As my blog turns 1, I would like to take an opportunity to highlight some of the questions that several people ask me. But first things first! I want to THANK YOU all who have diligently read my posts and appreciated my love for Italy- its places, people, food and culture. I couldn’t have been here without your support and encouragement.
Since my blog mostly concerns about all things Italian, many a times I get curious stares and people ask me (and certainly not in the best of ways at times), ” Why Italy, why not any other country?” “What is so special about Italy?” “Are you obsessed?” “Oh, Italy? again??!!”
I usually take such questions with a pinch of salt and either grin or just pass a smile and say “I have a special connection with that country” Which of course is true!! To know more about me read here.
Happy Birthday! But Why Italy??
My Story:
I fell in love with Italy when I traveled for the first time in 2013. Yes I know, it could have been any other city or country, and I may feel about another place again but maybe not in the same way. What I share with Italy is something indescribable and beautiful, which also makes it so difficult to explain! When I’m in Italy, I feel I’ve walked those streets in some past life of mine. Who knows, maybe I have!
My love for Italy has helped me learn new things, see different aspects of life, know more about literature, the culture, food and even the language! The best part is that I am regularly connected to that love through my acquaintances and friends in Italy and America.
However, this doesn’t mean I don’t love my country! India is home. It is where I have been born and where family is. There is nothing that can change that. BUT…Italy is my calling!!
It is my go to place to think about when I am low. It brings a smile on my face when I think of my travels in Italy, of all the people I’ve met. When someone connects my name with Italy, I feel proud. All I can say is that I think the Italian way of living has me smitten and like many of you, I too think that Italy is very special!
Italy and I have a lifelong connection and I hope you’ll enjoy the journey with me. I love that you support me for my Italian passion so I hope to bring new Italian things and perspective with this blog.
Further Reading:
- Amalfi Must Do: Pasticceria Sal De Riso
- How to visit the Amalfi Coast from Salerno
- Arrivederci Montalbano- thoughts on Riccardino
- Basilica di Superga with the moon- una meraviglia
- The view from Vomero Hill, Naples
29 Comments
Caroline
August 26, 2017 at 8:06 amI know that feeling! That pull towards Italy and its charms, its people and customs, its sights and its sounds, its food and…who am I kidding: Italy is everything!
Ishita
August 26, 2017 at 8:54 amSo true Caroline. Those who don’t venture there, miss something so big!
gregsitaly
June 26, 2017 at 7:14 pmWe share the same feeling for Italy and all things Italian. In our visits, I have found the people so wonderful and kind. Your blog helps me plan our next visits. This year my wife and I will make our fourteenth visit to Sicily and Italy. We will be staying for seven weeks and hope to get a real feel for lo stile di vita Italiano.
HelsinkiBudapest
April 14, 2017 at 8:25 pmFrom what I’ve seen so far, it’s the perfect place to visit for grown ups, kids, and anyone really. I dhoujd really go ASAP.
Ishita
April 14, 2017 at 8:33 pmMe too 😉 I will.
HelsinkiBudapest
April 14, 2017 at 9:53 amFinally, access! Past connection was the first thing I thought of when I read this. Had it very strongly in Venice and Milano. I just knew. Freaked our host out completely, as she doesn’t believe in that stuff. I dropped it after a while, since she was a good friend. But it got so strong, I had to ask my parents if they’d taken me there as a child. We’d been to other places in Italy, but not there. I’m learning Italian again, since I forgot most of it. But I was obsessed with the country as well. My obsessions change. A while back it was Finland. Now it’s Hungary, which doesn’t really count, because I’m half Hungarian. And I actually thought you were Italian.
Are you still in Hungary? If so, and you want to see more book shops (and some cool sites), go down Múzeum körút.
Ishita
April 14, 2017 at 1:56 pmYea a lot of people don’t understand it but it is true. I am not in Hungary 🙂 someday I will return and see the country side and visit the bookstore you told me too
HelsinkiBudapest
April 14, 2017 at 5:34 pmToo true. For me that was always normal though, the only logical explanation. Countryside is beautiful. When you come back, also consider Transylvania. Still haven’t been there, even though I might have family there. I’ve seen pictures though from friends, and it’s beautiful.
Ishita
April 14, 2017 at 7:44 pmThank you, that’s a good suggestion. I want to visit all of that line someday with my partner and family..xx
poeticlyric
August 24, 2016 at 2:03 amCiao Ishita…if you ever thought to do a workaway in the heart of Sicily…up the mountains, in one of the oldest village…please hit me up with a message on the workaway website where I created a host profile (Manuela Di Figlia)…love xxx
Ishita
August 24, 2016 at 2:51 pmCiao Manuela. That sounds wonderful. Which place is this? I’d love to. Volunteering for farming? Tell me more. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
poeticlyric
August 24, 2016 at 6:03 pmHave a look at my profile on http://www.workaway.info
https://www.workaway.info/367528488983-en.html
Ishita
August 24, 2016 at 9:06 pmthank you for sharing and also for hopping on my blog.
fromdreamtoplan
April 15, 2016 at 7:15 pmIt is so interesting and inspiring to read this! Also, as a truly italian girl it is also fascinating to see that you can understand my feeling and also, how sometimes I underestimate my own country!!
So happy to have found you and your blog! 🙂 I’ll be here ofter for sure! 🙂
https://fromdreamtoplan.wordpress.com/
Ishita
April 16, 2016 at 7:32 pmOmg wow. From an Italian that seems a BIG compliment! Grazie! Yes please don’t underestimate your country. It’s beautiful and diverse and different. Please keep coming for sure. Xo
Tara@LittleHomeKitchen
January 7, 2016 at 3:26 amI understand you! I feel exactly the same about Italy! : )
Ishita
January 7, 2016 at 7:45 amThank you 🙂
Tanja
November 13, 2015 at 1:50 amI understand you. I feel the same about England:)
Ishita
November 13, 2015 at 7:24 amcheers!! 🙂
Ishita Sood
February 10, 2015 at 3:00 pmSo lovely to hear from you Jillian! You are right, we need to trade places 😉 I could do that anyday! If I ever come to Lago Maggiore, I am sure to meet u and your lovely kids. Love your posts 🙂 Grazie for dropping by!
jillianinitaly.com
February 9, 2015 at 10:45 pmI love how much you love Italy! And here I am living in Italy and I'm in love with India! Maybe we should trade places for a while. Lovely site. Greetings from Lago Maggiore. Jillian
Ishita Sood
January 6, 2015 at 1:35 pmThank you Vinitha! 🙂 Cheers! one of the sweetest and most thoughtful comments. I hope you visit Italy soon 🙂
Ishita Sood
January 6, 2015 at 1:35 pmThank you PM! Thanks always for your encouragement 🙂
Vinitha
January 6, 2015 at 6:32 amHappy Birthday to the blog and here's to many more Italy posts. Italy has always been on my bucket list but your posts make it inch up a bit higher every single time
Priyanka Mahajan
January 5, 2015 at 5:39 pmHappy Birthday 'Italophilia'. You have come a long way.. and a long long way to go ahead.. Keep us posted on Italy and more.. 😉
Ishita Sood
January 5, 2015 at 3:22 pmThank you Sudha 🙂 YAY! Of course. Will readily and happily do so 😉
Ishita Sood
January 5, 2015 at 3:21 pmThank you Avinash 🙂 Means a lot!
Sudhagee
January 5, 2015 at 3:10 pmHappy wala budday for the blog, Italophilia. Here's wishing you more travels to Italy and more posts from you. PS: When I go to Italy, will you please, please plan my itinerary?
Avinash Gupta
January 5, 2015 at 2:53 pmHappy birthday to your blog and keep writing about Italy. 🙂