Renée
The most beautiful thing Italy has given me is passion. To turn very small, unimportant things into something very beautiful. It's not all about work or money. To make sure you don't end up in a rut by looking at things that make you happy. Yes, over the years I learned a lot from Italy.
During our stay in Lecce proved once again: everything here revolves around and with passion. Whether it's how the wind is, where you get the best burrata eat or where the sun sets best, the leccesia know very well how to make life insanely beautiful.
look around me
When I first moved in with my family Tuscany I learned to look around me. My parents took us to villages, visited endless churches and we walked out of our shoes. I thought everything was beautiful! I remember well that during the first holiday I constantly thought: I really think it's beautiful here… but why not in the Netherlands?
In Rome I learned not to be afraid of being alone. I never had such a claim in the Netherlands. With friends in Rome I got to know more people for a short time than I know in Amsterdam.
Only to Rome
When I went to Rome alone, I saw all those people again, I met new people again, and when I went out to dinner alone, I ate dessert with the two tables next to me. I learned not to be afraid to go on an adventure alone, to talk to people and, above all, not to worry about what others might think of me.
I enjoyed lunch on my own in Piazza Navona with a Nicci French and a large glass of wine in the sun, something I wouldn't dare to do in Amsterdam.
In Lecce I learned to forget time. Sit, not thinking about the next 10 minutes. Lying, in the blazing sun, without checking my phone how many likes I had on my Instagram.
Swimming and eating
Swimming, and choking for hours playing tennis in the water with my best friend. Just lie down after coming home from a long day at the beach. Take an extensive shower and then not go out to dinner in your shorts and sandals, but to look for the right outfit with the right shoes and it fits her well.
Eating, having endless conversations with the table next to us about what is really tasty and not worrying about what time you get your food, but enjoying the beautiful wine and the smiling people on the street.
Contact
So much and so easy contact with the people around us. During our time there we got to know a lot of people whom we both still talk to regularly. In Lecce (and also in Rome) I developed real friendships during my holidays, because I learned to take time for the moments and the conversations that followed.
By now you have understood what I learned from Italy. I'm in love with Italy, I lost my heart to Rome and I cheat on Lecce. On the morning of departure we woke up crying. What happened then…
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