Author: Fabian

  • A Nice Weekend to Remember

    A Nice Weekend to Remember

    What a weekend we had! It all started on Friday with the wedding of Santiago and Mariel, a young couple from Argentina. They recently relocated here so Santiago could claim his Italian citizenship. The wedding was officiated by the mayor, and the ceremony was made even sweeter when little Vasi, Iva and Antonino’s daughter, ended up helping the mayor finish the ceremony. It was a beautiful touch that made everyone smile.

    Iva and Sandra bought a lovely bouquet for the bride, and Gustavo was in charge of capturing the special moments with his camera. Natalia and Antonino were the witnesses—everything felt intimate and full of warmth. The newlyweds wanted a small, potluck-style reception, so we all brought something to share. We started a fire, and I grilled some burgers, kabobs, and even heart kabobs that the bride had marinated in a special sauce—delicious! There was pizza, homemade pâté, tramezzini, and an incredible meat pie that Gianni prepared. Antonino, being the witness, gifted the couple a beautiful cake. We toasted with wine and Prosecco and even danced the waltz—yes, even Sandra and I, and we haven’t danced since Fiamma’s wedding! It was a night full of laughter, music, and friendship, with the couple glowing from happiness.

    Saturday was rainy, so it was a perfect day to rest and recharge.

    On Sunday, we headed to Gustavo and Natalia’s place to lend a hand with their new house. Well… more like Fermín lent a hand—he’s definitely doing more than me! The day’s big job was setting the posts and beams for the new roof. The posts were the easy part, but the beams… not so much. These monsters were 20cm x 20cm and over 6 meters long, and they had to be carried across an old metal roof—definitely not a job for the faint of heart. Hugo and Gustavo planned everything out and led the way, making sure everything went smoothly. The stress level was high, but by the end of the day, the structure was up, and everything was ready for the new roof.

    While we worked, Sandra and Iva had the hard job—taking care of the little ones, Vasi and Numa, two energetic toddlers. Keeping those two busy and happy is definitely not an easy task!

    In the middle of the workday, we gathered around the table for a feast. I grilled some more burgers, Sandra, Mariel, and Iva prepared the fixings, and Antonino made a sautéed cabbage and onion dish that disappeared before I could even get a taste. It was one of those days where everyone pitched in, laughed, and worked side by side—a true show of friendship and camaraderie. The vibe was incredible, and it made us feel even more grateful to be part of this community.

    These are the moments that remind us why we’re here—simple, beautiful days surrounded by good friends.

    Here are the links to L’Ostello San Martino and La Via di Francesco

    That’s all for now. More updates soon!

    Sandra, Fermin and Fabian

  • House Hunting and Driving Around Here

    House Hunting and Driving Around Here

    “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a house in Italy, and that’s kind of the same thing.” — Anonymous

    We are in the process of looking for a house to buy, as well as an uliveto (olive grove). Even when it seems easy since there are many abandoned groves and empty houses, the reality is a bit more complicated. I am not sure if it is because owners are scared of “possible seller’s remorse” or just don’t want to sell. Another problem is that the ones that are listed for sale are, most of them, out of our budget.

    We have Gustavo and Natalia, who showed us some houses, and also Antonino, who connected us with some owners to see other houses. Antonino is an architect and gave us advice about what we were looking at. After living for the last 25 years in the USA, we realized that construction here is quite different. That advice helped us, for example, to identify some asbestos roofs that, when removed, would cost over 5000 euros to dispose of properly.

    Now, after looking in several different borgos, we are starting to understand the market better. One thing we quickly noticed is that many of the houses are pretty small—medieval houses were built for a very different lifestyle than today’s. Another interesting thing is that most of them don’t have bathrooms inside the house. When they were built, plumbing was not common at all (except for the upper classes), so people relied on communal latrines. Later, when waste management and plumbing became more widespread, bathrooms were added—but often on the balconies!

    Bathrooms built on the balconies

    When we were with the owners at the house we didn’t buy because of the asbestos removal issue, they were showing all the necessary papers (deed, etc.) to our architect friend. There were three owners plus the realtor, all talking at the same time and explaining things to our friend while he was trying to verify if everything was in order. I stood off to the side, trying to follow along and pick up on anything I could. If you didn’t know what was going on, you would have guessed that everything was wrong—no deed, no succession, a total mess! But when they finished, I pulled my friend aside and asked, “Anything wrong?” He said, “No, everything is right, the papers are good.” So why all that heated discussion? “That’s just how we communicate,” he laughed. It’s a learning process! (I will get there 🙂 )

    We have one house that we like and that we might be able to get. There’s a chance the owner won’t accept our offer, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed!

    Now, onto the driving experience.

    Driving in Italy is “interesting.” Everybody knows that life here moves at a much slower pace than in the USA, and for many of us, that’s one of the biggest reasons to love Italy. Italians even coined the phrase Dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing) and that deserve a separate post.

    Dolce far Niente

    And it’s true… until they get behind the wheel. Then they flip a switch and suddenly start speeding, tailgating, cutting you off, parking wherever they please, and making driving a bit of a wild experience. Like I said before, after driving in the USA for so many years, I’ve become soft and gentle on the road. I’m not sure if I will keep driving like I do now for long or if I will soon become Italian behind the wheel!

    This was only my second time renting a car in Italy. The first time, I paid a little too much for insurance because I didn’t know better. The second time, I was ready. I booked everything online through the company’s website, making sure to include full coverage insurance—Rome drivers are intense, and I didn’t want to take any risks.

    When I arrived at the rental office about an hour early, I decided to ask if I could get the car sooner. This was the conversation:

    Me: Hi, I know I am a little early, but I was wondering if I could have the car now.
    Guy: Yes, sir, not a problem.
    Me: Thank you!
    Guy: Next time, just rent the car online without insurance, and I will add the insurance here (same price) so I can give you upgrades like early pickup without charging you extra.
    Me: Ohh, I didn’t know…
    Guy: No problem. Let me check how much extra I should collect.
    Me: Okay…
    Guy: (holding the keys) It will be 115 euros.
    Me: That’s fine, I can wait. (I had paid 160 euros for the whole week, including insurance, so paying almost the same for an extra hour wasn’t worth it.)
    Guy: Let me check what I can do. (He hands me the keys.)
    Me: Thank you.
    Guy: I can charge you just 70 euros.
    Me: No way, I’ll wait.
    Guy: No worries, let me check if the car is already in.
    Me: (holding the keys) Okay…
    Guy: Go ahead and get the car. Thank you for your business!

    Sometimes, things just work out in funny ways!

    OK Mobility has good prices (just do it online and, unless you have a credit card that covers you, opt for premium coverage)

    Advice: Try to do everything online, At the desk they will try to “squeeze ” you with “special offers” and always be prepared to walk away if the price isn’t right!

    Next time, I’ll just rent a Vespa!

    That’s all for now. More updates soon!

  • First Days in Poggio Moiano!

    First Days in Poggio Moiano!

    (scroll down por Español)

    “A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” Tim Cahill

    After months of planning, selling, packing, and one incredibly stressful journey, we finally arrived in Poggio Moiano, our first home in Italy! 🇮🇹✨

    As we’ve shared before, choosing the Sabina region was an easy decision. The area’s rich agricultural history, strong sense of community, and stunning landscapes made it the perfect place for our olive oil journey. But why Poggio Moiano specifically? It all came down to connections and kindness.

    From the moment we arrived, we felt an automatic sense of community—especially with fellow expats who welcomed us with open arms. A huge part of that warm welcome came from Gustavo and Natalia, who have been nothing short of amazing. We already mentioned how they met us at the train station, brought us to their home for a comforting first meal, and made us feel like family. But their kindness didn’t stop there!

    They have helped us with:

    Transportation & Translation – From paperwork runs to Rieti to countless house and olive grove visits, they’ve been by our side.
    Finding Our First Home – They connected us with the house where we’ll be staying for the next three months while we look for something more permanent.
    Support & Friendship – Moving to a new country is overwhelming, but having friends like them makes all the difference.

    We can’t thank them enough! If you’re curious about their journey restoring a medieval home in Italy, check out their YouTube channel: 🎥 RECICLANDO UNA CASA MEDIEVAL EN ITALIA

    Another wonderful person we met right away was Gianni, who picked us up at the train station. He has a huge heart—he even offered us his car if we need it! Not only that, but he’s been teaching Fermin to drive a manual car and invited us to his home for dinner, where he prepared an amazing wild boar dish. 🍽️

    Our Italian teacher, Iva, and her husband Antonino, are also incredible. Iva lived in Montevideo, Uruguay for three years, so she speaks just like us—even using “tipo” and “boludo” in conversation! They have been so generous, offering to help with anything we need. Antonino’s father owns 900+ olive trees, and he himself is an architect, so he also offered us help in choosing the right olive grove and home.

    As for the rest of the town, people are definitely curious about us—but in a friendly way! Poggio Moiano is a small town of about 2,700 people, where everyone knows each other. The language is a bit of a barrier, but we’re trying, and we can tell that people appreciate the effort. They are willing to help, and we already feel like part of this wonderful community.

    Stay tuned for our next post: Looking for the perfect grove!

    With love,
    Sandra, Fabian, Fermín

    Español

    Después de meses de planificación, ventas, empacar y un viaje increíblemente estresante, ¡finalmente llegamos a Poggio Moiano, nuestro primer hogar en Italia! Como hemos compartido antes, elegir la región de Sabina fue una decisión fácil. Su rica historia agrícola, su fuerte sentido de comunidad y sus paisajes impresionantes la convirtieron en el lugar perfecto para nuestra aventura con el aceite de oliva. Pero, ¿por qué específicamente Poggio Moiano? Todo se redujo a conexiones y cordialidad.

    Desde el momento en que llegamos, sentimos un inmediato sentido de comunidad, especialmente con otros expatriados que nos recibieron con los brazos abiertos. Una gran parte de esa cálida bienvenida vino de Gustavo y Natalia, quienes han sido simplemente increíbles. Ya mencionamos cómo nos recogieron en la estación de tren, nos llevaron a su casa para nuestra primera comida reconfortante y nos hicieron sentir como en familia. ¡Pero su amabilidad no terminó ahí!

    Nos han ayudado con:

    • Transporte y Traducción – Desde los trámites en Rieti hasta incontables visitas a casas y olivares, han estado a nuestro lado.
    • Encontrar nuestro primer hogar – Nos conectaron con la casa donde nos quedaremos los próximos tres meses mientras buscamos algo más permanente.
    • Apoyo y Amistad – Mudarse a un nuevo país es abrumador, pero tener amigos como ellos marca toda la diferencia.

    ¡No podemos agradecerles lo suficiente! Si tienen curiosidad sobre su proyecto restaurando una casa medieval en Italia, visiten su canal de YouTube: 🎥 RECICLANDO UNA CASA MEDIEVAL EN ITALIA

    Otra persona maravillosa que conocimos de inmediato fue Gianni, quien nos recogió en la estación de tren. Tiene un corazón enorme—¡incluso nos ofreció su auto si lo necesitábamos! No solo eso, sino que también le está enseñando a Fermín a manejar un coche con transmisión manual y nos invitó a su casa a cenar, donde preparó un increíble plato de jabalí. 🍽️

    Nuestra profesora de italiano, Iva, y su esposo Antonino, también son increíbles. Iva vivió en Montevideo, Uruguay, durante tres años, ¡así que habla igual que nosotros! Incluso usa expresiones como “tipo” y “boludo” en la conversación. Han sido muy generosos y nos han ofrecido ayuda con lo que necesitemos. El padre de Antonino tiene más de 900 olivos, y él mismo es arquitecto, así que también nos ha ofrecido su ayuda para elegir el olivar y la casa adecuada.

    En cuanto al resto del pueblo, la gente definitivamente siente curiosidad por nosotros, ¡pero de una manera amigable! Poggio Moiano es un pequeño pueblo de aproximadamente 2,700 personas, donde todos se conocen. El idioma es un pequeño obstáculo, pero lo estamos intentando, y podemos notar que la gente aprecia el esfuerzo. Son muy dispuestos a ayudar, y ya nos sentimos parte de esta maravillosa comunidad.

    Con amor, Sandra, Fabian y Fermin

  • The Trip!

    The Trip!

    After months of planning, selling, packing, and preparing, the day of our big journey to Italy finally arrived. It felt surreal, like the culmination of years of dreaming and months of intense effort all bundled into a single, emotional day.

    The trip itself was a two-leg journey. The first flight was from RDU (Raleigh-Durham International Airport) to FRA (Frankfurt), followed by a four-hour layover before our second flight to FCO (Rome Fiumicino). The animals—our two big dogs and our cat, Monday—were the biggest source of stress, starting well before the trip even began.

    Francesca
    Monday
    Draco

    Booking the animals was far from smooth. After securing our tickets, we had to call to reserve space for the animals in the cargo hold, as space is limited. We wanted all three in the hold because Monday, our cat, becomes very upset when traveling in a car. Lufthansa’s process for this was far from well-oiled. I called at least ten different times, receiving conflicting answers each time. At first, they “confirmed” all the animals in the hold for both flights, but later, they said nothing was confirmed and made me redo the process, uploading paperwork all over again. Eventually, the dogs were confirmed in the hold, but Monday’s status remained uncertain. In the end, the dogs traveled in the hold without issue, but Monday had to be picked up in Frankfurt and continued the journey in the cabin. The inconsistency and communication difficulties (not helped by our strong accents) made it a frustrating process.

    Trip Day

    The day of the trip started very early. We cleaned up the house, finalized details for a yard sale scheduled for a week after our departure, and coordinated last-minute logistics. One critical task was meeting our UPS driver to collect the endorsed health certificates for Draco and Monday, which had been sent from Missouri the night before. From there, I picked up our friend David, who had agreed to drive the rented U-Haul—loaded with the kennels—to the airport.

    At the airport, Lufthansa charged us a fortune for the animals. While the cost would have been fine if the service matched, it was far from seamless. After lots of tears, kisses, and goodbyes, we boarded the plane.

    That’s when my tracking obsession kicked in. Throughout the flight, I kept checking the app, which indicated that one of the animals hadn’t been loaded. Despite calling multiple flight attendants for updates and receiving conflicting answers, one attendant finally reassured us after speaking to the pilot—all the animals were indeed on board. We relaxed, the flight was smooth, the food was okay, and we arrived in Frankfurt on time.

    Frankfurt Stress

    Upon landing, my heart sank when I received a notification that one of the “packages” hadn’t been loaded. It was Monday (the cat). We rushed to baggage claim and found her kennel sitting alone in the middle of nowhere. Thankfully, she was fine! I went to the office to confirm the status of the dogs, who were supposed to transfer directly to the next plane. They assured me that if there were any issues, I’d be notified via phone (which, of course, didn’t inspire much confidence).

    When it was time to check Monday in for the next flight, we discovered yet another issue: her kennel was fine for the hold but not allowed in the cabin. Cabin rules required a soft carrier. Fermin had to buy a new soft bag at the airport for an eye-watering €90. Despite the chaos, Monday was a saint during the final flight. A kind flight attendant even came to let us know both dogs were safely in the hold. I confirmed this on the app as well, which finally put us at ease.

    Rome Arrival

    The flight from Frankfurt to Rome was short and uneventful. Upon arrival, we were relieved to find the dogs well cared for—fed, watered, and safe. The kennels, however, were so massive they couldn’t fit in the elevator to the train station. Thankfully, we found a couple of guys who helped carry the kennels for us and agreed (for a small fee) to dispose of them afterward.

    • Sorry about the lack of pictures but we were too stressed out …

    The train ride to Fara in Sabina was a breath of fresh air. It was clean, on time, and calm, with the dogs on their leashes receiving plenty of hugs and kisses.

    When we arrived in Fara in Sabina, Gustavo, Gianni, and Numa were waiting to pick us up in a Mercedes-Benz van. We all piled in, sharing stories and drinking mate as we drove to pick up our apartment keys.

    After dropping everything off at the apartment, we headed to the Centro Storico to Gustavo and Natalia’s home, where they welcomed us with an incredible lentil stew.

    Over dinner, we shared laughter, reflections on the trip, and plans for the days ahead. Exhausted but happy, we returned to the apartment and fell into bed, ready to begin our new life in Italy.

    The trip was chaotic and emotional, but we made it—and that’s what matters. It was the beginning of something much greater: our new chapter in Italy.

    Stay tuned for our next post: First Days in Poggio Moiano!

    With love,
    Sandra, Fabian, Fermín

  • Getting Ready For The Big Jump!

    Getting Ready For The Big Jump!

    Note: this post is just about the material stuff, I will write another one about love ones...

    The decision to move to Italy was one thing; preparing for it has been another adventure entirely. As the departure date draws closer, our days are filled with lists, logistics, and a good dose of nostalgia.

    The first big step? Letting go. We’ve been selling nearly everything—furniture, keepsakes, and the everyday items that made up the backdrop of our lives in the U.S. That includes saying goodbye to our two businesses and both cars. Each sale feels like a step closer to Italy but also a bittersweet goodbye to a chapter we cherished deeply.

    There are some things, however, that we’re not ready to part with. We’ve carefully selected a pallet of items we want to bring with us—keepsakes, heirlooms, and tools that will help us start anew. This pallet will wait patiently in a storage unit until we find our home in Italy, ready to join us once we’re settled.

    Loading the pallet with Fermin!

    Pallet ready to be picked up! David is not in the picture but was there!

    Then, there’s the matter of our fur family—two big, lovable dogs and our adventurous cat. Preparing them for this journey has been a mission of its own. We’ve navigated health checks, vaccinations, paperwork, and crate building and training to ensure they’re ready for the long trip across the ocean. Ensuring their comfort and safety is one of our top priorities, and their companionship will make our new home feel whole from day one. One of the final hurdles was obtaining the USDA endorsement for Fermín’s animals. It came through on the very morning of our trip. We were able to get it early, thanks to having the UPS driver’s cellphone number—a small but meaningful victory that kept everything on track.

    It’s a whirlwind of preparation, but every step brings us closer to the life we’re dreaming of. The big jump isn’t just about crossing an ocean; it’s about leaping into the unknown with faith, hope, and excitement for what’s to come.

    As we tie up loose ends and say our goodbyes, we’re keeping our eyes on the horizon. This journey isn’t just about moving to Italy; it’s about embracing change, cherishing what matters most, and building a life we can’t wait to live.

    Thank you for following along as we get ready for the big jump. There’s so much more to come, and we’re thrilled to share it with you.

    Stay tuned for our next post: The Trip!

    With love,
    Sandra, Fabian, Fermín

  • New Beginnings: Why We Chose Italy for Our Next Chapter

    New Beginnings: Why We Chose Italy for Our Next Chapter

    After 24 years in the United States, filled with countless markets, miles traveled, and the sweet satisfaction of building a life from scratch, our family is embarking on a new journey. It’s a journey that’s been in our hearts for years: moving to Italy.

    Why Italy? For us, it’s a place that embodies everything we hold dear—family, tradition, and a connection to the land. Sandra’s Italian ancestry brought us to this decision, but it’s our shared dream that is driving it forward.

    In the U.S., we built a life around food—making jellies, bread, cheese, peanut butter, and most recently, crafting pasta. We ran farmers’ markets, nurtured community farms, and sold at market stalls from North Carolina to Virginia. Each of those steps was part of a larger journey, one that now leads us to a new chapter in the olive groves of Sabina.

    Our decision to move to Italy is about more than just roots; it’s about creating something lasting. We want to grow and harvest organic olives, make high-quality olive oil, and collaborate with local producers who share our values. We’re inspired by Italy’s pace of life, its reverence for tradition, and its deep respect for food and family.

    But this move hasn’t come without sacrifices. Fiamma, Caspian, and Cody have decided to remain in the U.S. as they carve out their own paths, and leaving them behind has left us a bit heartbroken. It’s bittersweet to start this new chapter knowing that part of our family will be far away. Still, we take comfort in the memories we’ve created together and the bonds that will endure across the miles.

    This is a leap of faith, but one we’re taking with full hearts. We’ve spent over two decades writing a story of resilience and reinvention in the U.S., and now we’re ready to write the next chapter in Italy.

    We hope this blog will be a space to share our journey—the challenges, the triumphs, and the everyday moments that remind us why we chose this path. Thank you for joining us as we take these first steps into a new beginning.

    Stay tuned for the next one: Getting Ready For The Big Jump!

    Sandra, Fermin, and Fabian

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