Posted in Italy, Living abroad, Living in Italy, Orvieto, Travel, Travel to Italy, tagged expatriates, Expats, Expats in Italy, Living abroad, Orvieto, orvieto italy on July 26, 2013|
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I don’t like the word “Expat” – it feels exclusionary, divisive and, dare I say it, a bit elitist.
I never liked being a member of a clique in school either, preferring to spread myself around, hopping from one social and ethic circle to another.
1ex·pa·tri·ate verb \ek-ˈspā-trē-ˌāt\
1: banish, exile
2: to withdraw (oneself) from residence in or allegiance to one’s native country
…Nope, that doesn’t quite define me.
Look, it’s perfectly obvious that I am not from around here (especially when I open my mouth) so I see no real need to announce it, label it, or hide behind it.
Go ahead and call me an “American”, call me a “Straniera” (foreigner), call me “crazy”, but don’t call me “Expat”.
Photograph “American Girl” by Ruth Orkin, 1951
by Toni DeBella
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Yeah, I know, I’ve been in a lot of film and video lately. Fifty-six years of relative obscurity and then, all of sudden, a rash of media exposure.
House Hunters International came calling in January to film this segment shortly after my move to Italy. The episode airs this Tuesday, July 9 at 10:30 p.m. Eastern/Pacific on HGTV.
The best moments filming the show …
Appearing with my son, Andrew Todd.
Working with the fabulous U.K. crew: Director Ben, Cameraman Gordon and Soundman Martin.
…and the wrap party that followed.
The Irony….
I can’t watch it from Europe.
What I hope for…
Good editing.
Sincere and special thanks to…
The City of Orvieto, Italy
Mayor Toni Concina & Riccardo Caracciolo Di Forino
David Tordi and The Bartenders
Textile Conservator, Igor Honkanen
Painters, Massimo Chioccia & Olga Tsarkova
Marbled paper artist, Lamberto Bernardini
Bar Clandestino
Steve Brenner, Linda Martinez, Giulia, Paloma, Viola & Goji Martinez-Brenner
Daniela Tordi, Darya Tordi & Federica Romagnoli
Giulia Donato & Nick Magliulo
Consular General, Italian Consulate of San Francisco & Jeffrey Capaccio, Esq.
Biordi Imports, San Francisco
Ristorante Ideale, San Francisco
Manuela Calvet, Maya & Anais Bette
Marisa Huber, Carol Carol Solfanelli, Suzee and Volker Ackermann & Dionne Garcia
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Orvieto or Bust: 
