You'd think I'd get it by now.
I've lived in Italy two + years, and I still find myself having American expectations about time.
Things move slower in Italy. And in the south, snails move faster. Still, no one gets perturbed. No one shouts and waves their arms. They simply say:
Piano piano.
What's Your Hurry, Really?
Piano, piano means "slowly, slowly." It's the response to just about everything.
You're frustrated because you aren't fluent in Italian yet?
Piano, piano.
Your home remodel is taking months instead of the weeks you were promised?
Piano, piano.
Your internet hasn't been switched on after a week of waiting?
Piano, piano.
Yes, things in life could be handled more efficiently. People could move faster. But that would take some of the sweetness out of life here.
You have to accept things the way they are.
Living Piano, Piano
I'm getting better about not being quite so impatient when things go slower than I want. Here's an example. I just signed a lease for a space for an art studio (yay!). Right now, it's an empty room.
I've ordered furniture online. No, not from Amazon, which means it'll probably be two weeks before it arrives.
Piano, piano.
I still need electricity and wifi. The appointment I made with the energy consultant who helps set these up got rescheduled two times. Which means I'm waiting longer for these services.
But...two days after I went to the city hall to set up water, I got it! Italy loves to throw surprises at you and sometimes exceeds your expectations.
So, in my empty room, I do a little each day. Piano, piano. There's no rush. Soon enough, I'll be making art and herby things there.
Learning to live piano, piano might just be a lifelong lesson for me and other expats!
P.S. I bought the snail in the photo above at a wine fest (for €18!!). His name is Mauro. He's here to remind me to go piano, piano!
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