Incredible post..thanks
@pippofan. Always enjoy your stories. Do you ever regret leaving in the first place?
I have mixed feelings about that and actually moved back to Italy in 2012 but only lasted 10 months because the town was largely deserted in summer and the pace too slow. Obviously the red tape was horrendous and health care, while free, mediocre.
The best parts were the people that welcomed me back like family and often invited me to their homes, and the food out of this world, recipes passed on thru generations. My best friend from 1966, (Juve fan), still is today, found the apartment for me and even advanced the money for the furniture. People simply don't forget you no matter how long you are gone.
I was in 10th grade and not sure what to do with the rest of my life. In school I was very good in Italian, history, geography, social studies, and probably would have gone on to become a teacher. To get a job there takes a long time, my friend waited until he was 32 before he got a position as a high school English Teacher and then vice-principal.
Later worked at Coverciano teaching English to coaches and players that included top talent like Baggio, Del Piero, and others. Told me they used to call him "Prof" and showed me many photos with his pupils.
He's now 80 and has been working on a novel about the hometown, days that we spent together, mysteries, intrigues, and betrayals that were kept secret and he has uncovered. Changed the names but all the character are dead.
In the U.S. I led a comfortable life, never unemployed, travelled all over Europe, cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, and many cities in Italy multiple times: Roma, Milano, Firenze, (my favorite), Bologna, (surprisingly beautiful), Napoli, Venezia, Bari, Perugia, Como, Trieste, and many others.
Got my High School Equivalency Diploma and worked in an office for the city of Providence. I was never overly ambitious or hard working but showed up every day and was able to retire at the age of 53 when I moved to Florida in 2002.
I guess coming here was a good move but I never gained the type of friends that I had in Italy. Today the surviving ones are grand-parents, act very seriously and responsibly, the same ones that I hitch-hiked with to Caserta when we played hookie from school. Caserta is known for its beautiful and extensive Royal Palace, (Reggia di Caserta), and magnificent gardens and waterfalls that rival Versailles and we played bocce with oranges outside, had pizza, and went to a cinema for a Matinee. I remember a 007 movie, "Thunderball" that we were crazy about.
The funny thing is that when I think about these friends now in their 70s and know what they look like as older people, in my mind I still see them as 14, 15, 16, forever young.
In this photo I'm on the left with my friend Pietro and daughter and son some years ago.
