Questa Italia

Have you ever heard of linkup? Neither had I…

That’s what I love about creating a blog; you get to learn and share all at the same time!

A linkup is a combination of all of my favourite things: collaboration, creativity, socializing and support for other writers! This particular link-up is hosted by 3 awesome ladies:

Kelly italianatheart.com,

Jasmine questadolcevita.com

Kristie mammaprada.com

It kicks off on the 7th of every month featuring Italy-centric topics. For the step by step instructions on how to get involved go here

To simply follow along check out #DolceVitaBloggers on Twitter and Insta!

JULY: My Dolce Vita

What makes my life a little sweeter? Well, that’s an easy one for me. Simply put, it’s passion.

I know, I know it sounds cliche but hear me out.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary passion is defined as: a very powerful feeling, for example of sexual attraction, love, hate,anger, or other emotion

Passion is what motivates me to be a more present lover / friend/ human, a more curious creator, a tireless writer and someone who has learned that time is my most precious commodity. It’s the difference between what is on the agenda this week to what will I choose in this moment.

Passion fills me with intention and sheds a golden beam of devotion into my projects. Even mopping the floor can be great if you do it at the right time of day with good music!

It wasn’t always this way.

I used to be motivated by silly things like how efficiently I was adhering to life’s (and other people’s) grande plan for me to be a boss at life instead of listening more intently to the universe’s quiet whisper to follow my natural impulses and lighten up a bit.

It took some time but the whispers grew into roars and now, even though I am an underemployed writer in Italy at 31, I wake up following that golden beam through the day while most of my friends are frantically planning weddings, mortgages, and promotions at lukewarm workplaces.

At first it was an adjustment, mostly focused on lowering my cortisol levels but then it dawned on me what will people think?

Well, I found out soon enough as people tried to contain  and contort their shocked faces into smiles when I told them I quit my stable full-time seemingly perfect job to move to Italy and be an Au Pair. You know that shrill octave one’s voice hits when they are masking their utter disbelief and confusion. I know it well. After a while it became more like a that ringing tone that happens when your ears pop.

Like the force of certain magnets repelling each other, I wasn’t even trying to stay and be conditioned by other people anymore. My passion took over and I took a flight.

So maybe it’s my Italian heritage but coming to Italy felt super right even with no job and no real, materially beneficial prospects.

When I left Toronto I had a face full of mysterious acne (I have never had more than one pimple at a time my whole life so it was a bit of a red flag) and had gained a few pounds.

By March it had cleared up and I was running routinely (a first) and practicing at-home yoga while immersing myself in this paradoxical wonderland of Italy where the people make time for everything. When they prepare a dish, it is so intentional that you can taste it! When it’s time to relax, the task is handled with this same level of commitment.

My passions run wild here with as my love of nature and creating are central to the culture. I am learning something new every day and it is worth more than any ‘work perk’ I can think of that I would get back home doing a mundane albeit ‘senior’ position.

I’m getting paid to write in the sunshine while I witness some of the most spectacular acts of nature imagineable. Since I’ve turned on to this path, I’ve been meeting like minded people and creating more opportunities that support this goal of intentional living. I am learning to sew and cook. I am learning how honey is made and how to properly pluck fresh basil from the garden.

I am learning how to master myself to avoid the panics I would often experience back at home when things didn’t seem to be working out as planned.

I guess to answer the question of what makes life sweet, to me it is passion for connection; connection to yourself and of course, connection to the right kind of people. Pretending to be anyone or holding back on what makes  you shine to appease others is not in vogue as far as I’m concerned.

Instead, let’s be full-on and amplify the parts of us that we love and are yet somewhat still a mystery. Let’s make exploratory messes gleefully. Then, prepare to attract the very opportunities and people that are our vibrational match and try to be aware enough to appreciate them and tell them so. This is how we build the momentum.

If you forget everything else for just a little while, you will see just how sweet life can really be.

JUNE: Italy’s Hidden Gems: Gola Del Furlo

This topic is coming at the right time because Furlo is MY PLACE in June since I have made it a tradition to picnic there with my Italian Stallion for my birthday on the years when we’re here in Italia. Last weekend we took it one step farther and camped out overnight and it was even MORE magical than a regular old day visit. I saw two shooting stars!! From this hammock!

Never wanting to leave.

Located in the Province of Pesaro Urbino in Le Marche region of Italy (a hidden gem in itself) this natural park is an absolute favourite for locals. Besides the obvious natural wonder that is the limsestone Gorge with its pristine aqua coloured water flowing through it – there is also an ancient Roman passageway.  That’s right, a hand constructed Roman tunnel in the middle of awe inspiring nature! You can walk through it and feel like you’re in a time machine touching the walls that were constructed in the year 538 during the gothic war. Casual..

If history isn’t your bag, fear not! You can take a swim in the river, or breathe in the freshest of air by taking a hike / drive up to the top for a once in a lifetime panoramic view of the surrounding hills that Le Marche is known for.

If you visit Furlo between April and September you’re in for a real  treat…

On the grounds of the park, you can enjoy THE best piadina and wash it down with legit German beers under a canopy of trees at Chiosco dell’Abbazia. I had a hard time believing that the best piadina  (a favourite food of mine) could exist within my most beloved natural park (it’s just too good to be true!) but after sampling it for the first time this past weekend and meeting the humble, 3rd generation purveyor Giuseppe who has been building his piadina picnic park for over 40 years, I can tell you it is the absolute BEST piadina. While I have your attention, let’s discuss what piadina is because if you don’t live in this region, you could easily miss it…

via:ricettaidea

I am using a stock photo because I ate mine way too eagerly on Sunday but Piadina is Italian streetfood that originated in its Emilia-Romagna region. When I urged my bestie  visiting Italy to look it up she remarked that it looks “like an Italian taco.”  (Editor’s note: please, do not cause harm to an Italian’s heart and soul by describing it this way as my boyfriend sucked the air out of the room with a dramatic gasp when I relayed this description).

Piadina is an ancient tradition  with the first documented piadina dating back as far as 1371 – that’s some serious streetcred for streefood. Typically it is a hot, chewy flat bread that holds within it fresh ingredients of your choosing like salami, prosciutto, vegetables and all the best Italian cheeses. Craving a dessert? Just slab some Nutella on there and call it a day. In addition to the hidden gem of Furlo, Piadina is also a hidden gem of Italy.

Okay, back to the nature.

The onsite campgrounds are beautiful, peaceful and well-maintained. They are not overly crowded at this time of year and though it is a relatively small area, everyone had ample space to enjoy the surroundings. Generally the other campers were friendly and accommodating and I witnessed for the first time ever, Italian boy scouts. As I watched a 10 year old boy lop down half a tree for firewood effortlessly with an axe, I realized that I am what you would call an amateur camper. Regardless of skill-level, this campground provides everything you need for a quaint stay by the river for a very low cost! The campsite bathrooms were cleaner than most public washroom I’ve seen back home and even boasted a foot bath. Impressive!

So there you have it, it’s out in the open now. I am protective of this peaceful haven so just remember if you visit, to clean up after yourself and keep the good vibes going!!

MAY: My 5 Fav Italian Phrases

1. Dimmi Tutto or tell me everything 

   I love this expression because it’s used by everyone from the bar man first greeting you to the beginning of soulful conversation with a friend. I like it because it implies immediate intimacy and embodies a big part of the culture that is so different from North America – that there is time for everything.

2. Una Vita or one life 

   The first time I heard this it was from my boyfriend’s father who was describing how it felt like we had all known each other for a long time, even if we were just getting to know each other for the first time. It’s like the Italian, more romantic way of saying ‘one love’ and implies universal connectedness.

3. ‘ehh’ or strong affirmation

   If you haven’t heard an Italian say ‘ehh’ with a slight shrug of the shoulders in a conversation, then you haven’t been in Italy very long. Since it is more of a sound than an actual word, it is used to punctuate a feeling of extreme affirmation. It’s like saying ‘that’s exactly what I said/ mean / feel / think.’

4. Aperitivo or appetizer / adult snack time

   The best time of the day and a focal point in Italian culture. Aperitivo is that time of day most North Americans would refer to as ‘happy hour’ or ‘snack time’ but in true Italian fashion it’s more sophisticated and involves better food. Essentially around 6 or 7 pm every day if you order an alcoholic beverage, it will  be accompanied by snacks: usually a variety of meats and cheeses, olives and crostini. I can’t confirm entirely, but I think this is where the idea behind ‘appetizers’ on every menu ever in America originated. It’s intended as a social event before your dinner.                           

5. Porco boia or pig executioner 

   It’s not even an exaggeration to say that everything to do with Italians involves food or animals. I’m heavily considering doing a part 2 to this post involving the 5 key Italian idioms, all of which involve animals and/or food for complex topics like jealously, laziness and eating.  That said in Italy, porco is a very bad word meaning pig or swine. It is used in a series of blasphemies which in their deadliest state involve holy members of the church. One wouldn’t be caught dead using these blasphemies unless in a very precarious scenario or totally by accident. The introduction to many lesser offensive words were introduced to replace said blasphemies so that Italians can check themselves before they wreck themselves. Like porco porta (pig door) or porca miseria (pig misery!) I like porco boia because it’s so old skool that it’s intended against the town executioner.

There you have it! My fav Italian words (for now)…