We've been enjoying our long weekend, thanks to 56 delegates who signed our Declaration of Independence from England in 1776. July 4th is now celebrated as our official holiday, complete with corn on the cob, ice cream, bike rides, cook-outs, checkered tablecloths, and of course lots of fireworks (and sparklers). We had a lot of fun making Sparkler Art like last year with friends.
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Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
This is one of the most famous inclusions of "unalienable rights" in the Declaration, and although America is far from perfect, I'm thankful for this foundation of values that has pushed us along. I also think that living abroad has helped me see more clearly some of the good things about my home country.
I'm glad for the amount of time we spent in Italy, because we were able to scratch the surface a bit with how the system over there works, and how many people feel about their life, government, and future. We talked with so many younger people (20s-30s) who thought we were crazy for being Americans wanting to live in Italy. When we told them that we were even going to stay longer if Chris' work visa came through in time, their jaws dropped even further towards the ground, always repeating the same thing, "Ma dai! PERCHE?!?! Gli americani che vogliono vivere e lavorare QUI in Italia?!" (Come on! WHY? Americans who want to live and work here in Italy?) They just couldn't grasp why we would ever consider this, when most of them talked to us about wishing they could have the opportunity to move to, and work in America.
The more we heard this, the more we noticed a similar sentiment throughout the country...that most people are not born with this built-in feeling of "If I work hard enough, study long enough, try hard enough...I can do whatever I want, be whatever I want, be as successful as I want", like I feel many people have in America. The US is a country of opportunity, and there are so many stories of people coming from nothing to be one of the most successful people in the world. This is almost unheard of in Italy. Plus, wages are so low and it almost doesn't matter what you do - your salary will, more than likely, be sub-par. Many people shared with us that even if they studied for years at university, excelled, and received a degree, that they could still work retail at the newspaper stand and make generally the same amount.
But, they eat well, seem to enjoy a slower and rich way of living, and have some of the most beautiful and historic places on earth :)
Seriously, we did hear a report like this on the Italian radio once saying how many things were wrong with the government, economics, and labor issues...but they had to find the things to be enjoyed and proud of - like food, richness of life, and landscapes. There is something, for sure, that drew (and still draws) us to the bel paese, but I'm very thankful to have opportunity in our lives being American...and the option to share our lives with two homes.
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7 comments:
those are some of the best sparkler art pics i've ever seen.
very nice.
before this last trip to italy all i wanted to do was live and work there. upon returning without the "fluff" of studying abroad we realized how lucky we were to be living and working in america.
we can't get enough of traveling there though :-)
Awww, lovely post! It's funny how once you live abroad (as an adult) you learn to appreciate all the perks & conveniences of your own country... things you didn't realize or didn't appreciate because they was just a fact of life.
I really do think they should make studying/living abroad obligatory in college... people would be much more aware, open-minded, and appreciate.
We have heard locals with the same "why move here" comments, but we also found many times that it is based on their view of America from TV and movies. Just as many Americans think life in Italy would be an "Under the Tuscan Sun" adventure which it isn't.
Life in both countries have aspects that are different...not better or worse, just different.
Great post Erin. This is something we discuss often in our household, my family and friends are always asking Roberto about what made him decide to come to the states and to compare his experiences with his life back home in Italy. He really has a hard time answering, because there are really good and bad things about both.
I feel fortunate to have lived abroad too - I spent a year in Norway and if it wasn't so darn cold there, I would say they have one of the best lifestyles and standards of living, anywhere.
If given the chance to live abroad again, I would in a heartbeat!
Perspective is certainly a wonderful thing, isn't it? I feel *so* blessed because I really feel like I've gotten the best of both worlds in this US/Italy deal. I just had this conversation last night, btw, with a 14-year-old Italian girl who wants to move to America and never come back....
Oh, and I love that sparkler art!
Beautiful sparkler art! I just love sparklers, seeing this makes me want to rush straight out and get some and spend the evening running round the garden competing with the fireflies.
There is a lot to think about in this post. I think there is a kind of disillusionment among young Italians borne out of frustration that the country is so set in its ways and seems unwilling to except change. In many ways what to us may seem like the dolce vita is not so dolce for them.
Cool sparkler art. Love the hearts and your name...
Happy Belated 4th ;)
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