I should stop watching The Food Network; it’s really that simple. Over the weekend I think I managed to watch about 400 different Food Network programs, the vast majority of which focussed on Italy. Not only was I left feeling very hungry, but I was also incredibly homesick. Italy’s ultimate victory in the World Cup did not help matters.
When I moved to Chicago I had some very vivid dreams about living and working in Italy, which convinced me that my wanderlust had not entirely dissipated. I had the real sensation that I had not yet finished my global adventure and I know I still feel that. There is still something in me that needs to get back to Italy; the pull of that country is pretty strong for me. This is going to sound really wanky, but I can’t describe to you the comfort I feel sitting in St Mark’s Square in Venice, eating a slice of pizza and just ‘people watching’. Or how relaxed I can be riding Rome’s crowded Metro, emerging from the Colosseo station, walking up the stairs to come face-to-face with the unmistakable Colosseum.
Don’t get me wrong – I love the Windy City and, in the immortal words of Peter Allen, Hugh Jackman, and the entire QANTAS choir, “I still call Australia home”. But the pull of Italy is still there. After all, that beautiful boot-shaped nation is home to the Vatican; quality coffee taken al fresco in the summer sunshine; and perfectly-coiffed young men in Versace pants yelling “Ciao” as they motor by, sans helmet of course, on their vintage vespas. With this in mind, if I ever do win the lottery, I will be first in line to rent a spacious Tuscan villa and simply recline for a while and soak up all the atmosphere. No TVs allowed. Anyone care to join me?
4 comments:
I know someone whos looking for a Italien travel partner. You better start taking Italien.Hehe
me me me me me me me me .... oHH!!! .... and da momma, da momma, da momma .... and me too !!!! Cinque Terre, there's still 3 walks left unfinished. There's a caravan park in Pisa to revisit (and maybe this time we can drive across the bridge and not throw the GPS into a hissy-fit) ..... and maybe this time we can actually stop in Perugia rather than drive 40 kms out the other side and then ask, "has anyone seen a sign for Perugia??". And there's a certain car owner in Assisi who is probably still looking for me ..... and San Gimin... Ahhhh!!! bella Italia !!!!
Pick me.... Pick me ..... I loved Venice too. I'll have coffee and pizza with you in St Mark's square - I've done it, but I'd do it again.
Nah !!! pick me ... pick me .... I can speak Italian without causing an International incident, I can talk with my mouth full, point in 7 different directions AND walk ... all at the same time. I pack in a plastic bag and can sing Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy ...oi oi oi .... in 5 different Italian dialects (all bearing a strong resemblance to each other, but subtlely different).
Post a Comment