Life in Rome...my thoughts on the first 48 hours!

So, I could start my story with the tale of the phenomenally long car journey it took to get here, but that will follow. To start with, I thought I'd run through my feelings on my first 48 hours living in Rome.

I live in a neighbourhood called Nomentana (named so as the main street that runs through it is Via Nomentana). It's to the north-east of the city and reminds me a little of north London - big, period houses and tree-lined quiet streets. Before I came here I read a few articles online about it being too far out of the hustle of the main city, but today it took me 20 minutes from my from door to the Coliseum. I am happy with that and couldn't ask for a better location. Nearby I have a great supermarket, a bank and a pharmacy.

The apartment itself is in a Regency-style building and there are only three apartments in total. I have more space here than I could have dreamt of!

I'll be honest and admit that I had a small teary moment on my first night, but it was late and we had travelled for nearly 11 hours...I think tiredness got the better of me as I felt OK the next day.

There are soooo many expat blogs and forums you read that tell you so many contradicting things about feeling homesick and it can be a bit like trying to self-diagnose an illness online; you end up scaring yourself silly! Today I met with an old work colleague who was in Rome for a conference, and she left the UK for Australia and told me that she still does not have that heart-aching, stomach churning homesickness that I have heard of, and she's been there 6 months! I think with all things, it's mind over matter and whilst I stroll the tree-lined streets of the Eternal City in the sun, taking long, leisurely lunches and chomping on the odd gelato, it's hard to miss the UK. Of course, there are people I miss terribly, and I am always thinking of them, but true relationships stand any distance.

Time is a great story teller, and it is only time that will tell me how I feel about life in Rome. For now, I am very happy.

Ciao per ora,

Nina x

Wish I was there?

I'm almost terrified at the thought that it's only 3 weeks tomorrow until I leave the UK and start the drive to my new life in Rome. 

When I started this venture, I expected a lot more 'what the f&*k am I doing?' moments than I have had so far, but I have noticed a few mini versions of those moments creeping in over the last week or so and even one moment where I seemed to regret ALL the decisions I had made in the last few months and wanted to scrap the whole idea all together. I expected this, so I dealt with it as I had expected to...(added wine!)

I'm sure that anyone who has been three weeks away from leaving their home country to set up a new life elsewhere has been through the same moments I have, and will, over the coming weeks. But its strange the things I will miss about being here. Like the fact MY house key will no longer be on my keyring. If I come back to the UK for visits, that is what it will be for, just a visit, not to come home. In a funny way, I'll miss the weather. Yesterday, my cousin's wedding took place in the snow, in March...a WEEK away from the start of British Summertime....that's not normal, but, I'm English; if I'm at a wedding and not discussing the weather, something is wrong!

Next week I finish work after 5 years at my company and 8 years of full-time working since leaving University. I have two weeks to pack up my life, and prepare to say goodbye. I'm anticipating emotional moments; there will be tears and moments when I just need a hug on the sofa. It's very easy for people to sit and think that my life will now be all vino, pasta and sunshine, but the reality of it is somewhere different - yes, I don't doubt that my quality of life will improve tenfold, but I am also giving up every familiarity, routine and comfort I have been used to for the last 29 years. That is going to be rough on anyone! 

Luckily, I have a phenomenal support network. Here in the UK I have a great family who will support me through the rough moments and some great friends I can turn to when I need a little light relief! In Rome, I have great friends who will no doubt make me feel so welcome and a wonderful boyfriend, who's actually helping me make the move from the UK to Rome. 

I expect the next few weeks to bring a whole pick'n'mix of emotions...but it's certainly going to be interesting! 

Where else but Rome?

Yes, it's a well known fact I love Rome...all of Italy in fact, but this year, I would like to travel to some other places and see more of the world. 

I knew 2013 would be a big year for me; not only do I turn 30, but I am relocating my life 1000 miles! My roads do indeed lead to Rome, but here's my wish list of other places to visit this year.

Panarea
Yes, technically still in Italy, Panarea is a beautiful island North of Sicily. It's everything I could want; aqua sea, white sands and peace and quiet. It's also pretty cheap and I'm hoping for a few nights there in late Spring/early Summer. 

Mexico
Why? It looks stunning and I can eat all the authentic Mexican food I want! I have only heard good feedback about Mexico; a friend of mine goes there every year and it looks like a great holiday!

Lazise

OK, yes, again this is Italy, but this holiday was booked before the 'big move' was! I will be spending a week here with my parents, brother, his girlfriend and the boy to celebrate my 30th in July. I'll be honest and say this wasn't a birthday I was looking forward to, but now I am actually really excited! 

And finally, the States...
I'm not really sure where but I think the US of A deserves another visit. I have done Florida and NYC, and I would certainly go back to NYC but there are so may places that I would like to see in the States. Driving Route 66 in a Mustang has been a dream of mine for years, so maybe that could become a reality!

Now, where did I put those holiday brochures!

Ciao for now,

Nina x