It's been 4 1/2 years since we moved to Tuscany from Los Angeles

  The last time that I posted, I said that we'd been here for 3 years and that I was going to become an Italian citizen. In August, we'll have been here for 5 years and we'll be eligible for full-time residency. I've decided not to become an Italian at this time and a lot of what went into my decision is how the world has changed since we made the move to Italy.

  With all of the immigrants coming into Europe, there's a bigger scare of terrorism these days. Most of them come through Italy first and make their way into the E.U. We were in Milan the night the Berlin terrorist was shot and killed. We were staying about 25 minutes from where he was killed by police after he opened fire on them. I still feel safer here than in the United States with all of the 2nd Amendment enthusiasts and gun violence happening in the U.S.

   I don't regret making the move to Italy and we have such a great group of friends! Dancing Zumba and Latin dancing has become something that we love and it helps combat the weight gain from the incredible food that exists here! Most of our new friends come from the group of dancers that we've been meeting.

  We've updated our house recently inside and out and put in a pizza oven in the yard. I've really become a decent farmer with my vegetable garden and have planted olive and fruit trees!

  I'm thinking of starting up my blog again as I feel I have things and experiences to share that you might find interesting! My Italian is not as good as I'd like, but it's getting better.

 Ciao for now!

Settling in after 3 years here in Italia

  August 10th marked our 3rd year living here full-time in Italy. We've been through so much having to fulfill requirements for residency and to obtain an Italian drivers license. We've learned so much too, and sometimes by word of mouth from friends about things like having to pay a wealth tax if you live in the country over 6 months as well as income tax on the difference that we pay in the United States.

  Well, I stopped blogging 3 years ago and now I'm gonna start up again posting about my experiences in Italy. We'll have our new promesso di soggiornos in a week and at that time I can start the process of becoming an Italian citizen. 

  Ciao for now!

David A. Mancini

  

Wine harvest time in Italia

The past couple of weeks here in Italy have been all about wine. The top 2 pictures were taken at a vineyard in Frascole, where the winemaker, Marzio, makes Chianti and a real nice Pinot Nero. We met Marzio at the Festa di Gusto, in Borgo San Lorenzo a few weeks ago and we bought 42 bottles of his 2008 Chianti for 100 Euros. A good deal indeeed! When we went to his vineyard, he let us taste wine right from the fermenters and from the oak barrels. His Pinot Nero is very nice and he also makes a Chianti with 85% Sangiovese and 15% Pinot Nero.

The next picture was taken right across our driveway the day our local farmers were harvesting their 2012 vintage and the last picture was taken at Gnam Wine Bar, in Vicchio, which is now our favorite local wine bar.

We've been in Italia for 5 weeks!

I golfed for the 2nd time since we arrived in Italy 5 weeks ago. We've been very busy taking care of Italian document issues, but we have our Carta d' Identitas and our Promesso di Soggiornos are on their way.

We're starting to settle in with our new Italian lifestyles and getting more and more comfortable with being in Italy full-time. I'm understanding a lot more Italian and speaking a bit more and I'm encouraged that I'll be getting much better as time goes by. It's been hard to blog with everything going on for us, but our V.W. Jetta diesel and household possessions will arrive soon and that will make it feel more like home. Italians invented red-tape, so we're going along for the ride and doing what we've been asked to do and paying our taxes and other bills as they come due associated with becoming legal guests of Italia!

I want to return to the Tuscan Forest

These are photos from last year's visit to a Monastery high up in the Tuscan forest. It's almost 1,000 years old and truly remarkable. We look forward to a return visit!

We're on our way to Tuscany!

  Well, the time has come to start preparing for our move to Italia! I recently achieved the 60,000 hours plateau as my last requirement to retire with a full-pension. It took 32 years to get here, 28 at Warner Bros. and I plan to retire on August 3rd.  Linda's last day as legal secretary (after 34 years) is on July 27th.

  Now it's time for us to start living "La Dolce Vita" in Italia!

  Ciao!

David

Porcini Festival in Ronta

Last year we tried to attend the Ronta Porcini Funghi Feste, but we couldn't find the location thinking it would be easy to find since Ronta is a small town. This year we asked a couple of questions and found the location was just off the main road. We got there early and I wondered how many people would attend, but after an hour or so, the place was packed and a nice gathering for the beautiful Tuscan evening. We had everything with Porcini except Gelato! We will go back again!