18th October 2025
Globalization?
A definition: the process by which particular goods and services, or social and cultural influences, gradually become similar in all parts of the world.
Our friends here in Italy say there have been many gradual changes since they arrived 16 years ago, and it is certainly surprising to see the presence of various non-Italian goods in the stores, hear the sound of international music being played in the bars and encounter people of varied ethnicities all speaking rapid Italian!
The truth is, it's really not globalization that unites us, but our shared humanity. The kindness and generosity of people we have met here, their stories, struggles and achievements are no different to our own. Each of us is learning to be loved unconditionally by our Father, and in receiving that affection we find ourselves able to genuinely love one another. That's the same in Francavilla as everywhere else, and it's just beautiful.
For those who like postal addresses (or might just turn up on our doorstep) we are here: Piazzale Serena 8, int. 4, Francavilla al Mare, Chieti 66023, Italy or you could check us out at https://maps.app.goo.gl/AgGR1bkV8nNEpTeX9 Choose the street view from June 2025, weirdly, it always opens to an old shot of the piazza as a building site) and if you're very clever and can find No. 8 (next to the double glass doors with a 'Notaio' sign to the right) our balconies are directly above those doors and to the right.
As you can see, we have two cafe/restaurants downstairs where life is still in full swing until at least midnight, and what's a night out without music at full volume?! Somehow it doesn't bother us at all, it's just lovely to hear people enjoying themselves, and we may actually be starting to embrace the 'riposo' (like the siesta, a midday break when businesses close and life slows down for an hour or two)
A quick tour of our new home:
High ceilings (a legal requirement here)
Lots of generously gifted furniture
Brilliant kitchen draining rack over the sink - standard in Italian kitchens
Joe's ingenious office for us, in an unused bunk,
and a massive smart TV. It's smarter than us, but we're catching up, and Italian game shows are a great way to learn vocabulary!
Rain on the Piazza Sirena and falling leaves signal a new season...
We're both doing our best to extend our Italian. Sue has had her first conversation lesson, and it was really encouraging to manage without English 90% of the time, even when her teacher's very direct question was "Do you believe in God?" And Joe is now on first name terms with various shop owners around town, especially the Do-It-Yourself store (the Fa da Te). He explains that he's Australian and wants to learn Italian, if they could just speak slowly, please?! Still looking for a teacher for him.
Also gradually understanding the transport system and which supermarkets suit us best. Joe's quite fond of one called Deco, as he can bike there on our newly-loaned pushbike and it's almost a flat ride along the seafront!
Next week we're going to Northern Italy and Switzerland to catch up with friends, and probably take way too many photos...and we would so love to hear your news too!