My move to Italy - Part 5

If you are just catching up: Parts 1 2 3 4


I arrived back into a cold and wintery Melbourne and was greeted by my parents at the airport. We had not spoken on the phone while I was away and they got quite a shock when I told them in the car that I was going to quit my job the next day and buy a one way plane ticket to London.

They thought I was mad, that I was joking, but I had never been more sure of anything in my whole life.

I could have had everything I wanted in Australia, but I viewed this as some sort of personal test. I knew 'someone' was testing me to see if I really was ready to give it all up for a try at Italy.

True to my word the next day I quit my job (and yes, they were a little miffed at having given me 6 weeks holidays and then I quit the first day back. I begged to leave straight away but they made me stay a whole month...as punishment I am sure.)

With the job finished, and my bags packed it was a mere 6 weeks since I had left that I found myself heading back yet again to the northern hemisphere (no point wasting time I say!)

Since my holiday in Italy I was determined to live there. I had become obsessed watching every movie that had ever been made about Italy and reading as many books as I could get my eager hands on. I was at my grandparents once a week for Italian lessons and annoying everyone by trying to speak Italian (albeit very badly.) I was so relaxed, so happy, so impatient to go. The 'pull' of Italy was getting stronger and stronger, it really did feel like a physical force reeling me in. I was not scared, not worried that I was being hasty, not preoccupied with finding a job. I just knew it would be easy - because it felt right.

Since I could not speak Italian, and although I did not mind being a dishwasher, I wanted to try and go via London for a job. I had no actual family in Italy and no where really to stay. I could have stayed in my dads small village of 150 people, but then that is not the best place for job hunting!

Based on a friends advice I went to London, determined to find a job working with this UK travel company that she had recommended. I found a share flat (a sign surely when I was met by 2 Italian housemates) I found a great job (someone testing me yet again as after 2 months I was offered a full time contract paying a a handsome wage...) and then finally the time came for my interview - my chance to go to Italy.

Well here I am - writing from Rome...so the rest they say is history.

I always said if you want something badly enough then it's yours.



P.S the bel ragazzo came along later. You can read about us meeting here and here