Friday, October 16, 2009

GRATITUDE FRIDAY: Ladies Lunch


Sounds silly, but it is important, especially in a country where ladies don't often “do lunch” (ok, the big cities are a little different but not that much...).  When I first moved here and for about 2 years after that, I was quite lonely and perplexed but not having made a circle of friends like I had in the states (I know many of you expat in Italy girls can relate to this).  It took awhile to find and build friendships, but it finally happened.  And maybe because of the “challenge” it was, I appreciate just the concept of “ladies lunch” even more.


After 5 days sick in bed and probably all around exhausted after a long season, I was feeling less than “up for” a ladies lunch.  But I wasn’t about to cancel, no way.  Three hours of bonding, laughs and just a little wine, was just what the doctor ordered.


I am so grateful to finally have girlfriends nearby to do ladies lunch. Salute!

9 comments:

Cathi said...

that is wonderful! girlfriends are important in our lives! enjoy!

Diana Strinati Baur said...

I don't get jealous often, as you know, but I was a teensy bit jealous yesterday. :) This is really one of the things that I do miss, just a little girl's time to do something nice -- like we do when we are together. It's something special. I am over my jealousy now, and am just plain happy for you, darling!!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

I agree, Ladies Lunches are very, very important!

buon weekend.

Rebecca said...

Sounds like a great way to spend the day and oh, so necessary!

mrs. cugliani said...

just curious, are these italian girlfriends or expat girlfriends? i've been living in umbria for almost 10 years and haven't met a local lunch bunch yet. maybe i need to move!

rosasdolcevita said...

I found it comforting to read this post - I'm not the only person who feels that way. When I lived in Regensburg, I made friends quickly through some German classes I had taken, but I just moved to another city in Germany about 3 months ago and I haven't really found my circle of friends yet. I think it will take some time. Thanks for sharing your experience ... made me feel better that it will happen. :-)

Unknown said...

This is so important! I recently started a 'ladies night' with a slow to start circle of girlfriends--one Italian, one Bulgarian, one Ecuadorian and the token American--me! It has really changed my life here and I too feel such gratitude.

Saretta said...

I so agree with you! Going out with my girlfriends is so important to my sanity here, be it our monthly book club meetings, Tuesday coffee morning or various interspersed get-togethers. Interesting comment by Silvia. I have been here for 17 years (!) and all my best friends are foreigners.

Diane said...

I've never done "lunch with the girls" here in rural Italy--lunch is still a big, family meal (kids are off from school at 1:30). The most I've been able to arrange with one Italian girlfriend is going out for a cup of tea and sitting on a local piazza for an hour during the afternoon. I've got to push for more, because, yes, girlfriend relationships are very important.