This months photo comes from our new chickens. Several already laying, we’ve eaten many and given gifts to our Italian friends.
Immigration
This is a big milestone. George receives his PdS, which allows advancement of other things we need. The PdS is one of the keys that allow you to truly live in Italy unimpeded, very different from our tourist/non-resident status. Now we can advance participation in the Italian healthcare system, securing the larger tractor purchase, formalizing our town of residency, activating trash pickup and so on. So we go forward with George’s new status, but of course Mark’s lags behind as the spouse. Maybe 30-45 days out.
Property
Busy busy. This month we focused on maintenance, preparing for summer fruit, planted basil and tomato, fixing a broken fence, resolving a water pump issue, preparing for pool opening, dealing with power outage(s), chickens, compost, water storage construction, upcoming kitchen renovation, cooking…on and on. Photos reflect some of the goings on this month. We also had some pretty dramatic weather with a few thunderstorms (including lightning) and even some hail.
Piglets on parade
A video of several baby cinghiale (wild boar) as I approached on the tractor. No parents in site, I’m sure the little gang was up to no good. On a separate occasion, we were both wandering near the edge of the property and heard some grunting sounds in the nearby brush, and moments later there was a parade of cinghiale emerging and trotting along the end of the brush and down into the ravine, including several adults.
Cinco de Mayo
Being from Los Angeles and loving Mexican food, we thought it might be clever to try and recreate a meal in Italy in celebration of this auspicious day. Better said than done.
First challenge is to find things. The COOP market is our standard, luckily they have an International Kiosk on an end cap. Yes, this is all you get.
Not really horrible, but lacking. We manage to put together something similar including margaritas.
It was a fun attempt, but can’t quench our memories of home.
Chickens have arrived
6 hens and a rooster now live at the house. We built a solid solution for them in the stables, so we set out to buy some chickens.
Not having done it here, we asked for help from our property manager (common occurence). She recommended a place and met us there to assist.
They showed us chickens in a catalogue. He then took us over to his property to show some in person. Loving the friendly vibe.
We agreed and placed the order. They would arrive at his store the following week.
We picked them up easily and drove home. Unboxed everyone and turned them loose in the coop. During the 30 minute drive home one managed to lay an egg in her crate.
Each day they settle in a little more. We are already getting 3-4 eggs per day from those laying. They don’t have any names yet and we are still matching the breed title on the crates with the actual photo, so tune in later for more.
So far we are on track. Here’s a link to the flock profile: Chickens of Colonnetta
Language
Italian language is both beautiful and frustrating. We like to laugh at the contrast of how Italians speak their beautiful language at such a rapid clip (which makes it difficult for language learners to keep up in conversations), while many other aspects of Italian life seem to go much more slowly than Americans are accustomed to.
The use of context to determine a word’s definition is classic Italian. As George and I continue our language paths, we can’t help but share the challenges. George’s teacher frequently reminds him that Italian is a based on a combination of ancient languages (Latin, Greek, Celtic & Arabic), so there may not be any obvious connection to the English translation of a word.
“Allora” is one of the most versatile and frequently used words in Italian, and its popularity comes from its flexibility in conversation. Here’s why it’s used so much:
1. Filler Word (Like “So…” in English) It helps speakers buy time or transition while thinking:
Italian: Allora… vediamo cosa possiamo fare.
English: So… let’s see what we can do.
2. To Summarize or Conclude. Used to wrap up or lead into a result:
Hai studiato molto. Allora, sei pronto per l’esame.
You studied a lot. So, you’re ready for the exam.
3. To Get Attention or Start a Conversation, often the first word in a sentence:
Allora, come va?
So, how’s it going?
4. Expressing Impatience or Urgency. Tone-dependent:
Allora?!
Well?! (impatient—waiting for someone to speak or act)
5. Historical Meaning
Literally, it means “at that time” — still used in storytelling:
Allora, vivevamo in campagna.
Back then, we lived in the countryside.
So Italians love “allora” because it’s natural, expressive, and flexible — a perfect fit for the rhythm of Italian conversation.
Another common word that relies heavily upon context is “piano.” Here are just a few examples of what it can mean:
Olive Tree Maintenance
Another project under our belt. This is normally an annual task of trimming down the olive trees. It promotes new growth and helps prevent disease, and because the trees hadn’t been pruned in 5+ years it’s a much larger job this year.
It goes in three phases, cutting, collecting and burning. The cutting phase goes pretty well, a couple guys with tools were out for several days and pretty soon all of them were carved up. The collecting became a little more challenging. Being able to collect large and small branches from across several portions of the property proved difficult. Ultimately they rented a truck and got it done over several days. The last phase, the burn was pretty quick. As they drag back branches, another person is tending to the very large fire. They have a water hose nearby in case it gets out of hand. The final pile of ash is still smoking a week later.
Emergency Room Visit
After managing to navigate life as an adult without any serious injuries requiring a visit to the ER, George hurt his finger when a large package of 1.5 liter bottles of water snapped out of his grasp after the handle broke, resulting in the last joint of his finger bending downwards. Dreading the likelihood of long waits on uncomfortable chairs at the local ER, it turned out to be a quick in/out, with a brief examination, 2 x-rays, and a doctor stating that there were no fractures or damage to the ligament. A couple of days later he started to question whether the recommended treatment of ice and pain reliever would result in a full recovery of the fingertip. So, he contacted a telemedicine outfit here that offers English speaking medical professionals, and the next morning an orthopedic surgeon confirmed that the finger needed to be in a proper brace full-time for 6 weeks. He reviewed the x-ray report and discharge summary from the hospital and concluded that it would likely fully recover. Still about 4.5 weeks to go…
We’ve lived here 6 months
We moved to Italy back in November after selling most of our belongings and our home. That puts us at just about 6 months. Now for those of you who are following the blog closely, there were some exile periods in there, but we think the move date is still important. Looking back 6 months, it’s been exciting, worrisome, humorous, exhausting and magical. We have learned to never assume things, always confirm the understanding. Neither of us has regretted a moment or our decision. As we say daily, it’s an adventure and it has proven this time and time again.
Motorcycle guy
In the small town where we live, in Colonnetta di Prodo, motorcyclists use the windy roads on weekends to master their racing competition skills.
It’s not uncommon to see the them lined up at Stefano’s, the local bar. We often have them tailing us waiting to go around, or they are coming straight at us in the opposite direction.
On a beautiful clear Sunday they were everywhere. As we pulled off to our white road, three of them had pulled over staring at their phones. As we drove up, one approached us asking if we are from here. Now to say this guy was hot would be an understatement. Full motorcycle leather top to bottom. Shaggy curly dark hair, and a Hollywood smile that could be a dangerous weapon. We quickly surmise they are looking for a local restaurant. We don’t know of any in our immediate vicinity. He smiles again, and in perfect English thanks us and goes back to his bike.
George and I both react the same way as we drive away, with a “Huh…” and a smirk.
Tips for traveling to Italy
One aspect that anyone who may be up for visiting Italy will have to navigate is finding flights that will hopefully make the journey not too unpleasant or uncomfortable. George has a knack for finding flights either through mileage points (airlines, or Amex/Chase/Citi), or through discounted “fare sales” that the airlines occasionally offer. It is a long journey, even if you can get a nonstop flight to Rome, so comfort is important especially on the long overnight flight from the US to Europe. Going forward, we will spend a little time sharing some of the strategies that George uses to keep us in comfort in the “pointy end” of the plane, usually in business class. We will also offer some strategies for finding hotels and rental cars for less than the usual published rates. If you have questions in this lane, please post in the comments section.
Thats it for May, Ciao Ciao!!
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