Packing a box a day keeps the stress away! I hope! Yesterday it was two boxes full of kitchen items as well as dismantling and wrapping a sofa bed. Of course the sofa bed was Hubby’s work, not mine, he is going great guns too. We want to make sure there are no last minutes surprises. We realized yesterday that during the course of our marriage we’ve made four international moves, but only two local moves. The local moves are more difficult I think. It is another very hot day, not complaining, love the summer. As we drove back from Lanciano with the car windows open this morning, I noticed the beautiful smell of flowers in the air, it’s one of the things I love about the Italian countryside, the smell of flowers.
After a little more packing, we wandered up to the bar, where I enjoyed my first Aperol Spritz of the year. Wonderful! Mirella, who runs Bar for You, makes the best Spritz’s. Now I think it’s time to call it a day and relax. A film tonight me thinks. Tomorrow? Colinetta with a few good friends for a delicious Abruzzo lunch.
Photo’s above are of my truly packed up house followed by lovely pictures of my daughter in Maui. She’s on vacation with my son-in-law and his family. Looks like fun!
Here I am, enjoying retirement in the country I’ve been in love with my whole life. Can’t be bad! However, it’s time to file my taxes. UGH! Can you feel my pain. There are American Taxes and Italian Taxes to deal with. We’re definitely not doing it ourselves, wouldn’t know where to start. It’s probably not going to be cheap either, but it has to be done. Why is the whole world afraid of the Taxman? Not to worry, I’ll take another sip of my excellent wine, that costs a tenth of the price I’m used to paying in the US, and erase it from my mind.
The village is beautiful by day or by night. I wish these photographs could tell me about it’s history. Folks who have lived here their whole lives are eager to share their stories and have so much to tell. My mastery of the Italian language isn’t good enough to take it all in yet, but I’m learning. Soon I’ll be able to talk to the people who’s stories have been passed down through generations. As my Italian improves I will share their stories with you!
Well here I am! Been talking about it and planning it for three years, but never really thought it would happen! I’m RETIRED! In my head I thought I’d leave the US in a blaze of glory. I’d planned on hosting a leaving party at my local bar for a few close friends, but COVID came along and stopped that! The two wonderful folks I supported at Western Union, hosted a small, safe, socially distancing party, which was absolutely wonderful. I was able to say goodbye to a few close friends who’d made a difference in my life. I had to fight back the tears as they said lovely things about me…were they really talking about me? I almost stood up and said STOP, I’ve changed my mind…I’m staying, but here I am, thousands of miles away in Southern Italy. I miss my daughter, and I miss my friends, but I know they understand I needed a quieter, more relaxed life. I’m very lucky to be able to follow my dreams. More stories to come.
It’s been a while since I wandered the cobbled streets of Colledimezzo.
Three months in fact
So much has happened
The world has changed
Can’t wait to be back
It’s been a while since I gazed on the mountains and tree covered hills of Abruzzo
But the memory is so strong
I smell the scent of woodsmoke and fresh mountain air
And meatballs and spaghetti and lamb and sweet delights
Can’t wait to be back
It’s been a while since I hugged my friends in Colledimezzo
Enjoyed their laughter
Reveled in their kindness
Enjoyed their warm hospitality
I’ll be back as soon as I can
It’s been a while since I blogged. I’ve been back from Abruzzo for one week now, but my heart is still there. I didn’t leave the way of life behind, but brought it with me, in the cooking especially. I miss the simple, flavorful food so, I make it here in the US.
It doesn’t taste quite as good because the produce isn’t as fresh, but it will get me by until I return.
No need to add any more to my retirement blog this week! This article says it all!
Colledimezzo is among the 20 most beautiful cities in Italy on Skyscanner
The travel search engine has announced the list of the 20 most beautiful cities for 2019: the small town in the province of Chieti among the places of undisputed beauty, to be inspired for the next trip out of town
Colledimezzo is among the 20 most beautiful cities in Italy on Skyscanner
An oasis of peace that saw its birth around the tenth century, Colledimezzo owes much of its fortune to the wild and lush nature of the Val di Sangro, which we recommend exploring through interesting trekking routes. But before getting lost in the green of Abruzzo you must get to know this mountain village closely dominated by a basilica in which a magnificent painting was found depicting “The Madonna with Child, Saint Francis of Assisi and the client” by Tanzio da Varallo … yes, one of the greatest Italian artists of the Seventeenth century! The church in question is that of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, a hidden wonder of our Peninsula. After a walk in the center and a salute to the Palazzo d’Avalosandate to find Lake Bomba and take a souvenir photo “you can read in the list published by Skyscanner.“
I’d like to add to this article by saying the folks who live in Colledimezzo are the warmest people I have ever met. They are helpful, friendly and welcoming. So glad we bought a home here. We can retire and relax in tranquility.
We discovered Abruzzo in August 2017. My husband tasked my daughter and I with finding a house on whirlwind three day trip. (Quite exhausting from the USA). We didn’t really know what to expect.
Abruzzo was introduced to us by hotel staff in various hotels in and around Rome. The comments always went like this: Abruzzo is beautiful, but there is no work, which is why I move to Rome/Milan/Florence.
We’d been looking to buy a home in Italy for a while, a place to retire, so work wasn’t important to us. What we wanted was tranquility, beauty, genuine people and a reasonably priced economy. We found it all in the beautiful little hillside village of Colledimezzo.
Bomba (above) is typical of the towns and villages in the area. Unspoiled beauty that makes you feel you’re stepping back in time. Not quite ready to retire yet, but when we do, I think life here will be treat us well.
I’ve enjoyed two delicious lunches at Trabocco Pesce Palombo in Fossacesia. One recently in April, and one a couple of years ago, in late August, when we found our little piece of heaven in Abruzzo.
We return to our lovely home in Colledimezzo in July so I decided to try a different trabocco this time, and I’m very excited. These wonderful seafood restaurants are so busy that even now, I couldn’t make a weekend reservation. Full until August. We’re on vacation, a weekday is just fine.
I’ll send photos of the food!
Travel Tales and Mishaps 