my first month in imperia
My first month in Italy has been spent settling in with my host family, getting to know other au pairs, and learning how to find flow in a new country. Even seemingly small tasks become more challenging when you face language barriers, narrow, winding roads up intense hills, and unique cultural differences.
The first time I cried from joy was my first night in my new apartment space, cuddling with Dot, overwhelmed with gratitude. The first time I cried from negative overwhelm was in my tiny car (a bright Orange Honda Jazz with quite a few scuffs from au pairs before my time) in the grocery store parking lot. In America, I’ve always weighed produce using the self checkout scale. In Italy, you have to weigh it using a machine next to the produce area. I didn’t even see the machine. The checkout woman didn’t speak English, and I do not speak much Italian, so understanding that she was telling me to run over there to get a sticker from the machine took a minute. I tried to say I could check out with everything else and run over after because of the ever growing line of angry Italians, but she said “No, go now” and that, I can understand. I ran back with my sticker a minute later after struggling through the machine (of course the software has one language setting: Italian), and the checkout woman made a comment about me. The whole line laughed, and my stomach sank. I probably won’t see these people again… but Imperia is a small town, and no one enjoys the feeling of being noticed as an outsider. I calmed down by reminding myself that I am doing something brave, and I should be proud of myself regardless of how my first trip to a grocery store goes. You live and you learn. The gas station almost went the same way, until I realized there was a little flag in the corner of the screen of the more modern machine, which allowed me to switch the language to British English. A small win, one that makes life easier and helps me to be more independent, is worth celebrating.
On the positive side, Imperia is a hot spot for Au Pairs, even being a small town! We have a group message to plan coffee meet ups, lunches, dinners, and weekend trips. A lot of the girls are taking a gap year after high school before starting university (a cultural norm in Europe and Australia). This places me at 7 years their senior, but I find myself connecting with them as if our birthdays are days apart. It’s a bit odd when I bring up the time period that I was partying in high school, and we remember that they were about 10 years old at that time. I came here to widen my perspective, and I’ve found that one of the best ways to do this is to be around people of different ages; my host parents, their children and my new friends are a wide range of ages, creating a broad range of personalities and mindsets. I wouldn’t have it any other way!
The town itself is utterly beautiful. Even the short drive to pick up the kids from school serves as a “pinch me” moment. I only work for 2-3 hours a day (M-F), so my free time is ample. I’m prioritizing deepening my tan and reading whenever I can. I’ve already finished five books! I stopped reading for pleasure when my career started to dominate my time; finding my way back to my bookworm ways deeply frees my inner child in a way that I wouldn’t have expected. I’ve also been cooking most of my meals at home, and the grocery stores are cheaper in price and higher in quality. My meals are heavy on pasta, pesto and amazing cheese. I brought my tightest jeans, assuming I’d lose a few pounds, and they are falling off of the lowest point of my hips. I’m living proof that carbs are not the enemy and walkable cities are your health’s best friend!
So far, I’ve had plenty of sunny beach days and put some hefty uphill miles on my Reeboks. I’ve mainly explored locally, with the exception of a day trip to Alassio and my first weekend trip. Saturday was spent exploring around the Cannes International Film Festival, then off to Monaco for Sunday to soak up the F1 Grand Prix vibes in Monte Carlo. Does any of this feel real to me? Honestly not really, but I certainly have enough space to sit with my gratitude and remain present in this beautifully unreal experience. I’m looking forward to Florence next weekend, stay tuned! Thanks for reading + take care 💛
Ciao,
T
