God, freaking bless you. I live in Paris (la vie en rose, right?). And Instagram is *not* Parisian reality.
Contrary to Pinterest and Insta...we do not walk around with a bold red lip, jeans, and a perfect white button down...enjoying 4 hour lunches with wine.
We grab dinner at Picard, wear Adidas tennis shoes with jeans, a Monoprix sweater, and very little makeup.
There is dog poo in the street, graffiti on the modernist buildings, and riots it seems like all the time.
But, my husband is French and that's what brought me here. So I'll enjoy a fresh baguette, strolling near the Seine, and my new life.
Yes, Paris is another city that is wildly different than Instagram :) I used to live in France and I really miss Monoprix sometimes, which I never thought I would say! HA!
Congratulations on your 1 year and your many accomplishments! :-) What do you do for your full time job? I work full time too, in N Italy. It’s a balancing act!
Thanks Lolly! I work in localization (technology side) remotely. Writing this newsletter gives me so much energy. I am definitely a better tech worker because of it!
Love this! As an former American expat that recently moved back to USA from Rome, watching Instagram-able versions of Italy become the single story is hard to sit with. It seems as though everyone traveling to Italy wants the "local" experience. When in fact being a "local" is something that is earned by overcoming hardships, time, respect, and patronage to other LOCALs. Life in Italy has those opportunities in spades. Keep it all going!
OMG I loved the list of things that in Naples are still done physically (the gym paid in cash with a punch card made me chuckle) vs digitally. Living in Naples doesn't look like child's play, so congrats for your first year abroad! ✨
Thank you so much for sharing your experience Brenna! You decribed the kife there so beautifully that I could feel all the emotions and envision the life.
Loved your opening paragraphs, literally LOL funny! I live in a little village about halfway between Rome and Naples. I lived here for 8 years full time while my son attended the local schools, but now it’s half here, half in USA. I think the first year of residency is the hardest, so congratulations!
Italy was far too hot for me when I last visited. I haven't been back since, but after reading about your life in Napoli, I am tempted to start looking for flights. Thank you for showing us how magical reality is compared to the curated content social media would have us believe.
Aw thank you Jo. Checking out your gardening Substack holy heck! Beautiful! Can you please come to Napoli and consult to the parks department 😂 one of the things I miss the most living over here are parks, my garden, and flowers 🌿
I'm also from San Diego and I have been here for 20 years. The best part is that I actually love visiting San Diego now. The one thing I gave learned is La Dolce Vita exists for those who can afford it. Or tourists who pay a rich expat for week of the 'authentic italy' experience. People in Naples are definitely much kinder than Romans.
God, freaking bless you. I live in Paris (la vie en rose, right?). And Instagram is *not* Parisian reality.
Contrary to Pinterest and Insta...we do not walk around with a bold red lip, jeans, and a perfect white button down...enjoying 4 hour lunches with wine.
We grab dinner at Picard, wear Adidas tennis shoes with jeans, a Monoprix sweater, and very little makeup.
There is dog poo in the street, graffiti on the modernist buildings, and riots it seems like all the time.
But, my husband is French and that's what brought me here. So I'll enjoy a fresh baguette, strolling near the Seine, and my new life.
Yes, Paris is another city that is wildly different than Instagram :) I used to live in France and I really miss Monoprix sometimes, which I never thought I would say! HA!
As someone who has never been to Paris (but hopes to go someday) this is SUCH A RELIEF! lol
Well, I hope you do get to visit one day. It is beautiful, beautiful, but don’t forget about all the great things. You probably have back in the USA!
I say it ALL.THE.TIME. If it was easy, everyone would come. I love reading about your discoveries
Congratulations on your 1 year and your many accomplishments! :-) What do you do for your full time job? I work full time too, in N Italy. It’s a balancing act!
Thanks Lolly! I work in localization (technology side) remotely. Writing this newsletter gives me so much energy. I am definitely a better tech worker because of it!
Me too - on both!
i loved it!
sweet, loved that feel of Italy
Love this! As an former American expat that recently moved back to USA from Rome, watching Instagram-able versions of Italy become the single story is hard to sit with. It seems as though everyone traveling to Italy wants the "local" experience. When in fact being a "local" is something that is earned by overcoming hardships, time, respect, and patronage to other LOCALs. Life in Italy has those opportunities in spades. Keep it all going!
"being a "local" is something that is earned by overcoming hardships, time, respect, and patronage to other LOCALs".
Love this Tana!
OMG I loved the list of things that in Naples are still done physically (the gym paid in cash with a punch card made me chuckle) vs digitally. Living in Naples doesn't look like child's play, so congrats for your first year abroad! ✨
Thanks Caterina!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience Brenna! You decribed the kife there so beautifully that I could feel all the emotions and envision the life.
Loved your opening paragraphs, literally LOL funny! I live in a little village about halfway between Rome and Naples. I lived here for 8 years full time while my son attended the local schools, but now it’s half here, half in USA. I think the first year of residency is the hardest, so congratulations!
Wow a dual life! That comes with its own challenges I’m sure! Thanks for reading.
I love Naples. One of the best moments for me was when I visited a bar again after a year and the owner recognised me.
That’s the Neapolitan way! Once you’re “in” you’re never forgotten!!!! ❤️
Italy was far too hot for me when I last visited. I haven't been back since, but after reading about your life in Napoli, I am tempted to start looking for flights. Thank you for showing us how magical reality is compared to the curated content social media would have us believe.
I am very sensitive to heat. I recommend coming late Sept - October or late April to early May! Those are the two magic months 🪄
Thank you for this wonderful essay. I feel like, were we ever to meet over some dry taralli, we would have a lot to talk about!
Why are taralli so damn dry though? 😂
Not all! I had the best--and decidedly not dry--taralli of my life at a wine bar in Bologna.
Brenna you conjure up the Neapolitan magic so beautifully here …. I must visit again soon. A wonderful read for a Sunday morning
Aw thank you Jo. Checking out your gardening Substack holy heck! Beautiful! Can you please come to Napoli and consult to the parks department 😂 one of the things I miss the most living over here are parks, my garden, and flowers 🌿
Never was that big in Italy, especially Rome. But I loved Napoli!
This felt like reading a story book. I really enjoyed it.
Oh thank you Oluwatobi! 🥰 it’s my dream to write a book.
I'm also from San Diego and I have been here for 20 years. The best part is that I actually love visiting San Diego now. The one thing I gave learned is La Dolce Vita exists for those who can afford it. Or tourists who pay a rich expat for week of the 'authentic italy' experience. People in Naples are definitely much kinder than Romans.