Italian Struggles

So there are actually four of us on this Italian journey of retirement.  The Stoic One, me, Joseph and Paul. After we bought our apartment in Umbertide, Joseph and Paul said it was their retirement dream to live in Italy too, and so they decided to buy an apartment and retire to Umbertide.  Each of us is having our own Italian retirement adjustment experience.

The four of us can all blame or credit this couple.

This is Edward, Lorraine and you know who. Several years ago, Lorraine told me she was looking at property in Italy to buy.  I said you're crazy, property in Italy is too expensive.  She said no, it isn't you just have to know where to look.  Then she told me one of her friends was applying for Italian citizenship, and the rest, as they say, is history.

So Lorraine and Edward were here over the week end to say good by.  We were both sad and nostalgic remembering the time we had worked together many years ago. We have been friends for 30 years. I told her it was her fault that I was moving to Italy.  She said, I never thought you would actually DO THIS.  Sigh.  So I am here in Ventura by myself with Mr. Luca. My adjustment continues to be learning patience and waiting.

In the meantime, the Stoic One is in Italy unloading our things.  First, the shocking news.  The delivery was supposed to happen at 8:30 Monday morning, and at 8:30 the semi truck showed up in the Piazza! The actual delivery is an epic story that needs a video.  Suffice it to say, everything arrived safely, and the Stoic one is busy unpacking.

Joseph is right, the room is now too crowded. Those yellow chairs are going to have to go into the living room.  The TV does not look as bad as I thought it would.  It doesn't look as big, thank god! Once we put the yellow chairs in the living room and put down a rug and buy some lamps, this room will be done!  That's one.

My sister will be happy to know that her bedroom furniture showed up in one piece.

It fits.  Hurrah!

So the four of us are having different journeys.  Paul is back in the US doing work.  He is a vet in San Francisco, and decided to come back for the month of August to work.  He wishes he were back in Italy. He has adjusted well to living in Italy, although is frustrated by the normal things.  He is from Michigan, like me and talks to everyone and has made many friends.  His interactions have been limited by his lack of language.  His Italian is slowly improving and he really wants to learn to speak it well. The language is Paul's struggle.

Joseph is missing me and Paul. He gets very frustrated with the "over promise under deliver" Italian style, but is working on acceptance. He keeps thinking that if he reiterates his expectations that will effect the outcome.  Needless to say.....Acceptance is still off in the future. It is his struggle.

I am still waiting for Oct. 1 to get there but trying to live in the moment and enjoy my time here. I have always been future oriented so it is so hard for me to be in this present moment.  I know that Italy will teach me that but it is VERY hard for me.  Being Here Now, as Ram Dass said, is my struggle.

The Stoic one is in Italy working his ass off unpacking. He is working on his Italian but doesn't seem to frustrated with himself.  He has always been in the moment and accepting.  I really don't know what his struggle is... Maybe the 3 of us?