Love that story and thanks for sharing 🤣 but it could have happened anywhere, it was the gym with no open front desk. The people you met did understand and helped you! You will learn Italian eventually and are extremely brave to have chosen a new life in a foreign country. Everything will be ok ❤️ Reminds me of a story of an Italian couple having sex in the car in a big park by Linate airport some thieves forced them out of the car, made them strip nude stole their clothes wallet and car. They had with tree branches covering them go to the main road and try to flag down a car! Difficult because people were afraid to stop for a crazed naked man with some leaves!! So it’s not just foreigners that can get in difficult situations!
This SAME THING happened to me last week in Italy (getting locked out of my locker despite being confident in my password). Luckily my Italian pulled through and it was during a time when someone could help me.
I cannot believe someone randomly had bolt cutters?? Haha what??? It’s times like these you make friends!
It made me sad to think you called your husband roommate to protect yourself.
Glad you got out of your jam! Regarding your last sentence, yes, I think that's just the reality of being gay. Milan has been overwhelmingly welcome to us, but I'm never unaware—here, or in the US, or anywhere else—that there are plenty of places and people who may not be so kind to someone they knew to be gay. That has hit close to home more than a few times over my 5+ decades.
What a great story - it made me think that we'd all feel naked and exposed in a public space without communication skills in a dire situation, yet kindness prevails.
I think it's interesting about feeling like a foreigner. For many years as a photographer having come out of a career in broadcasting, I felt like a 'foreigner' or visitor as I referred to it. I couldn't quite come to terms with the fact I was now a photographer. But I was. It was more about me, than the label, as such. Home is home, and if you want to be, at the times you want or need to be, an Italian, well, that's what you are? I'm looking forward to reading more of your stories Michael and so pleased we met. Neale
Yes, that's an interesting observation. During our "Move to Italy" research, another piece of advice we got was "You need to understand that you will never really belong in Italy." This was from someone who lived in Italy and loved it, but was just stating the situation as they saw it. At the time I didn't really understand that, but I think I do now. I have many Italian friends, and a full and rich life here, but I don't "belong" here. There are vast swaths of the Italian cultural landscape—history, music, politics, literature—that I am utterly ignorant of. Maybe/hopefully that lack of belonging will change in the coming years—if/when I achieve a reasonable grasp of the language—but I'm not so sure. In an odd way, I'm viewed as an outsider, but with envy. I've lost track of the number of Italians who look at me quizzically and say, "You left California to move HERE?!? I want to move THERE! California is my dream!" I've also realized that my white American male privilege is portable, and it followed me across the Atlantic. I'm sure I'll write about that at some point in the future. But anyway, I do like your point about perhaps being able to be Italian, at least in my own mind, when I want or need to be! Thanks for commenting.
Hey HI Michael. Read your 'naked' and alone piece...very good. Your guardian angels are working overtime..great writing
Thanks Michael!
Love that story and thanks for sharing 🤣 but it could have happened anywhere, it was the gym with no open front desk. The people you met did understand and helped you! You will learn Italian eventually and are extremely brave to have chosen a new life in a foreign country. Everything will be ok ❤️ Reminds me of a story of an Italian couple having sex in the car in a big park by Linate airport some thieves forced them out of the car, made them strip nude stole their clothes wallet and car. They had with tree branches covering them go to the main road and try to flag down a car! Difficult because people were afraid to stop for a crazed naked man with some leaves!! So it’s not just foreigners that can get in difficult situations!
Oh my!
This SAME THING happened to me last week in Italy (getting locked out of my locker despite being confident in my password). Luckily my Italian pulled through and it was during a time when someone could help me.
I cannot believe someone randomly had bolt cutters?? Haha what??? It’s times like these you make friends!
It made me sad to think you called your husband roommate to protect yourself.
Glad you got out of your jam! Regarding your last sentence, yes, I think that's just the reality of being gay. Milan has been overwhelmingly welcome to us, but I'm never unaware—here, or in the US, or anywhere else—that there are plenty of places and people who may not be so kind to someone they knew to be gay. That has hit close to home more than a few times over my 5+ decades.
💔
What a great story - it made me think that we'd all feel naked and exposed in a public space without communication skills in a dire situation, yet kindness prevails.
Yes, great point: human kindness prevailed, across the cultural barriers!
I think it's interesting about feeling like a foreigner. For many years as a photographer having come out of a career in broadcasting, I felt like a 'foreigner' or visitor as I referred to it. I couldn't quite come to terms with the fact I was now a photographer. But I was. It was more about me, than the label, as such. Home is home, and if you want to be, at the times you want or need to be, an Italian, well, that's what you are? I'm looking forward to reading more of your stories Michael and so pleased we met. Neale
PS... I'm waiting for the invite to come and visit you and your husband... a good photowalk I reckon! ;-)
Oh, I would love that! You are welcome anytime. Seriously. Andrew's office has a guest bed, and we've hosted a number of visitors.
Yes, that's an interesting observation. During our "Move to Italy" research, another piece of advice we got was "You need to understand that you will never really belong in Italy." This was from someone who lived in Italy and loved it, but was just stating the situation as they saw it. At the time I didn't really understand that, but I think I do now. I have many Italian friends, and a full and rich life here, but I don't "belong" here. There are vast swaths of the Italian cultural landscape—history, music, politics, literature—that I am utterly ignorant of. Maybe/hopefully that lack of belonging will change in the coming years—if/when I achieve a reasonable grasp of the language—but I'm not so sure. In an odd way, I'm viewed as an outsider, but with envy. I've lost track of the number of Italians who look at me quizzically and say, "You left California to move HERE?!? I want to move THERE! California is my dream!" I've also realized that my white American male privilege is portable, and it followed me across the Atlantic. I'm sure I'll write about that at some point in the future. But anyway, I do like your point about perhaps being able to be Italian, at least in my own mind, when I want or need to be! Thanks for commenting.