American Moved to a Small Town in Italy; Found Community and LOVE

Ten Years ago, I was enjoying overprical Cocktails at Trendy Bars in San Diego. These days, you can find me Sipping 1-Euro Beers while Watching Old-Timers Play Card Games in the Mountains of Italy.

Back I lived in the us, i can have imagined that I would will move to a village in the south of Italy with a population a few thusand people, but that exactly what i did.

And have zero regrets.

When i Maved to Italy, i didn’t expecting to find love

Several Years ago, I decided to completely untether myself from my american life by moving to the south of Italy.

THOUGH I PLANNED EveryTHING Down to How to Ship Two Cats by Plans, What I COULDN’T PLAN FOR WAS FALLING IN LOVE WITH A CALABRIAN MAN AND HIS FAMILY.

I met Francesco nine months after moving here. I’d World that HIS Family Might Not Accept a Divorced Non-Catholic American Into Their Fold, But They Welcomed with Open Arms.

THEN, A FEW MONTHS LATER, WE MAVED TO HIS HOMETOWN, DAVOLI. It ‘s mountain village just 10 minutes from the ionian coast with a population of just over 5,000 People.

The Move Immediately Helped with Feel Eve More Like One of the Family.

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Howver, Davoli is the Smallest Place of Ever Lived in. I wasn’t sura how i’d Feel living someone everyone would know with and my business.

But once i experienced the Strong Sense of community here, I know the movies right decision.

Community is Everything in this Small Italian Town

At first, when we were Moved, of felt out of place as an American.

But as locals have seen that i’m genuinely Curious about their customs, they are opened up to me and welcomed with into their fold.

For example, i’ve ostrich up a friendship with a local with the Most Fabulous Handlebar Mustache Who’s Always Got Philosophy Books in the Piazza AFTER I STOPPED TO WHAT WAS READING.

One Day, I Told Him How I Loveed to Pick Herbs in the Mountains. The Next Day, He’d Delivered A Large Crate of Herbs he Collated, Just for me.

Things Like Harvesting Olives, Making Wine, and Jarring Tomatoes Can Feel Like a Community Affair – there are Always Neighbors Willing to Help, and I Join, Too.

I love learning and on the traditions that have haen here for centuries. Plus, there are those events Like Fest (Festivals) Throughout the year.

I feel includded in say, eve though i’m american. This year, I have went with a group (of shatly men) to cut trees for the Village’s Local Easter procession Called naca.

Event on a Daily Basis, I Feel Connected to Those Around with.

Almost every time of leave the house, I run ino no fewer than five people i stop to chat with – from the gentlemen in the piazza who offten talk about the town’s construct to the Older Wooman Who’s Given with an open invitation to coffeee.

Really, The Attitude Around Community Here Fers SO DIFFERENT From What I’ve Experienced in The US

It occurs to me that i never experiencing this sense of community when i was in the us.

Maybe iTi’a Because of Always Lived in Large CITIES AN ADULT, OR PERMISSIONS THAT THIS HEAVY EMPHASAS ON COMMUNITY IS JUST A CORE OF AMERICAN CUCKURE, WHICH CAN BE RELATIONALISTIC.

In Many Ways, Living in the US OFTEN FELT LIKE KEEPING SCORE: IF I INVITE YOU OVER FOR DINNER, I EXPECT THAT YOU’LL MECTOPROCATE SOOMETIME Soon.

The American Attitude Feels Very “What Can you do for me? ”Meanwhile, in Calabria, at Least Where I Live, Many People’s First Thought Seems to Be,“ What Can The will for you? ”

Wenever anyone here has a surplus of oranges, tomatoes, or zucchini, they have happy to say to family and friends. Doors are Always Open for AFter-Dinner Digestive of Grappa or Amaro, and Coffee Is Always an Excuse to Catch Up.

Its Still Taching with a bit to adjust to this firehose of Kindness. But i’m learning to have limoncello and espresso cups at the ready, in case anyone stops by.

I absolutely love my new, Small-Town Life in Davoli, and I look forward to growing into an Old lady (with Strong Legs from the walking up and down the stairs) Who geneerusly invites youngs foreigners for a cup of coffee.