Monday, February 14, 2011

The Tale of Two Homes


Home in Laguna


Fresh off a month long visit to the “motherland”, I have my usual mixed of feelings about having two homes. While many vicariously live through us ex-pats who have transplanted lives to "live the Italian dream", I usually spend a week or so getting re-acclimated to my adopted homeland.


Home in Lerici


It’s fair to say that both homes have their plus and minuses. Italy is, well, Italy. Excellent, “clean” food, delicious wine, gorgeous landscape, cappuccino to die for, history, art, Grande Fratello (kidding) and of course, my husband. California has unparalleled weather (one month and only one day of rain), organization, endless food choices, landscape that can rival Italy, Target, a manicure & pedicure for less than $25 dollars and above all, my entire family and most of my friends.


When we visit, I fall right back into the world I left nearly 8 years ago. Sure, a few things catch me off guard (BIG streets, HUGE cups of coffee, plastic surgery running amuck) but the truth is, when I am there in California, I feel at home. I want to take complete advantage of it. That’s probably why I basically did not blog when I was there. I needed to cut the Italian cord for a little while.


But now I have returned to Italy, home #2. And despite the usual soggy weather of the winter, I do feel a slight ease and sense of comfort. Maybe it’s because my stomach and waistline could no longer take the melee of foods I chose to consume in the states? Or maybe it’s because I missed Lucy too much (for sure that was part of it)? Or because drinking California wine made me realize how much better Italian wine is? Or maybe it’s just that this really is home now.


Whatever it is, I’m glad I’m back. And back to blogging I will go. Stay tuned...


10 comments:

Diana Strinati Baur said...

Welcome home, Meg. It's always a mixture of feelings. I leave in less than two weeks for the East Coast and when I am in downtown Manhattan (where I was born and spent my childhood) or the tiny town in the hills of Pennsylvania (where I came of age) there is always a deep familiarity. I noticed it as well when I visited Germany last fall - a sense of knowing how things are. I think we leave a little bit of our hearts wherever we live and we take all of it with us. It's not always easy, but it makes us richer somehow. I look forward to going to the states but I know Spring will have started to bloom when I get back.

I bet you missed Lucy and Simone!

Louise | Italy said...

Know the feeling. I would not now swap the pleasures of Italy, my adopted home, for the greys of England, but there's something relaxing about going home. When I hear an Englishman speaking, with whatever accent you care to name, I know instantly where he's from, what his family background is, where he was educated and how successful he's been - without even thinking about it. Here in Italy, although I speak reasonable Italian now, I really have to work at understanding the signs and clues that tell us more about people than words do. This ability to 'understand' a person at a very deep level, is the umbilical cord that keeps me tied to my own country and culture. Looking forward to more posts. Louise.

Elizabeth said...

You have the best of both worlds. Italy AND California...

Anonymous said...

bentornata Megan! Did you also notice that when you go back home is so much better because you are on holidays? I had the same when I came to Italy on holidays years ago. My dream is to live in at least two countries so I will be forever happy!

Saretta said...

Welcome back! I have been in Italy for almost 20 years now, and have to admit I'm more at home here now.

Anonymous said...

It's still in the 70's & sunny! We are glad you feel at home in Italy, but love our month with you here - so many pluses & minuses for your parents!!!!

Ele said...

Hi Megan, welcome back! I discovered your blog while you were away, and I just LOVE it. I even blogged a bit about you here: http://www.kitchenist.com/3145

I'm also an expat (Canadian, living in London for 5 years) so I know where you're coming from. When I'm in Canada I fall so easily back into my old life, friends, etc., but I love coming home to England, too. I try to focus on the "pluses" of each place, and ignore the minuses!

Dr. Christie Collier said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dr. Christie Collier said...

That was really well written Megan!

Michelle James said...

Hi Megan,

I found your details on your blog which I absolutely loved - your art is beautiful! I hope you might be able to help me with my strange request…

I am a Producer working on a television show called House Hunters International which follows English speaking expats in their quest to purchase a house abroad. I am hoping to find English speaking expats to profile who are living in Italy. I wonder if you or any of your expat contacts might be interested in getting involved?! I would love to find out more about your story! Please find a little blurb about the show below:

House Hunters International is a half-hour program currently airing on the Home and Garden Television Network (HGTV) in America.
The series is designed to de-mystify the international home-buying process by going behind the scenes of a house hunt where buyers and their real estate agents tour 3 homes.

At its core, House Hunters International is a travel show concentrating on the idiosyncrasies of the locales and what makes them special and different.

You can watch some examples of the show here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh0Q6DYe3QM - London from South Africa (1600 series)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLmhKEzm5kg - Dubai from Illinois (2000 series)


Please get in touch if you have any more questions about the show. I look forward to hearing from you!

Best wishes and many thanks,

Michelle


Michelle James
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER LEOPARD FILMS
1-3 St Peter's Street, London N1 8JD - +44 20 7704 3300
michelle.james@leopardfilms.com
www.leopardfilms.com