Signora Sheila

Sometimes, fleeting thoughts flash through my mind causing me to think and ask, “Where did that come from?” Other times they cause me to say emphatically, “I can’t bear to think of it!” Many just meander through for no apparent reason; this is one of those…

What would I miss the most about Italy?

If we ever left Italy, what would I miss? Besides all the beautiful places and marvelous people! Why state the obvious? But what about the other things?

If time and space allowed, the list would be endless. But for your sake, I’ll try to keep it short! First of all, the practical things. So many things, big and small, that make Italy an excellent place to live!

The PRACTICAL blessings

• The public health system
  Although not perfect, Italy’s health care system is a blessing. It is consistently ranked among the best in the world. Plus, most services and medications are free or have minimal fees, even hospital stays.
• Discount supermarkets
  What a great way to save money, which is even more important with today’s inflation. :(
• Bidets
  Let’s put it this way. When it comes to personal hygiene, toilet paper just doesn’t cut it. Enough said about that. But I would also miss bidets because they’re really just low sinks, and useful for so many things. Washing your feet after wearing sandals all day. A perfect foot rest while standing to shave your legs. An ideal tub for washing baby’s bottom during diaper changes. And finally, a place to hand wash clothes or soak stubborn stains.
• The public transportation system
  In most places, car-free living is possible thanks to the extensive bus and train systems. Although service is limited in remote places, such as down in our summer village.
• The low cost of living
  By you avoid Italy’s big cities, you should be able to live quite inexpensively. Italy is usually one of the cheapest places to live in Europe. And has a high quality of life. There’s nothing in the world like Italy’s famous dolce vita!
• Cheap phone and internet service
  Compared to the USA, we have fast internet and phone service at a very low cost.

The good and tasty stuff

• The coffee
  Including cappuccino and the many ways to order an expresso in Italy. Lungo, corto, ristretto, macchiato, and so many more! There’s something for everyone!
• The smell of coffee when you walk into a bar. It’s intoxicating!
• The great cuisine
  It’s no secret that Italians believe their food is the best in the world. Maybe I’m biased, but I agree! Partly because of the quality of the ingredients, but mostly because it’s made with love and passion. Italians love their food, love to prepare it well, and love to see others eat it!
• Produce
  Most fruits and vegetables are local, or at least national. Affordable, freshly picked, and full of sun-ripened flavor!
• Bread
  Fresh bread, still warm and fragrant, delivered daily right to your front door!
• The 4-hour dinner
  With friends and family gathered around the table..
• The food festivals
  Food festivals that celebrate local or regional wines and delicacies found in every town and city in the country.
• Olive oil
  Extra, extra virgin olive oil, direct from the farmer, and at incredibly low prices!
• Pizza
  Knowing that you’ll find great pissa wherever you go!

The simple joyous things!

AKA La Dolce Vita…Because life is mostly slower, we have time to savor the moments and truly enjoy the more significant and meaningful things in life…

• Hearing the church bells ring through town, every hour on the hour
• Being on a first-name basis with our butcher, baker, greengrocer, and pizza maker
• The beauty of the old town centers, churches, tiled roofs, and cobblestone streets
• The daily passeggiatas or evening stroll in the town square
• Trips to the sea
• Leisure time in the piazza or by the sea enjoying a spritz and apperitivi
• Fresh smelling laundry blowing in the breeze
• The Italians’ love of tradition and pride in their heritage
• The smell of wood smoke in the air
• The weather, with its delightful springs and spendid autumns
• Grapes ripening on the vine
• Grape harvest and olive picking

But really, I would miss just about everything. Come to think of it, that random thought was more along the lines of, “It’s not worth thinking about!”

📷 Image credits: train; laundry; others are mine