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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 Limoncello 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.

Check them out:

The Beehive Hotel & Cafe and Cross-Pollinate

Renovating Italy

Living & Working a Dream Life in Europe

Destination Umbria

An Italophile

Follow Your Nose

by Toni DeBella

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 | 25 Comments

25 Responses

on June 16, 2012 at 12:19 am | Reply Cathy Powell

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 🙂
- on June 16, 2012 at 7:06 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Your welcome Cathy. There are great people out there in “Blogland” and we are just two of them..LOL. t
on June 16, 2012 at 12:23 am | Reply lindyloumacinitaly

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. 🙂
on June 16, 2012 at 1:23 am | Reply Ingrid

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 🙂
- on June 16, 2012 at 7:08 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Ingrid…you future looks bright (and full of adventure). Hope you will have a guest room….:) t
on June 16, 2012 at 6:13 am | Reply anne

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.
- on June 16, 2012 at 6:47 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Anne, yes the circle is getting wider and wider….toni
on June 16, 2012 at 7:52 am | Reply Denise

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
- on June 16, 2012 at 8:39 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  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
  - on June 16, 2012 at 8:50 am Denise Blackman
    
    The axe has been laid to rest. Hate to disappoint but that pic was taken in Cortona!
  - on June 16, 2012 at 8:51 am orvietoorbust
    
    Traitor!!! Tuscany????? 🙂
on June 16, 2012 at 12:08 pm | Reply Jen

LOVE this post! I’m so happy to have been able to meet you in Orvieto. I love you, Toni! :0)
- on June 16, 2012 at 6:37 pm | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  I love you too, Jen. Keep the faith. t
on June 16, 2012 at 1:05 pm | Reply johna666

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!!.
on June 16, 2012 at 6:40 pm | Reply orvietoorbust

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?
on June 17, 2012 at 2:27 pm | Reply janinevasta

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
on June 17, 2012 at 3:21 pm | Reply johna666

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.
- on June 17, 2012 at 4:09 pm | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  All kidding aside, Brian, it will be nice to have you hanging around the corso.
  t.
on June 17, 2012 at 4:29 pm | Reply johna666

Yea Yea, Toni, I know, at the end of a rope. I will see.
on June 18, 2012 at 4:48 am | Reply Lisa | Renovating Italy

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
- on June 18, 2012 at 6:39 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  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
on June 21, 2012 at 6:10 pm | Reply Colleen

I am a good friend of Denise’s and she was thrilled to meet her kindred spirit! – Colleen
- on June 21, 2012 at 6:49 pm | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  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
on May 26, 2016 at 6:06 am | Reply carol sansone

Hi Toni, loved this post. We too have met many amazing Italophines via FB and blogging. Your comments echo our experiences and even now, we are on our way to Italy to “pet-sit and house-sit” for former “virtual” friends …all because of the “like” button at LivingItalian
- on May 26, 2016 at 6:15 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Bloggers unite! t

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