What I Would Miss About Italy

Sometimes, fleeting thoughts flash through my mind. Sometimes making me stop and ask, “Now where did that come from?” Others making me emphatically state, “I don’t even want to think about it!” Many just meander through for no apparent reason; this is one of those…

What would I miss most about Italy?

If we were ever to move away from Italy, what would I miss? Other than all the beautiful places and marvelous people! Why state the obvious? But how about the other stuff?

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

The PRACTICAL blessings

• The public health system
  Though not flawless, Italy’s healthcare system is a boon. It consistently ranks among the finest in the world. Plus, most services and medications are free or at minimal cost. Even hospital stays.
• Discount supermarkets
  What big money savers they are, which is ever more critical in light of today’s inflation. 😦
• Our bidet
  Let’s put it this way. For private hygiene, toilet paper just doesn’t do the job. Enough said about that. But I would also miss my bidet because they’re really just low sinks, and useful for so many other things. Footwashing after wearing sandals all day. A perfect footrest while standing to shave your legs. An ideal tub for washing baby’s bottom during diaper changes. And finally, a place to wash garments by hand or put stubborn stains to soak.
• The public transport system
  In most places, car-free living is possible due to the extensive bus and train systems. Although service is limited in isolated places, like down in our summer village.
• The low cost of living
  By steering clear of Italy’s major cities, you should be able to live quite inexpensively. Italy usually ranks high among Europe’s cheapest places to live. 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 reliable, fast internet and phone service at a very low cost.

The Good and yummy stuff

• The coffee
  
• Including cappuccino and the numerous 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
  I’d say it’s a well-known fact that Italians are convinced their food is the finest in the world. Perhaps I’m partial, but I agree! Partly because of high quality ingredients, but mostly, I think, because it’s truly made with love. Italians love their food, love preparing it well, and love seeing others eat it!
• Produce
  Most fruits and vegetables are local, or at least national. Freshly picked, packed with sun-ripened flavor, and affordable!
• Bread
  Fresh bread, still warm and fragrant, delivered daily right to your front door!
• The 4-hour dinners
  With friends and family gathered around the table..
• The food sagras
  Food festivals that celebrate local or regional wines and delicacies found in every town and city around the nation.
• Olive oil
  Extra, extra virgin olive oil, straight from the farmer, and at incredibly cheap prices!
• Pizza
  Knowing that wherever you are you’ll find superb pizza!

The simple joyous things!

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

• The chiming of church bells pealing 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 through the town square
• Trips to the seashore
• An hour of leisure in the piazza or at the seashore with hubby, enjoying a Spritz and apperitivi
• Fresh-smelling laundry flapping in the breeze
• Their love of tradition and pride in heritage
• The smell of woodsmoke floating in the air
• The weather, with its delightful springs and gorgeous autumns
• Grapes ripening on the vine
• Grape harvest and olive gathering

But really, I would miss just about everything. Come to think of it, this random thought was more of the type, “It doesn’t bear thinking about!”

Images: Train by Engin Akyurt | Coffee by Albany Colley | Laundry by Barni1.