Any Expats? - what do you miss most about 'home'

laprimaJenny wrote: »

I miss how people cherish children and family. I could not walk anywhere without receiving back pats and hearing Bella! Complimenti! Cara! Or questions of how my family and loved ones are doing.

The produce. OH THE PRODUCE. Fresh, straight from the earth, and affordable.

The wine. DUH. The wine was cheaper than water and pure. I miss ordering a half liter or quarter liter of house wine. I miss going to the sfuzi/wine gas station.

The history. Everything here seems so clean and sterile to me. I miss the beauty of the rooftops and the cobblestones and the ruins. I miss the brightly colored doors and shutters and the laundry flapping in the breeze.

I miss the smell. A combination of coffee, cigarette smoke (although, file the smoke under things I don’t miss), Italian accents (insert shy smirk here), meats and cheeses, and chesnuts roasting (in the winter).

I miss the sound of church bells.

The rotaries and the sanctity of the lefthand lane on the Autostrada.

I miss the 4 hour dinners.

I miss Christmas markets and vin brulé.

The feeling of euro coins in my hand.

The beautiful women in their furs and sky high heels.

The nuns riding bikes.

I miss the fact that no one is in a rush or in a competition as to who is busiest. I miss “la vita bella”.

I miss the marble floors, wood beam ceilings, and shutters that could keep zombies out.

I miss $1 cappuccinos that blew anything I’d ever tasted at Starbucks out of the water. I miss the sound of espresso cups clinking on saucers.

The taste of gelato melting on my tongue and running all over my hands.

The sight of people just walking in their beautiful clothing during passeggiata. Watching them stop and chat and acknowledge one another. Observing their leisurely pace.

I miss riposo and the quiet when everyone just went home and ate and slept.

Drinking an aperitivo and watching the kids play in the piazza.

I miss the rocky beaches.

I miss putting on gloves to buy produce.

The absence of skyscrapers.

The walking and the climbing and the fact that you could go days without having to use your car.

I miss how much affordable lodging and air travel was. And how easy it was just to GO GO GO every weekend.

I miss the sandwiches in Autostrada gas stations.

I miss leisurely strolling alongside my husband every Saturday morning at the local mercato.

I miss my family and friends that I wish I could see on a daily basis.

Ok done my rant, in essence the reality is I miss everything!