When I decided to buy a house in Europe ten years ago, I didn't think too long. I liked traveling in France, but when it came to picking my favorite spot to 1 , Italy was the clear winner.
During my first visit to Italy, I 2 to ask for directions or order in a restaurant. But every time I tried to 3 a sentence of Italian together, the locals smiled at me and 4 my language skills. That encouragement helped me to get through the language 5 . After I made Italy my permanent home, I discovered how 6 Italians are. Neighbors will bring me freshly made cheese and will come to my door to 7 me to close the window in my car when rain is coming. It's these small 8 of kindness that make a new country feel like home.
As a foodie, the way to my heart is through my stomach, and nowhere fuels my 9 quite like Italy. Each town has its own traditional 10 , and every family keeps a recipe passed from one generation to another. Families 11 for big meals on Sundays, birthdays, and whatever other excuses they can 12 . These meals are always 13 by laughter and joy. Whatever 14 life in Italy might have, the problems are 15 once you sit down to a big meal with friends and family.
