Where are you from originally?
I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains in North Georgia. It was a unique childhood I appreciate more and more and a place I love to coming back to.
Where are you now?
I actually just moved back here – a nourishing base while I’m building my travel business. But in reality, I’m back and forth from Italy about every 3 months.
What made you stay, or made you move?
I had been living in NYC for 3 years when I started really losing myself. My job was a new level of stressful, I was grappling with relationship issues, and I knew I didn’t belong in the city. I was just unhappy but trying really hard. Eventually I had to make a change so I put it all on hold and went to Italy for 3 months where I could hear my own voice clearly again. And now I’m back home in Georgia until I jet off to Italy again for research and development for my travel business.
What other places have you called home?
I started out in Valdosta, Georgia until I was 7. Since then I’ve been in the mountains of North Georgia but have spent from 3 months to 3 years in Phoenix, DC, New York, Paris, and all over Italy. Most recently I lived in Puglia, a region in the heel of Italy’s boot.
If you could bring one item from every country you’ve lived, what would it be?
Oh, man..from the U.S. I’d bring the lush, green forest I grew up in. From Italy, I’d bring the no-pressure attitude with the focus on people and good relationships. And I only lived in Paris for a short time but if it counts, I’d bring the whole darn patisserie! I’m stretching the definition of an “Item” but those are the things that make me feel at home in each place!
What has been the hardest thing to get used to?
Italy has a lot of funny quirks but I think now that I’m doing business in Italy, the biggest challenge is respectfully navigating the cultural differences. Americans generally focus on results and getting things done. Italians are more laid-back and trust that it’ll get done when it gets done. They need time to really sit down and see the big picture if they’re working on something. It can be frustrating but it’s a good learning process, too. I reflect on what my life would be like if I had a similar attitude. There isn’t one right or wrong way but the important thing is that both parties are understanding each other and making sacrifices to cooperate.
What about your new home do you love most?
I become a different person in Italy. I’m more confident, curious, and just feel like I’m radiating happiness. I think that comes from a culture that values the good things in life over the things that will make us rich or successful. Less oriented towards “the dream” and more oriented towards what already is. That’s my personal take anyway.
Is there anything you’ve learned along the way that every future expat in Italy should know, or wish you had known before coming?
This seems kind of obvious, but know how to speak Italian or have a genuine passion to learn. I can’t describe the incredible way in which people have opened up to me and the amazing experiences it has led to. One tip is to get a language partner on sites like italki.com. I picked a partner in a city I knew I’d be spending time in. After weeks of skyping I found myself at her family’s dinner table in the most beautiful farmhouse overlooking all of Florence. It was incredible, I had to keep pinching myself!
You launched an immersion tour in Italy, tell us about that?
Yes! I founded Creative Edge Travel to help people have more meaningful travel experiences because I believe in the profound effect of connecting with other cultures and with ourselves- which can be a challenge when such a beautiful country is overrun by tourists. Even scenic countryside villages have been found out. It takes time, research, complicated transportation, and language skills to find Italy’s hidden gems where you can have an authentic experience. Creative Edge gives you the opportunity to skip over these challenges and directly access authentic cultural connection and unique immersive experiences. I plan to launch the first experience trip in Spring or Summer 2018!
Living abroad can be costly, how have you managed to make a living as an expat?
I haven’t moved to Italy full-time so I can’t speak to that but currently, I work as a Travel Designer planning luxury trips for a travel agency and I can do that wherever I go. Outside of having a job, there are ways to save money. For example, if your flight is cancelled you can file for compensation which is how I paid for my next roundtrip flight to Italy- super easy! Then there are all kinds of exchanges that give you a place to live in exchange for a few hours of work each day or whatever you agree on (see workaway.info). Since I’m still traveling around Italy to scout locations and experiences, I can utilize couchsurfing and my network of locals. Another factor is the region you go to. Tuscany is more expensive than say, Puglia in southern Italy. You can get a margherita pizza for 3 euros and fresh vegetables for next to nothing. It’s about planning ahead and traveling smart. What subscriptions and monthly payments can you pause while abroad? And finally, sometimes it’s just worth it to prioritize this experience (while I’m in a position where I don’t have so many responsibilities). Not everyone has that luxury and I don’t take for granted how incredibly lucky I am to pursue a dream in this way.
Tell us your top 3 places to visit, things to do, restaurants to eat, see in Italy?
- High in the rocky cliffs above Positano on the Amalfi Coast lies a minuscule town called Nocelle – an off-the-beaten-path gem that gives you better views and more authentic culture than the infamous Positano (which is one of the least authentic places I’ve been). It’s also right on the Path of the Gods, a breathtaking hiking trail along the coast.
- Pietrapertosa is quickly gaining popularity but still off-the-beaten-path (for now). When I was there in 2014, I saw just one other tourist there and was literally gawked at by its ancient residents who weren’t used to seeing foreigners. I learned through their toothless and old Italian dialect that some had never once left that village. It’s literally clinging to a sharply peaked mountain top with a zip line connecting it to the next peak over, which they call “Flight of the Angels”. It’s really close to another magical place called Matera!
- For #3- any experience with locals. My favs are helping them harvest a crop (picking cherries, olives, or grapes) or learning a traditional recipe like tiramisu. The heart warms around food and all the old Italian grandmas love feeding their guests. (I’ve had a nonna almost make me fall out of my seat she insisted so severely that I continue eating, “Mangia! Maniga! Devi ingrassare, maniga!”)