Writing a Blog about Italy: Where Strangers are Friends You Haven’t Met Yet.
June 15, 2012 by orvietoorbust
Friends come in all shapes and sizes. Some live around the corner, some across an ocean. Sometimes your buddy-o-meter goes off and you get a certain vibe about someone that defies proximity – a unique kindred-connection that isn’t a function of time or space.
She was the very first person to read and comment on this blog just over a year ago. We became Facebook friends. She had an irreverent sense of humor, coincidently also has a son named Andrew, and loves Italy. She’s a fantastic cook; I’m a fantastic eater. We say things like “Ciao cugina” (Hi cousin) and banter on the computer like childhood friends.
We finally had our first meeting in North Beach last night. Dinner, chit-chatting (we even let her husband get a word in edgewise from time to time). We shared chilled shot glasses of her homemade Lemoncello and the waiters joined us for an after dinner toast. How did I think the evening went? Let’s just say a visit with me in Orvieto is in the works.
I never expected this blog to be such a portal for funneling wonderful and dynamic people into my life. I’ve been fortunate to have a network of warm and supportive cohorts, introduced to me through this medium. They consist of a mixture of “real-time” and “web-based” friends, but friends nontheless. Among the Hall of Famers: a very “accommodating” family of five; a gal destined for Umbria; a mad renovating mommy; a floating foodie, a lake dweller, a stage fright-prone rock star; and a Chianti-drinking-but-not-while-driving adventurer.
That little “Like” button has “virtually” changed my life.
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Posted in Expat in Italy, Italy, Living in Italy, Orvieto, Travel | Tagged An Italophile, beehive hotel, Cross-Polliante, Destination Umbria, facebook friends, Follow Your Nose, Living & Working a Dream Life in Europe, Renovating Italy, The Beehive Hotel & Cafe, travel, Writing a blog about Italy | 23 Comments
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That is one thing that I really like about blogging too Toni. I have been able to connect with some great people, some fellow Italophiles. I am so happy to be included in this list. Thankyou so much
Your welcome Cathy. There are great people out there in “Blogland” and we are just two of them..LOL. t
A lovely post, like you I have made some lovely friends via blogging and am fortunate to have now met a few in the real world as well. There is amazing karma out there.
Too true it is amazing how many people you ‘meet’ – thank you for including me too. The past year has been quite a special one – new friends a new house (ruin) and new plans for the future.
Grazie Toni
Ingrid…you future looks bright (and full of adventure). Hope you will have a guest room….:) t
Bloggers are amazing people and I too, have met a few especially from Paris. I also connect with quiet a few through FB .. I have been in contact with Cathy and Lindy lou for a long time too.
Anne, yes the circle is getting wider and wider….toni
Toni-our meeting in North Beach was so much fun….but not long enough! I look forward to many more including long conversations over vino and many adventures in Orvieto! Buddy-o-meter, I love it! Baci- Denise
Me too Denise. Hope you don’t mind me “stealing” your photo. I love that one of you in Orvieto. Do you think we can “bury” the axe joke now?
Hugs to you and Steve.
t
The axe has been laid to rest. Hate to disappoint but that pic was taken in Cortona!
Traitor!!! Tuscany?????
LOVE this post! I’m so happy to have been able to meet you in Orvieto. I love you, Toni! :0)
I love you too, Jen. Keep the faith. t
Toni, Toni!!, I don’t quite know which one I may be, is it the Lake dweller, OR ,A Stage-fright prone Rock Star?? if it’s the latter, “I will get you at playtime”., PS, sorry, thinking of relocating…..to Orvieto!!!, What do you mean, Tuscany looks inviting all of a sudden!!.
Brian!! The rock star, of course. Tuscany no, but I may have to move to Rome….
I imagine with the work developing and your need to go to the airport, Orvieto is much easier for you? Will you miss your little lake?
Carissima Toni! How I wish you were still here in Umbria. We would have even more to share, if that’s possible! Your post is a mirror for me. This little circle, ever-widening is a gift. I have even had the lovely Brian from Bolsena here for a visit in Perugia. Tutto merito tuo! Umbria has welcomed me back this time too. Just as well! Un abbraccio grande grande. Jxxx
Toni, there’s no need to run off to Rome on my account, I’m quite tame and house trained, no trouble at all really, though even Janine is saying it’s your doing, that she had to put up with me in perugia.but another lovely Lady trying to fulfill a dream.in Umbria.
All kidding aside, Brian, it will be nice to have you hanging around the corso.
t.
Yea Yea, Toni, I know, at the end of a rope. I will see.
Well I’m certainly hoping I’m the Mad Renovating Mummy! What a priceless treasure each special friendship I have found is. I only a few weeks ago met up with Tanya who had commented on my blog, we just clicked and now have become blogging buddies and took on 5 things a week we want to achieve. Today being my birthday was wonderful seeing all my friends and family on fb, I now feel all warm and fuzzy xxx
And, what kind of friend am I that I didn’t wish you happy birthday…Auguri …when I said “mad” I meant in a good way! Hugs and kisses. t
I am a good friend of Denise’s and she was thrilled to meet her kindred spirit! – Colleen
Thanks Colleen. It was a great meeting with she AND Steve. I am happy that you stopped by my blog to say hi. Thanks. Hugs. toni