
Can laugh at your own mistakes and difficulties, and still enjoy the day

Don't go to Italy if you....
Want to listen to the same music and watch the same shows on TV that you watch in the States -- there may be a way to do some of that but it will take some time and genius to figure that out
Like the predictability of your current lifestyle
Enjoy familiar foods and all things American
Like to have a well ordered, well planned itinerary for your day -- it is not going to happen that way in Italy!
Like to have a busy schedule with tight itinerary and lots of activities put into the day -- you will be very disappointed cause things don't happen fast in Italy
Are worried about hygiene and germ control -- people in Italy don't seem that concerned and hand sanitizer is practically non-existent
Like fast food, fast cars, speed dating, or anything else that occurs rapidly -- not happening in Italy!
Are offended by a culture that doesn't view "green" living the way we do -- recycling is token only and the streets in some places are full of trash that washes into the sea (I will have a future blog devoted to environmental observations)
Are frustrated by government bureaucracy, slow road repairs, lots of holidays when businesses close, limited shopping hours (very few things are 24.x7), a heavily unionized work force with distinct ideas about what is their job and what it isn't

I like Italy and think the next couple of years will be an awesome experience! I thought I was pretty flexible but already found myself challenged on several occasions to just let stuff go and not let the frustrations ruin my day. It is not for everybody. I observed among the Americans I met there several that I doubt will make it the two full years; they were getting frustrated about things not happening quickly and like they want them to happen. There is also a tendency for some to retreat into a community of all American ex-patriates to preserve the sense of the familiar; my instinct tells me this is a mistake. As scarey as it might be at first, the real joy in this journey is going to be living among Italians and speaking their language and making Italian friends.

Saying Farewell to my old work group

Sharing the steps in the upcoming adventure

Already speaking Italian with my hands.....

My work group gave me a going away potluck last week. It was very kind and a chance to see a lot of people that I have worked with the last 6 years. I received many warm good wishes and hugs.