Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Expat Countdown Meme

Ok, I have to first admit, I have no idea what a “meme” is...but I am following in the footsteps of my fellow fabulous bloggers,
Bleeding Espresso and Cherrye in Calabria, with my list:

Name 5 things you love in your new country:

1. It’s natural, architectural, and even historical beauty
2. How many interesting places you visit in such a short distance
3. Il vino (Vermentino to Morellino di Scansano, just yummy)
4. The beautiful sea & secret coves near my home (see photo below!)
5. My husband (he counts, right?!)

Name 4 things that you miss from your native country:

1. Family & friends, just like everyone else
2. One stop shopping at Target
3. Mexican & Thai food
4. Gyms opening early in the AM

Name 3 things that annoy you a bit (or much) in your new country:

1. Lines at the Post Office
2. Not enough places open all day or Sundays (still bugs me 4 1/2 years later)
3. Way too many “post-game” soccer shows (and I love soccer!)

Name 2 things that surprise you (or have surprised you in the beginning) in your new country:

1. How difficult it has been to get to know Italian women as friends - you nailed it Bleeding Espresso!
2. How decent the medical system has been, at least in my own personal experiences

Name 1 thing that you would terribly miss in your new country, if you had to leave it:

1. Considering this would never happen without Lui (who would be the natural #1), I would have to say it’s just the feeling I wake up with every morning knowing this is my home now and that I learn more about it each day.

5 comments:

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

So happy you played along!

I've had pretty decent experiences (even good) with the medical system as well, and your last answer? That was actually my first instinct in response to that question but I remember saying it before on my blog somewhere and I like to mix things up ;)

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Ah, also, sorry that you're able to agree on the making friends with women thing.

Megan in Liguria said...

It's a strange thing as I am a very open person. Maybe that's the problem! :) No, really it has gotten better with time. La Spezia/Liguria is pretty notorious for being "chiuso" so I imagine this has something to do with it as well...by the way, what is a meme???

Cherrye said...

Wow! That is an amazing picture! WOW!!! I'm glad you joined in. Michelle brought this meme back to life. I think some of my answers would be different, even now.

And, I agree with ya'll on the friends with Italian women thing. There are some Italian women I really like, but I don't consider them good "friends"...not yet, anyhow!

BTW - there is a whole "story" on memes here http://thedailymeme.com/what-is-a-meme/, but basically it is a set of questions that you pass around the blogosphere. Or, at least, that's my definition! :-)

bblogger said...

This is a beautiful entry...and very honest! I will have to keep in mind that the women can be a bit hard to get to know (for when I eventually DO make the transition).

Thank you. :)