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With the “Botswana Idea” now well and truly in the circular file, I have decided to revisit my original plan to take my dream to Italy.
It’s still a massive elephant, in many respects. Imagine discovering that your dream house has half its back wall and a big chunk of its roof missing! To most people, this would be an absolute disaster. To me, it is part of the adventure, a whole new chapter to blog about. And lots of blue fingernails and toenails to take pictures of! It’s sweat equity, and an excellent way to get to know the local artisans and craftspeople. Plus my Italian swear-word vocabulary would definitely be extended…
Now that I am (more) serious about the Italian idea, it is easier to map a plan of action. There are many things, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on international traveling, that are still beyond my control. There are, however, some aspects of this goal that I can already plan and budget for. So that’s exactly what I am doing.
Preparations for this trip include the following:
- Learning to speak passable Italian, with some technical terms thrown in so that I can make myself understood (and understand them!) to the builders, artisans, and geometra.
- Writing and publishing enough material to earn me the necessary passive income that I need to satisfy the visa requirements for not being a burden on the Italian state.
- Collecting forms and checklists for the required permissions and visas that I would need to apply for. Finding out the exact procedures, so that I don’t have to scurry about like a mad rat on the day. Creating an envelope for those forms and photographs.
- Applying for a Maxi-passport.
- The nature of my project means that I will have a property in Italy. I might have to add a rental agreement if I can’t live on-site.
- Thinking about and making lists of materials that I would likely need to purchase to get my house rebuilt in the condition that I would like to see it in!
- Considering the gardens. Making a list of tools and plants that I would like to see growing. Finding out about seed imports (legally, with permits).
- “Green” electricity and rainwater collection. Listing the components.
Italy does have “big box” hardware stores in the larger towns and cities, but most of what I need will have to be purchased from local general dealerships. It may sound rather inconvenient, but I absolutely love the idea of supporting local small businesses instead of big international stores. Especially if it means the products that I buy aren’t made in China.
It might intrigue people that I have no intention of moving to the big Italian cities, but have opted to buy and build in the countryside instead. There are a few reasons for that, most of them pretty simple. The first is that I don’t want to become part of an “ex-pat” community. By living in the country, I am forced to blend in with the local community, learn to speak the language, and experience the culture. The second grows from that – I get to know the “real” Italy, not the cosmopolitan, touristy part of the country. The advantage is that I can always visit those places if I feel like mixing with tourists, but I don’t have to. And the third is simple: thieves are where unsuspecting foreigners are. The countryside should be relatively crime-free. And that attracts me to that part of the country.
Property is relatively cheap there if one is willing to work at restoring old houses to their former glory. To me, that’s part of the adventure, but I can understand if it seems daunting.
Finally, the Piedmont region of Italy is home to what is now the international Slow-Food movement. Good food made really good. Farmers’ markets abound and I am sure that whatever surplus I can produce will be well accepted within those local communities, and maybe even by the odd tourist! It will be quite ironic if a South African visitor buys something I have made to bring a “taste of Italy” back here! But then I guess I shall bring a “taste of South Africa” to Italy with me as well. That is how food culture works.
THAT is the end that I have in mind. It’s not about running away or turning my back on my country and my people. I need to spread my wings and experience new things. And being me in Italy would give me exactly that.
Well, now that the “Why” has been established and the “How” has been roughly listed in order, it is time to get to the action! Just because I have to wait for some blocks to fall in place doesn’t mean that I can’t spend the time doing some things as well! I am on my way. Watch out!
