The eighth IRG Expat in Italy Interview takes us to a region we have not visited before, Campania, where IRG member Bonnie Alberts publishes her website, photoblog and blog “Napoli Unplugged”.
Bonnie moved to Naples with her husband in 2005. In 2010 she founded Napoli Unplugged, an English language website that serves tourists, expats and the local community. A freelance writer and photographer with a degree in Historic Preservation, Bonnie spends her days exploring the city of Naples and bringing it to life on her website, blog and photoblog.
Bonnie says: “An honest to God, living, breathing, working city, Naples is an ever evolving mosaic. Alive with colors, patterns and textures, a myriad of disparate pieces – ancient, old, and new create surprising harmony from seemingly random chaos.
Hence the fascination. Hence the fear.
A fear, though while unfounded, nevertheless keeps tourists away. After all, with a reputation for being gritty, dirty, chaotic, overcrowded, and dangerous, it’s easy to look down your nose at Naples. Even most Italians do. But ask a Neapolitan about his city and his face will light up with pride and he’ll tell you that it is the most beautiful city in the world.“
The Questions and Answers:
How long have you been living in Italy?
We came here in 2005 which seemed like a long time until I read everyone’s bios on Italian Reflections and realized we are just babes in the woods.
Who came up with the idea of living in Italy?
We are vagabonds at heart. We lived in Spain in the 80s and travelled a fair amount over the years. It seemed like everywhere we went we toyed with the idea of living there. Anywhere but the Washington DC suburbs we got stuck in for some 14 years. But having been stationed here in the ’70s and traveling back many, many times over the years, it was my husband’s life long dream to live in Naples. When a position came open here for him, we jumped at the chance.
How are you getting on with the Italian language?
I was in a restaurant in Bologna a few years ago bantering back and forth with a waiter when he asked me if I was Americana or Napoletana. To this day I have no idea what that says about my language skills, but while I am by no means bilingual yet, I am able to conduct my everyday life in Italy.
Having said that though I work on the language everyday and it has by no means come easy to me. I’ve done tapes, taken classes and still do weekly lessons with a private tutor. And just like bad hair days, I have bad Italian days when it seems as though the entire Italian language has been erased from my brain.
Do you miss your home and family?
I miss my son, but Napoli is my home. I love living here and in fact I’ve never felt so at home in my life.
Did you buy, or are you renting the place where you live?
We are renters through and through now and have even adopted the renters mentality here. Owning a home and all its trappings feels like wearing a ball and chain. We have been downsizing since 2005 and have whittled our life down from 4000 square feet to 600. Next stop, a furnished apartment. We own exactly zero houses and zero cars and for the first time in years I have only one couch, one bed, and one, okay two TVs. Computers, iphones, kindles, etc., well that’s another story.
What do you think about Italians?
It is no secret what I think about Naples and Neapolitans. This culture and these people have stolen my heart. Warm, generous and kind we have been made to feel very welcome, have made many friends and are quite often treated like family.
5 Good aspects of living in Italy?
1) Planes, trains and ferries oh my, I love the public transportation here. I can get anywhere I want to go in the city, the country, and Europe without a car.
2) Caffe, Neapolitan caffe that is.
3) Eating seasonally
4) Shopping daily at the local markets and neighborhood stores.
5) €1,80 Wine.
5 Bad aspects of living in Italy?
1) Until you learn the language there are a lot of things, especially cultural activities like the theater or seminars/classes that you can’t fully take advantage of.
2) The exchange rate (for us Americans). If any part of your income is in dollars it makes budgeting a bit of a nightmare.
3) Lack of diversity, especially in terms of ethnic foods.
4) There are only 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Not nearly enough time to see and do everything I want to here.
5) Living in Naples has ruined me for everywhere else. It is the yardstick against which all else will be measured.
5 Top tips for our readers about living in Italy?
1) PATIENCE! As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day and you are not going to adjust to living in Italy in a day either. But if you are open minded, patient, and don’t mind feeling like you are learning to walk all over again, you will do great.
2) LANGUAGE. You don’t have to be fluent, but learning a bit of the language will go a long way. The more you learn the richer the experience you will have here.
3) BALANCE. If you are moving to Italy then you are probably looking for a new way of life but you can’t divorce yourself from your own culture either. To survive and thrive here you will have to find the right balance between embracing the Italian culture, rituals and traditions while keeping some of your own. The same goes for friends. You need to create relationships with people in the local community as well as the expat community.
4) No matter where you go, there you are. Italy won’t change your life, you will.
5) Like all good love affairs, the honeymoon will end and you will be left with the routine of everyday life. Living in Italy is quite a different venture than vacationing here.
If you are planning on visiting Naples or the Campania Region don’t forget to check out her website Napoli Unplugged. See her Blog for stories, walking tours, recipes and just general musings about Naples and her Photoblog for “A Slice of Life in Napoli.
For the latest about what’s going on in Naples drop by Bonnie’s Napoli Unplugged Facebook fan page and follow her on twitter @napoliunplugged.
Have questions about Naples? Drop us her a line at administrator@napoliunplugged.com
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Nice answers Bonnie, I might even be persuaded to visit Napoli! Do you live right in the heart, or a bit more on the outskirts of town?
I agree with the Patience bit – just got to find some from somewhere now! I am learning – too slowly to take the frustrations in my stride – deep breaths and imagining a calm blue sea!! Usually works!
Love your interview, and again, many thanks for this daily/weekly trip to one of my most favorite cities/countries.
Thanks Giselle – Yes, we live right downtown in the Chiaia neighborhood and if you ever do come to Napoli I’d be happy to show you around. And don’t worry, you will find the patience to take things in stride – that is if you are just patient LOL.
And thank you Dixie, it is always so nice to hear from fellow Napoli lovers!
[...] Bonnie of Napoli Unplugged was interviewed by Italian Reflections [...]
I am married to a Neapolitan and grateful to Bonnie for taking this complicated and beautiful city and its people to her heart and sharing her experiences with us.