Yes it’s true, an article I wrote has appeared in an Abruzzo magazine called LACERBA.
LACERBA publishes 8 editions a year and covers all things political, cultural and sport related in the Vestina area of Abruzzo. Vestina (the lands of the ancient Vestini tribe) takes in Penne, Loreto Aprutino, Pianella, Collecorvino and Civitella Casanova.
If you’re interested in reading the article you can find it on page 14 of edition number 7, 2011 entitled C’E UNA LORETO ANCHE A DUBLINO.
So how did this happen?
Earlier this year, Gianfranco Bucella of LACERBA asked me if I would be interested in writing something for their magazine. I was delighted to have been asked and immediately said yes. He said he was hoping that I could give an outsiders view on Abruzzo and Loreto Aprutino perhaps covering what I liked, what drew us to the region and also covering the differences between life in Ireland and life in Abruzzo. He was particularly clear that he also wanted me to highlight the things I don’t like about Abruzzo and would love to see change.
This seemed like a lot of writing and considering the article was going to be no more than 1,000 words I figured I couldn’t possibly cover everything asked for.
And did I mention it had to be in Italian!
I’ve been working on my Italian informally for a few years now and this year I realised that I had to go back to school. This has proved to be a great decision and I’ve noticed my ability to understand and be understood has become a lot better. But to write 1,000 words in Italian that is going to be read by other Italians – that was a bit scary.
I needed a plan, not much of a plan, but a plan all the same.
I decided I’d write an article about what attracted us to Abruzzo and the advice I’d give to somebody who wanted to fit in and become part of the community. My approach was influenced by the thought that I’d probably have better chance of being asked to write more pieces if I leave any strong criticisms out of my first effort.
The next thing I did was a bit of a cheat. I used Google Translate to help with the Italian. I know Google Translate doesn’t give perfect translations but I found that with my knowledge of Italian, however limited, and some restructuring of the original English (making sure I didn’t drop any use of the word “that” and using unambiguous word ordering) I had a piece that captured the sense of what I wanted to say.
Finally a translator from LACERBA stepped in and tidied up my Italian based on the Italian and English I provided.
It was a good bit of work for 1,000 words but it was worth it.
To appear in print, to write in Italian – and today I received an email asking for more articles!
I’m thrilled to bits.
Below is the English version (without the restructuring) of the piece I wrote. I hope you like it.
If you fancy seeing how good and how not so good Google Translate is, copy the Italian version from LACERBA and see the result. I think he overall theme holds up but some of the detail is lost.
How would I describe Loreto Aprutino?
What would I say to somebody who arrives for the first time?
I started thinking about these questions a few days ago because I received a surprise telephone call from Loreto. It was from John (English), who like us (Irish), tries to spend as much time as possible in Abruzzo. He said that he had met a couple (American) who have bought a house in Loreto Aprutino and that they were readers of my blog About Abruzzo (http://aboutabruzzo.com/).
I was delighted to hear from John and also to learn that not only has somebody new been reading what I write about Abruzzo but also that they liked what they read so much they decided to explore the region in more detail and decided to buy a place in Loreto Aprutino.
Then I started to think about what brought Paula and me to Loreto, how thrilled we are every time we return, how wonderful it is to be able to walk to Piazza Garibaldi and on the way meet friends who seem pleased to see us back and greet us with a kiss, a hug and all the latest news.
Abruzzo has a lot to offer so it’s difficult to pick one thing above another. I could talk about the mountains, the sea, the food, and the weather – all important ingredients that make Abruzzo wonderful. But if I had to select the best thing about Abruzzo and Loreto Aprutino in particular then I’d have to choose the people. I like to think in some small way my attitude to life has been influenced by the Loretese for the better. That’s something precious I try not to lose during the months I’m away.
So the best advice I could give to anybody arriving in Loreto is that they get to know the people who live here. Without connecting with the Loretese you will never be able to experience the best facet of the town.
You don’t have to do much to make this happen. You have the advantage of being in Loreto Aprutino, a town where people’s natural openness and curiosity will ensure that if you are willing to make a small effort, you’ll receive a warm welcome.
But you do have to make a little effort.
First learn some Italian. Being fluent would be fantastic but if you are like me you’ll always be struggling trying to improve your command of the language. That’s OK. The most important thing is to try it, work at it a little; there are plenty of extra teachers available to you in the bars, the shops and the square – all free of charge and all willing to help!
When we first arrived in Loreto we didn’t really know anybody. Soon we recognised a few faces and we said “hello” but we didn’t have many meaningful conversations. Once we could put together a few sentences and lost some of our inhibitions a strange thing happened – we started talking in Italian. Once we could have good dialogues we found we were getting to know people better. People were patient and helped us when we had difficulties saying what we wanted to say. They started telling us about places to visit, festivals to look out for, wine to try, food to eat… the list is endless. Yes we certainly made an effort, but it couldn’t possibly have worked out as well as it did if the Loretese were not patient and encouraging.
The second piece of advice I’d give is simple, be open. You’re in a town where everybody (certainly everybody I’ve met) is friendly and curious and if you are willing to invest the time telling people who you are, where you’re from and why you’re in Loreto, before you know it you’ll be sharing jokes and coffee with new friends.
It wasn’t very long after I first arrived in Loreto that I quickly made friends with people who have an interest in photography like I do. Soon after that I was invited by Lino to a beautiful small church that was being restored and I had the opportunity to take some great photographs there. A few days later Rita kindly gave Paula a lesson in how to make really good pasta. And just a few months ago as I was getting ready to head back to Dublin I was spotted in the square by Gianfranco and brought to a spectacular field of sunflowers and a chance to take some more super photographs. These opportunities only came our way because of the generosity of friends who had become aware of our interests.
The third piece of advice is you should learn the language of food. I think almost half of the conversations I’ve had in Loreto have been about food. In Ireland we talk about the weather quite a lot but I don’t think I’ve ever been to a town where lunch and dinner were such a major event. What are you having for lunch? Have you tried bread, with oil and salt? Oil from Loreto of course! You must try arrosticini? Do you like pasta – have you had chitarra, mugnaia? You must try bucatini alla trescatora.
If you can speak a little Italian, if you are ready to make friends and if you embrace the passion for food, I think you’ll be much closer to connecting with the people of Loreto.
Sometimes when I’m sitting outside a bar having a coffee I just listen to the voices around me. Usually I hear Italian, maybe a little French, now and then some English and perhaps some German. Loreto attracts people from all over Europe, The United States, Canada and as far away as Australia. It’s a true cosmopolitan town. It acts like a magnet pulling people towards it and giving them the chance to experience something special.
For those stranieri willing to make an effort, Loreto is very special indeed.
