I miss missing you…

               I am sorry. I have been shamefully quiet on my blog and while this is partly due to running around doing things. On the other hand, I have allowed my insecurities, laziness and lack of self-discipline overrule my duty and desire to make this blog as great as I possibly can. I not apologising to you readers, because I know everyday you are unendated with articles, blogs and interesting titbits. I know my blog is just one of many (I hope) interesting pieces available for you to pursue. But, I apologise to myself for letting myself down.

The majority of my posts so far on this blog have been informative pieces about the places I have been and things I have done. So, I have decided to mix it up. I am due to return to Italy next week and it feels like a good time to complete a draft that has been sitting in my folder for weeks. Besides, everyone loves a good list, don’t they?

What I missed about England:

• My family, of course. Staying with a family is great for many reasons, but you’re never fully part of their family and it can get a bit nostalgic.
• Decent buses when living outside of a major city.
• Toasters.
• Cadburys, I’m sorry Milka but you have nothing on our milky goodness.
• REAL Christmas trees, I’m sorry but for me the smell and texture of a real tree is acres better than a fake tree.
• My sofa.
• Penn State Sour Cream and Chive pretzels.
• Belgian buns with their raisin-ing icing goodness
• The English language, because generally I can understand it.
• Microwavable chocolate puddings, for those days when you feel absolutely pants and just want a chocolate pudding, some custard and a good book.
• Teaching as a passion and life calling rather than a job. I said it. The couple I saw who seemed to view teaching as a passion were always the ones I liked best.
• And most importantly, free tap water in every eating establishment.

 

What I miss about Italy:

• My Italian family, it’s difficult to keep in contact but something I will try to do.
• Real Italian pizza, it does trump our pizza all the time.
• Most of the food made by my Italian parents.
• Salty, oily salad that doesn’t earn me disapproving looks.
• Passion for good quality food, which is why this list is mostly food…
• Cycling without too much worry about being hit by a car.
• Variety and amount of interesting places to go. Psst, there is more to England than London!
• Mascarpone, both sweet and savoury.
• The Italian language, it’s a’ight really.
• Cheap and fantastic wine.
• A real community feel to life.

What I do not miss is not knowing what I was missing. I would much rather times of missing things from both countries than to have never experienced the differences. On the eve of my departure, I know I will miss lots about England, but that’s okay because while I am here, there is plenty I miss about Italy.

What do you miss when you’re away from the place you grew up? What do you miss about places you visit? Let me know in the comments!