When you share your plans: “I’m going to Italy for two (or three) months!” be prepared to handle the reactions. You’ll find three main reactions. 1.The detractors, who will try to tarnish or take your dream. (For example: “It is way too hot that time of year.” “You really should not go alone.”) 2.The attachers, who will try to make your dream theirs. I had one distant relative offer to stay with me for 2 of…
Once you have determined if you will be in the city or rural, and how close to usual tourism, you will know how much language training you will need. I highly recommend finding an immersion day for travelers before you arrive. You can pick up tips from your fellow travelers (I learned it was a wise investment to buy a compass for traveling in the countryside!). You may wish to supplement this with CD courses or classroom…
Anyone who is not born in Maine is known as “from away.” No matter how many years you live in Maine, you will always be from away. From away is relative–some folks are more from away than others, but if you are not Maine-born, you are forever from away. I was crossing Front Street in Portland Maine with friends–one a true born and raised Mainer (who had left for Masschusetts, but she was not considered from away)…
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