Been to Lugano for the interview and am back in Idaho now. They say I was their #1 choice out of 120 candidates. I am flattered!
My first night there I walked along the lake above with hundreds of Italians — you know they do this passegiata thing at night… everybody walks. It’s nice… big families out strolling three generations together. Then in the same spot several nights later I had one of those moments that changes your life. Usually you don’t know them when they happen, but I did this time.
I have some major concerns about the job and the school, but I was sitting on the lakefront (this was the view) in a pizzeria called The Spaghetti Store (find the yellow awning next to the Hotel Walter), glass of tasty local merlot in hand and I decided then and there I didn’t so much care about my concerns; I am moving to Switzerland.
This thought was confirmed in Milan Malpensa airport the next day as I sank my teeth into the Swiss chocolate I bought in the duty-free… only this time it sounded more like, “Hell YEAH I’m moving here!” The chocolate was that good.
I realize that somewhere along the way I’d lost track of me… as a child I loved navigating my family throughout Europe (especially the Paris metro — at ten I led them all through it), studied two languages, used to say I wanted to be an expatriate writer when I grew up… and then I forgot along the way that that was a part of me. In some ways, this was like a homecoming. I am coming home to me. It wasn’t difficult that I’m not fluent in Italian; I will be.
What an adventure. Life is quiet and simple and good there. I am looking forward to it.
Questions I’ve got now: How will it be to live on the salary I’ve agreed to (it’s a lot lower than I thought)? Will enough people come to visit me that I won’t be lonely? Will I be able to take Mufasa? Is that a good idea? Will I have a new favorite flavor of gelato? Should I ship my furniture or buy it all there? (There’s an IKEA nearby and for that I am excited.) Will I need a car? Where will I live? How long will it take me to meet the next great (surely beuatiful European) love?
These are very fun questions, indeed!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
You have my permission to go only if you continue to blog so I can live through you. How completely amazing and exciting. I have likewise always wanted to live for a while in a foreign country. With Dana moving down to Costa Rica it will be easy for me to see more of the world.
GUESS WHAT??? Last night on a walk with Shira and Dana they were sort of having a wandering side conversation about going to Italy. I said HELLO Rebecca will be LIVING there and so at the very least for sure Dana and I will come visit next spring/summer!!!!
Oh my…could you have ever imagined where your life would lead you, considering where you were a couple of years ago? Amazing what can happen when we have the courage to face down our fears and take risks. I, too, must live vicariously through you as Helen has also noted. I am SO happy and excited for you, and I confess, even a bit jealous!! My life feels so constrained, so conventional, in comparison. As for visits from friends, we are definite in our plans to go to Italy for June 2007. Originally hoped it would be next year but must get finances in better order for another year yet. Our book group is going to rent a villa in Umbria for a week, probably third week of June, then Leif & I and the kids will head north to the Dolomites and over to see you. Hope you’ll love it enough that you’ll still be there in two years! When does the job start? When will you move? This is just so exciting.
I sure hope to get to see you before you go. Miss you!
Wendy