Lots of people come to Italy with the romantic notion of buying a little place and settling down. Paul Simonis is the latest one. He came to stay at my bed & breakfast in Pescara (www.pescarabb.eu) last month while he researched the province.
There's a backstory, of course. Paul was born in Capetown and grew up in Pretoria. Educated as an engineer, he was about to be married when his fiancée changed her mind. Paul's response was to move to a totally different country and culture: Japan. In Tokyo, though, he wasn't really integrated all that much with the local culture. As a civil engineer, he was working in a resort for westernized Japanese businessmen, teaching English and western culinary techniques, mostly baking. He didn't learn Japanese, absorb local customs or take to Asian food. Instead, he's had a dream: to live in Italy.
Rome was too expensive, so Paul set his sights on the region of Abruzzo and the city of Pescara, one of the few Italian cities situated directly on the sea. From the Central Train Station to the beach is just 300 meters. He planned a two-week stay in Pescara over the Christmas-New Year's period.
He was well organized with numerous appointments throughout Pescara and surrounding towns. I often escorted him and introduced him to local food, wine and traditions. He visited many lovely towns such as Atri, Loreto Aprutino, Navelli etc.
On the day before he departed, I brought him to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, the oldest and most authentic town in Abruzzo, an hour's ride from the center of Pescara. We were a small group: my wife Adriana and other friends. We had lunch at a trattoria then walked through the streets of town.
On the way back to Pescara, we stopped in Tocco Casauria, my birthplace, and went to say hello to my parents. My dad speaks some English and Paul was overtaken by the real Italian ambiance he was experiencing. My mother made espresso and took out a delicious local home made cake.
Paul enjoyed Abruzzo, Pescara and all the little towns he visited, he loved Santo Stefano di Sessanio, the food and wine. His one complaint: that there seemed to be little choice of vegetables in all the restaurants. I had never considered this but it's quite true. Here in Abruzzo there are only salads or grilled vegetables if you are lucky. People are used to eating lots of vegetables at home, and when they go out to a restaurant, they tend to prefer other dishes.
Paul had an unforgettable experience. He told me it looks as if he will buy property in Loreto Aprutino where he saw a small house with two acres of land, olive trees and grapes. He needs to renovate a little. He does not know when he will move definitely but next summer he will certainly return. I'll let you know how it goes next.
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