16 Comments
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Shabnam Ferdowsi's avatar

Olivia!! I just finally read this final piece. all the feels. italy and italians have a way of pulling those of lucky enough to have spent real good time living there back. Idk, but i miss it every day and wondering how I can make trips to italy (or moving there?! idk!) a sustainable reality.

good luck in the usa!! reverse culture shock can be gnarly <3

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Olivia Box's avatar

Graziemille! You described the charm of Italy perfectly. Adjusting has been *interesting*, I'm also scheming about how to get back to Europe! In the meantime, I look forward to your dispatches from Paris!!

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Gaëlle Gosselin's avatar

Thank you for sharing your stories with us Olivia ! I didn't always get to read every one, but loved each one I did ! Enjoy the new life, enjoy adjusting to it and becoming a new person again, but with all that you have taken from your previous experiences :)) Until your next words grace our inboxes, arrivederci!

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Olivia Box's avatar

Thank you so much Gaëlle! I so appreciate that.

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Domenica Marchetti's avatar

Change is tough, but can also be good. You have your wonderful memories and these posts to look back on and, just as important, future adventures to look forward to. In bocca al lupo xx

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Olivia Box's avatar

Thanks for your kind words, Domenica! Exactly right. As a part of keeping Italy in my life, I've been following along and cooking from your newsletter -- excited for the pepper recipes this week. Crepi!

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Domenica Marchetti's avatar

Thank you. Looking forward to the next iteration of your newsletter, if there is one. xx

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Edward Wojciechowski's avatar

Gonna miss this ray of Italian sunshine in my inbox!

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Olivia Box's avatar

Graziemille!!

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Olivia Box's avatar

Glad I still get a dose of Spain in mine!

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Mary's avatar

Che piacere leggerti e guardare le tue bellissime foto! And to hear you talk about your fluency in Italian gives me special joy! I'm sorry that I haven't commented enough on your wonderful posts but I've so enjoyed keeping up with your adventures in Italia. You'll be back soon...perhaps to visit me in Sicilia when I finally make it my home! Un abbraccio forte, Mary.

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Olivia Box's avatar

Graziemille Professora! Graziemille professoressa! Questa esperienza non sarebbe possibile senza te. I just found an Italian conversation group in my new city! I hope we meet in Sicily too!

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Mary's avatar

I hope you don't mind if I share this blog of your with David DeBevoise. He recently left me a voicemail regarding another former student of our and I know that he'd love to hear about your adventures in Italia. PS. I love that Bernini's Apollo e Daphne was one of your last images. I have stood there admiring that statue for hours. Such a masterpiece!

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Olivia Box's avatar

Of course! Go ahead- tell him I say Ciao! And I agree- It was my favorite - it was amazing!!

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Kelton Wright's avatar

It was a treat to be brought along!

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Olivia Box's avatar

Thanks Kelton!

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