The Italian Diaries: What a Random Week in Expat Life Actually Looks Like

This week did not include the golden hour Aperitivo shots or the perfectly lit piazza. This week involved Ranger needing an eye specialist, me borrowing a friend’s car, hauling lanterns home from the mercatino, and standing in a chicken coop at 8am thinking that 5 years ago me wouldn’t believe this is my life. I also spent a lot of time thinking about what the full time Italy version of me needs to be…

My friend went out of town this week and asked me to look after her chickens and since she left me her car of course I was happy to do it. There is a TikTok if you want the full picture but let’s just say caring for farm animals was not on my resume.

I noticed Ranger’s eye got swollen and after a visit to the vet, we had to visit the Oculista (eye specialist.) It turned out that his eye glands are clogged and he is now on medication and eye ointments…for 45 days. It wasn’t my first time at the vet clinic, yet still I get shocked when it’s time to pay. The first visit was 20 euro. The specialist was 90 euro. My U.S. vet costs $75 and the eye specialist is $350 just to walk through the door. Just goes to show how much vet cost are overinflated in the U.S.

The system works differently here too. There are no appointments, instead it’s first come first serve. I’m convinced the Italians just love chaos. Every chance they have to simplify or organize a process, they go the other way. The waiting room was its own experience. A guy came in with a lab who was barking and lunging and wearing a collar so loose the dog slipped right out of it. He did not seem particularly concerned. I minded my business but I will say that the particular breed of oblivious pet owner is not unique. They are everywhere and Italy is not exempt.

Having a car this week meant I actually had some freedom, but I felt pressure to go try to get as much done as possible. I made it to my favorite Mercatino del Usato about 20 minutes away, and came home with some bits for my Mom’s house, as well as some new artwork and lanterns for my rooftop terrace. I hit some other stores and found planters and solar lights. It’s been hard to really work on the terrace since I am not always here to maintain it, but I’m getting started on the vision and when I am back in September I will see it through. I did have someone come to give me an estimate on a pergola roof, I’m still waiting on that.

I spent some more time on the inside decor. I decided I hated the wall plates (previously mentioned here) off center so I changed them and my brain is much happier. I also hung the art work I got in my bedroom. Most of the art in this house is flower themed and this is intentional. I want the space to feel feminine, whimsical and cozy. I added some sconces to the living room artwork as well. It really added balance and gave the old world European vibe I love but in a modern way.

I also installed a medicine cabinet in my bathroom. For the last year I’ve gone back and fourth on whether or not I was going to. Italians don’t do medicine cabinets, or bathroom storage of any kind really. It’s baffling to me. But when I had some acid reflux one night and forgot I had Pepcid AC because my medicine is stored in a box and it was buried underneath everything, I said enough is enough. I have come to the realization, in order to live in another country comfortably and successfully, it is essential to have the things that make your life feel normal, even if it’s not normal in that culture. For me this week it was medicine cabinet.

Here is something else that has been sitting with me this week though. Now that the visa is approved and fall is when this becomes permanent and full time, I am trying to figure out what that actually looks like day to day. Right now I am two very different people depending on which country I am standing in. In Florida I am focused, disciplined, locked in on work, and I have virtually no social life. In Italy I have all the social life, all the spontaneity, all the slow mornings, and my work discipline basically evaporates. Neither version has any balance. I need to figure out how to be both at once and I genuinely do not know how that is going to work yet.

I am going to be thinking about that a lot this spring. And I have a feeling it is going to make for some interesting writing.

More soon.

xo