Be Italian
by Lena
To be able to taste and understand the real Italian life, one needs to get away, as far as possible, from the hustle and bustle of the over-exposed cities such as Rome, where you are offered guide books and menu’s in 10 languages.
Why the hell do all roads lead to Rome?! In my opinion, they should lead about 40 kilometers south of Rome…
To the beautiful peacefulness that is CORI and to all its surrounding beauty, that is Latina.
To those who don’t know, Cori is even older than Rome.
For 5 days, I have lived, laughed, ate and breathed like a true Italian, in my very own
La Dolce Vita…
( all photos of me are taken by Luana Thomas © DesignmediaSpa )
The real Italian life is very different from the one you see in Rome… Most people who come to Italy, for some strange reason, only go to “main” attractions…. why? That would be my question. Do you really think, that by snapping a picture by the over-crowded Trevi Fountain or sitting on your ass next to a Japanese tourist on The Spanish Steps, will give you a sense of Italy and all its magic? I only managed several hours in Rome… did not like it! In a few hours I got to see about 10 huge tourist groups with different colored flags, god forbid you get lost in Rome! Right?That would be the end of the world for some folks! Can you imagine those clowns in the jungle of Uganda?
Seeing these groups make me truly ill. Think I will give Rome another chance next time.. but it will be from 5am – 9am (only) I do have 1 Rome story for you ~ While Luana was taking a picture of me, eating gelato at the Spanish steps, 2 Korean gals approached me and asked “I’m sorry, can I please take a picture with you. You look so elegant and you look just like Audrey Hepburn in that film!” Of course I said ok. Luana took their camera, girl came over to me and we posed for the shot. Actually, strike that! The gal posed… I was too busy eating my gelato.
Who has a Rome story like that? I told Luana “You see, darling, I will never go hungry! I can put on my little black dress and pearls, buy a gelato and pose for photos.”… We laughed.
After about a few hours I couldn’t wait to escape this chaos and return to my peaceful little gem ~ Cori.
Remember I told you, that the most amazing Olive Oil I ever tried, was in Cori… Well, I’m not lying… It really is! ~ AGRICOLA DE SANTIS. You know you are an olive oil addict, when for a mid-day snack, you drown your fresh pieces of bread into a bowl of Olive Oil and savor it for about an hour with a glass of wine.
I loved standing by my own window in my apartment, enjoying my oil and watching life go by. The sounds of bells from the nearby Cathedral, the kids playing football and a waving hand from the opposite building’s window, made me feel as if I was a part of a true Italian life. This type of life goes way beyond a picture by the trevi fountain. It lifts you up from everything you thought Italy was and wraps you into a silky embrace of its passion. It surprises you with honest, pure and fleeting moments from big Italian hearts. Every time I find myself near over-exposed city in Italy, I frantically search for that quite little street corner or a hidden local fountain, by which I can once again, be taken to that place, where I was so happy…
But when you are truly accepted by a place, is when two local women notice that you, thankfully, put more clothes on yourself, than 2 days ago…
If you are looking for a true Italian trademark, such as Vespa, from “Roman Holiday” in Rome… you will be disappointed to find mostly new motorcycles and ferrrari’s..Good luck, trying finding Vespa in a chaotic, touristy, overcrowded and a sardine-packed Rome! However, my neighbor in Cori, owned his very own yellow Vespa…
Having a photo shoot in a small town like Cori is incredibly entertaining for locals. They took out their cellphones and tried snapping pictures without being too obvious…
But the moment when I realized that I have become a real resident of Cori, was when I was returning home from a grocery store. Since Cori is set within the hills, it’s not an easy walk up to the apartment. With every passing coblestone, you sense history and energy of this town. I masterfully walked up the hill with my bags and got lost in thoughts… Passed by a local poster that had a name “Filumena” within it’s title. This name reminded me of the main character in “Marriage Italian Style”, played by Film Icon, Sophia Loren. It happens to be one of my favorite films of all times and Ms. Loren is one of my favorite actors. As I was remembering some comedic moments from the film and laughing to myself, I get awaken back into reality by some car’s beeping sound… “am I taking too much of the road?” – thought to myself. Then the car leveled with me and I saw an older gentleman from the day before, whom lend his Vespa to Luana and I, for our photo shoot. He offered to give me a ride to my apartment. I thanked him, but declined. I didn’t want an easy way out… Italians don’t do “easy”.
And the cobblestones whispered… “BE ITALIAN…”
You can not be a true Italian and count calories! Our image-obsessed society of today, can go screw themselves! I’m gonna eat! I’m on a “see food diet”… I see food, I eat it! This is the reason I NEVER buy beauty magazines! Hollywood and the whole damn beauty industry can “Argo, Fuck Yourself” ! Women and young girls around the world become ill and some even die, because of a bunch of multi-billion dollar assholes, that dictate what a beautiful woman should look like, act like and fuck like. Italian women, god bless them, look and act feminine! Ladies, there’s NOTHING sexy about looking like a stick! When I look at some A-list Hollywood stars I wanna buy them a triple big mac and large french fries. I was relieved, that in Italy I was able to share food with people who don’t give a shit about how many calories they ate today!
Food in Italy is my most favorite love affair of all! I tried my very first Italian Pizza at Ristorante Pizzeria Vesuvio in Cori We went there with Luana and her family. The man who makes this incredible pizza is not only a fantastic cook, but also a piano virtuoso. Domenico Cuccarese is an incredibly talented artist! After dinner he entertained everyone by performing a few sets. I stood there by a piano, like I used to do when I was a little girl, listening to my father’s piano performances. There was a very funny moment that happened in that local Pizzeria… As we were sharing food, I kept hearing the door buzzer downstairs. “Why are they not letting people inside?” I asked. Luana broke down in laughter and said through tears “Elena, that’s not a door buzzer… that sound is to let them know that the order is ready” I haven’t laughed like that in a long time… When you are laughing through tears, while sharing the most delicious pizza and listening to some outstanding piano performance, you know, that this can not possibly get more Italian!
Or can it?
I was in for a big surprise! The next day, Luana invited me to her friend’s place for lunch. Little did I know, that on that very day, Italy would completely unveil itself to me, in the most deliciously unforgettable way! Have already tried the most amazing Olive Oil, but today I was given an opportunity to taste the most INCREDIBLE ITALIAN WINE!
I was introduced to the most welcoming and warm people! The De Gregorio Family! This was an unforgettable several hour lunch! We sat outside on the grass, savoring Italian and a couple Greek dishes and taken part in a wine tasting ceremony. I kicked my shoes off and ran barefoot on the grass under the spring rain. When you are in Latina, you must stop by this place and have lunch! Their wines and food are made with so much love, that you can easily detect it in every sip and in every bite.
We laughed, joked and ate!
I felt like I was a part of a family. It seemed that I knew Luana, Andrea, Alessandra, Andrea and Vladimiro all my life. It was really hard to top off this family lunch… but what followed was truly a mind-blowing experience. De Grigorio family invited me and Luana to an Italian fairytale! The place I was about to enter was a true Italian Heaven! It is hidden within Latina, the Lazio region of Italy. Not even every Italian knows about it. When Princess Diana was on her one and only visit to Italy, this was the place she came to. And I can see why.
It is by far, the most peaceful place I have ever stepped foot on.
Does heaven exist?
Yes, and the name of this heaven on earth is NINFA GARDENS…
While all tourists and 1 hour tour buses, swirling in a crazed routine, to see all the “must see” spots around Rome and standing in sardine-like lines to see coliseum, I was being embraced by nature and history of my very own slice of Heaven ~ Ninfa. The ancient town with all the wild nature that surrounds it. I’d rather spend my days in this heaven, than take “that stupid shot” by some leaning Italian building.
This was also the place where Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren had their photo shoot… and that’s where I also posed for a few shots…
Ninfa is were past & present become ONE…
How many people who visit Italy, can say that they tried their hand in a croissant-making fiasco at a local bakery?…
I’m a terrible cook! The shape of whatever it is that I made, most definitely doesn’t resemble a croissant…
But do you know how you can tell when you didn’t just visit, but actually LIVED in a country? When you meet people you know from one part of the country in the opposite one. I ran into Alessandra & Vladimiro from that wonderful lunch in Latina… in Lecce. Lecce is a gorgeous little town in Southern Italy, about 7 hours by train from Latina. I had only a few hours in Lecce before my departure to Florence. Alessandra & Vladimiro were stunned when they saw me in Lecce. We’ve spent about an hour and a half walking around Lecce together and I almost missed my train, because towns like Lecce, have countless hidden treasures… just around the corner.
Looking back at my time in Cori, Ninfa and Lecce, I can honestly say, that nothing will ever be as Italian as my time in those places.
And it’s not because of those towns alone… it’s because of people who live there and who have welcomed me into their families!
I’m honored to be a part of this Italian family!
I have breathed this Dolce Vita with my whole soul and I am forever grateful for being able to feel its pulse in my veins…
Today, I really do know, what it means to
BE ITALIAN!…
_____________________
Loved your post! I’ve never really been interested in Rome, but what you describe sounds wonderful
what I wrote here is NOT about Rome…
No, sorry! I meant, an area in lieu of going to Rome. Sorry, my computer posted before I finished typing. Still not super excited about Rome, more excited about Italy and countryside like you described. Cheers!
Fabulous as always, Elena
The trick with lovely Rome is to go in the off season and get up early. There are some wonderful things in the city.
i’ll do the off season sometime )
Amazing experience and photos. Thank you!
Fantastic and amazing! Is Italy now where you are living? PS- I’ve always wanted to do an Audrey Hepburn/Roman Holiday photo shoot on a Vespa…. And your photos came out beautifully!
I’m here for about a month.. then Switzerland and 10th in Barcelona, then traveling through France… and so on )
I do envy you. Thank you for sharing the world through your eyes… It’s so whimsical and FREE! How are you able to travel so much?
because i’m not able not to
Have you known since you can remember that this is what you want for your life?
i’ve never lived in 1 place for more than 2 years.. this is my “normal” .. having a permanent home, stability and a yearly cable subscription is abnormal to me.
Got it. You sure do live one incredible life. 🙂 I have instability too and it stems from a lifetime of instability…… It is definitely interesting….. But not quite as remarkable as you. Like I said, they are gonna make a movie about your life one day….
Bravo… bravo… shouted the crowd.
If you stumble, or even when you stumble, you are a gift with your honesty, your style and your unbridled enthusiasm. Each new moment is to be savored, licked, loved… and you exhibit the total you without having a hedonistic label. Carry on for us all!
thank you for this..
What a thrilling chapter added to your travels. You are so blessed! Ciao, Bella!
You’re the second coming of Sofia 🙂
I saw her in 2010 at the Golden Globes.. and I can assure you, that NO ONE is cable of being even close to Ms. Loren.. she is timeless! But thank you for the compliment!
Wonderful, maravilloso,
I’ve done a fair bit of travelling through ‘off the beaten track’ Italy, and it really is an intoxicating and vibrant country. There is so much difference between travelling and tourism
A truly fantastic piece and I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment regarding Italy and the curvaceous figure! The photographs are excellent, you are stunning and reading this has made me want to go back to Italy, really.
Lei è una rivelazione.
Oh how I miss being there. Great photos
Beautiful photos of your wonderful adventure – especially love the Vespa – so iconically Italian, n’est-ce pas?
I love your posts.
I too travel and write.
You are so young and beautiful.
Pasta and pizza does not do you any harm yet, and there is no problem when your hormones are still pumping iron.
People everywhere are now watching and waiting sadly for your next stumble, I hope it does not come soon.
May you always feel such strength in sharing all that you are doing.
I am in your court Elena.
Miles of smiles to you…
“People everywhere are now watching and waiting sadly for your next stumble, I hope it does not come soon.” – didn’t quite understand this part ..
Jealousy of the freedom lifestyle that you are living. I don’t watch TV, but I hear that people enjoy things like cars crashing, it makes it more interesting.
NOT!
My home country! Amazing food, wine and people! Visited my great grandparents home in Pennepiedemonte on the east coast… Amazing waking up to the Sunrise over the Adriatic Sea!,,
Beautiful pictures! I would have run away with the yellow Vespa, I think))
that exact thought has crossed my mind )
Meravigliosa….
Yes, you found the real Italy! It is the homeland of my ancestors, and when I travel there I feel like I have returned home. You eat all you want, but you walk everywhere and don’t gain weight – what a way to live! So glad you were able to experience it at its best!
Lovely post very well written and very nice Images.
Reminds me of ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ – only better!
i call that crap of a book “eat, pray, poop”… nothing happened to that woman!!! i have more crazy things happen to me in an hour , than she did in her whole boring year. she just had great PR.. to sell that crap to millions of people. she got divorced .. gosh, big deal! So do most people who get married! I really don’t get what was the big deal with that chick.. her 1 year in 3 countries are incredibly boring… my 1 week in Bali, while I was battling a serious illness is much more interesting, than her whole 3 months in that country. That crap of a book, just shows you that all you need these days, is good PR
wonderful. i love the pics. thanks for sharing.
Beautiful~ I’m Italian-American, but wish to go to Italy to find my routes and BE Italian (^_^)
grazie
Nice post. I also find Rome overcrowded with tourists. When I travel, I want the local experience…hear their language, eat their foods & know their culture. Have fun!
I enjoyed traveling with you and the photographs are superb. I don’t believe the part about traveling light – but oh how lovely the dresses are in contrast to the world’s ubiquitus blue jeans. Keep traveling, writing and sharing
Cheerio,
Jane
i can’t travel with more than a carry-on.. i got one rule – if you can’t carry it, leave it home. )
Love your post. Makes me want to book my plane tickets immediately. I think I will have to make wood fired pizza, drink some wine and be Italian tonight in little old Stanthorpe, Australia – “Little Italy” on the Granite Belt. Thank you for the inspiration.
So glad you are enjoying my country. Believe or ot, there are actually many parts of Rome you will find completely empty. Every year I rent an apartment in Venice and people ask me if the city isn’t unbearable because of too many tourists. They are like sheep, they get off the bus or the boat and all go the same places. And they miss the point of a city like Venice. The rest of it is surprisingly empty. Keep eating your way around Italy. It’s a straight shot to the heart of the country
Sorry for eavesdropping
this is a wonderful and beautiful post, indeed.
and Venice is what i really look up too. i really want to go there. more than Rome 🙂
please give me one incredible “non-tourist” spot in Venice that I should go to tomorrow! ; )
If you can, try and get a boat to Vignole. It’s a tiny little island where they farm vegetables and there is a modest fish restaurant on the beach; you order at the counter and you pick up the food then sit at a table right on the beach. You will feel a million miles away. In any case, stay away from S. Marco, Riva degli Schiavoni and that entire area. Walk around Canareggio, by the Jewish ghetto. I rent a flat in Dorsoduro. If you go to the Zattere at night (where Brodsky used to live by the way) and walk the whole length to S. Maria della Salute, you will have the island of Giudecca across the canal. It’s wonderful on a full moon! I sat many nights on the step of the churc (crowded during the day) and watched the hustle and bustle of San Marco with no one around it. For wonderful gelato, try Grom. Have fun!
thank you a million times! the weather has been real bad as of late in Italy .. but will try to have a great time just exploring.. will def. take those notes with me..
As soon as you step away from the tourist trail in Venice things become quiet, you find little coffee shops or bars and the world recedes to just the place. I had a great two days there, not visiting the usual haunts. Found a bookbinders making his own paper and notebooks. Took turns down ever narrower lanes.
Loved it.
Haha! That’s so cool! I got sooooo lost today in Venice!! )) agree about the little streets of Venice )
Wonderful photos and post.
[…] CORI… […]
Congratulations! I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine and Versatile Blogger Award!
I L-O-V-E your blog. Stay awesome and more power to you!
Just go this link: https://aprofessionaleavesdropper.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/sunshine-and-versatile-blogger-award/