NB: I did not interview Malena for this feature, the answers come from what you, as a reader, would be able to divulge from her book. I thought it would be a fun twist on the prompt for this month's Dolce Vita Bloggers linkup which was "your favorite Italian book or book about Italy". For more information about the linkup, click the LINKUP option in the Top Menu. To add your own link, scroll down to the bottom and click the blue button and follow the instructions.
Where are you from and where is your significant other from?
I am from Saint Louis, Missouri and Fernando is from Venice, Italy.
Where and when did you meet your significant other?
We met in November 1993 in Venice. He called me multiple times at a Vino Vino, despite always being there in person, he could never work up the nerve to approach me face-to-face. Instead, he would leave the restaurant and call and ask to talk to me. He would ask me in very studied English something along the lines of " Is it possible for you to meet me tomorrow, alone?". I would always respond no but on my last morning in Venice, I finally decide to meet him and it was magic. I found out that he had seen me in Venice last December in Piazza San Marco when he described to perfection my long white winter coat.
Fernando did of course, with all the persistence of a typical Italian! He absolutely wouldn't take no for an answer and luckily that was the case otherwise we wouldn't be where we are today.
Where did you think he was originally from?
I knew he was Italian due to his extremely formal and almost school-like English he used on the phone with me.
What was your first impression of him?
That he looked like Peter Sellers! I really noticed the blue of his eyes and how he is all at once, both shy and familiar to me.
Dish on the first kiss!
Five hours have passed since I left the hotel. I call my friends who are still waiting there, and I vow to meet them and my baggage directly at the airport. The last flight to Naples is at seven-twenty. The Grand Canal is improbably empty, free of the usual tangle of skiffs and gondolas and sandoli, permitting the tassista to race his water taxi, lurching it, slamming it down brutally onto the water. Peter Sellers and I stand outside in the wind and ride into a lowering, dark red sun. I pull a silver flask from my purse and a tiny, thin glass from a velvet pouch. I pour out cognac and we sip together. Again, he looks as if he's going to kiss me, and this time he does- temples, eyelids, before he finds my mouth. We're not too old.
(excerpt from Chapter One of A Thousand Days in Venice)
Where do you live now?
We live in Orvieto, Italy.
Have you learned each other's languages?
Yes we have, although we tend to speak in Italian when we're together.
Any advice for mixed/long-distance couples?
Close the distance as quickly as you can, if you hearts are in it, you will find a way to overcome all the difficulties. There will be doubts and doubters. I left my children behind in America and it was one of most heart-wrenching of decisions. "I knew the difference between going off to university, knowing that home is few hundred miles away, and having one's mother dissolve that home to go and live in Europe. Now home would be six thousand miles away, not accessible on long weekends.".
For more information about Marlena de Blasi and to check out her numerous books about Italy, check out her Amazon author page.
We are looking forward to another year of this wonderful community. Our goal is to connect over our shared love of Italy. Thank you all who have participated before, and those who join in the future!
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below!
Past #DolceVitaBlogger Link-Ups:
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup – #11 October 2018 – Hilarious Travel Mishaps
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup – #10 September 2018 – Favourite Italian Recipe
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup - #9 August 2018 - Culture Shock
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup - #8 July 2018 - La Dolce Vita
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup - #7 June 2018 - Hidden Gems in Italy
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup - #6 May 2018 - Five Italian Words
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup - #5 April 2018 - The Perfect Day in Italy
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup - #4 March 2018 - International Women's Day
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup - #3 February 2018 - A Love Letter to Italy
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup - #2 January 2018 - Favourite Italian City
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup - #1 December 2017 - 'The Italian Connection
There are so many amazing stories to read so make sure you're all caught up. And should you want to share your own story or know of a couple who would, please get in touch. The majority of these stories have been brought to me through word-of-mouth, so let's keep spreading the love.
Here are our past Love Stories in no particular order:
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Sherry and Andre
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Faith and Valerio
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Bianca and Luca
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Paula and Pontus
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Alicha and Dennis
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Arachi and Ciro
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Genia and Mattia
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Amanda and Michelangelo
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Carmela and Paolo
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Evelyn and Fabio
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Margarita and Andrea
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Viki and Que
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Athena and André
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Rosa and Rocco
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Hayley and Mike
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Philippa and Nick
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Camie and Marco
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Alannah and Eros
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Cheyenne and Giulio
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Jade and Daniele
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Chloe and Andrea
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Coral and Riccardo
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Rachel and Riccardo
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Daria and Francesco
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Briana and Dami
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Kayla and Luca
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Sarah and Michele
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Bailey and Carlo
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Gregory and Stefania
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Sofie and Emilio
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Isabel and David
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Jasmine and Massi
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Tiffany and Adam
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Angela and Davide
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Kristie and Graziano
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Brittni and Alberto
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Maddie and Gio
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Jennie and Davide
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Lauren and Luigi
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Rebecca and Leonardo
LOVE STORIES by Questa Dolce Vita: Jennifer and James