I do admit that I will never drive by a sign for the little-known town of Avezzano without being reminded of Italy's endless capacity to create unexpected problems and even more unlikely solutions.
Argh-- I know that nightmare. Surprised it's happening in June though. Usually that's a Ferragosto phenomenon. Last trip to Italy in May we were driving all over the place-- at one point, a tanker truck exploded on the A1. That was good for an hour long delay. Exciting theatre though. You know it's a bad traffic jam when the Italians start getting out of their cars and setting up lunch on the hood. Hang in there!!! Hope you find your meatball. Can't wait to see you guys!
Thanks so much!!! Really appreciate the kind words! An Emmy would be pretty amazing-- I was just hoping maybe L'Osteria di Corrado would send me some more meatballs :) Thanks again for your support!
Bravo! Che storia! Like listening to “This American Life,” only, well, Italian, of course. I so agree about problems getting creatively solved in Bella Italia. I don’t eat meat, so the epiphany provided by the polpette della nonna didn’t resonate 🤣, but I have been similarly heartened and comforted by some mighty fine melanzane parmigiana. Thanksfully, not after an electric car debacle…just the usual missed/wrong train type thing. Grazie mille for the entertainment! Best to Cheryl, and I look forward to your next report…
Thanks so much! I would definitely trust the healing powers of a melanzane parmigiana-- thankfully the Italians seems to specialize in comfort food. Hope all is well with you!
The dream is trickier than it seems :) We're hoping to move full-time to Italy, but it's proving more challenging than we anticipated. Struggling to sell the NYC coop, working through visa issues, searching for an apartment to rent in Rome (we're hoping to split our time between Rome and the house in the countryside). As you said, definitely not the kind of problems that should engender any sympathy. But they're a bit vexing at the moment. Good news is, we're heading to Italy on Thursday for a couple of weeks. So we can fret about it over there instead of here. Saugerties is great-- such a cool community. Glad you're doing well. Thanks so much for your support of the Substack!
Yea-- kind of amazing the technological stumbling blocks that arise. It's never the big things-- it's the small stuff that kills you. Now that everything needs two-step authorization, it's a nightmare.... Hope all is well with you!
Perfect messaging for the De Simones who just happen to be stuck right now in hours-long traffic on the A11 to Lucca (on what should have been a quick drive!) Perhaps meatballs are in our future today!? 🤞🏻Thanks for keeping us entertained. The boys loved it!
Argh-- I know that nightmare. Surprised it's happening in June though. Usually that's a Ferragosto phenomenon. Last trip to Italy in May we were driving all over the place-- at one point, a tanker truck exploded on the A1. That was good for an hour long delay. Exciting theatre though. You know it's a bad traffic jam when the Italians start getting out of their cars and setting up lunch on the hood. Hang in there!!! Hope you find your meatball. Can't wait to see you guys!
Thanks so much!!! Really appreciate the kind words! An Emmy would be pretty amazing-- I was just hoping maybe L'Osteria di Corrado would send me some more meatballs :) Thanks again for your support!
Thanks so much! Next time you visit, just make sure we don't come to pick you up in a Fiat500E :)
Bravo! Che storia! Like listening to “This American Life,” only, well, Italian, of course. I so agree about problems getting creatively solved in Bella Italia. I don’t eat meat, so the epiphany provided by the polpette della nonna didn’t resonate 🤣, but I have been similarly heartened and comforted by some mighty fine melanzane parmigiana. Thanksfully, not after an electric car debacle…just the usual missed/wrong train type thing. Grazie mille for the entertainment! Best to Cheryl, and I look forward to your next report…
Thanks so much! I would definitely trust the healing powers of a melanzane parmigiana-- thankfully the Italians seems to specialize in comfort food. Hope all is well with you!
Al good Sir. Living the country life in Saugerties. NY these days. Not quite Italy, but closer to my kids!
So have you committed fully to living over there, or do you still have a place Stateside? You're living my dream....
Fondly, Paul
The dream is trickier than it seems :) We're hoping to move full-time to Italy, but it's proving more challenging than we anticipated. Struggling to sell the NYC coop, working through visa issues, searching for an apartment to rent in Rome (we're hoping to split our time between Rome and the house in the countryside). As you said, definitely not the kind of problems that should engender any sympathy. But they're a bit vexing at the moment. Good news is, we're heading to Italy on Thursday for a couple of weeks. So we can fret about it over there instead of here. Saugerties is great-- such a cool community. Glad you're doing well. Thanks so much for your support of the Substack!
Ah, first world problems... We have this over here as well:)
Yea-- kind of amazing the technological stumbling blocks that arise. It's never the big things-- it's the small stuff that kills you. Now that everything needs two-step authorization, it's a nightmare.... Hope all is well with you!
Yet another charming and heart warming adventure...charming and heart warming like your friendship!!
This is awesome. I feel like you should submit this to win an Emmy.
Perfect messaging for the De Simones who just happen to be stuck right now in hours-long traffic on the A11 to Lucca (on what should have been a quick drive!) Perhaps meatballs are in our future today!? 🤞🏻Thanks for keeping us entertained. The boys loved it!