Welcome to the West

Edmonton's River Valley (photo credit below)

Summer in my hometown is her claim to fame. You might fall over in your seat when I say this but it must be said- in my opinion, summer in Edmonton, Canada and in Italy are on par with each other. I love both equally but because they are so different. Edmonton is festivals and patios, sunlight until 11 at night, a golden-tinged river valley (the largest continuous green space in all of North America), and those blue skies. It's country music casual, cowboy boots and ice cream on tailgates. Summer in Italy is in some ways more pretentious. It's lingering aperitivo hour in a piazza, people watching as the European jet set break out the season's cruise collections, zipping around on motorcycles and Vespas, and finding yourself seaside or vineyard bound on the weekends. It's soundtrack is a mix of Italian and American summer songs set on repeat or remixed endlessly, the catchy choruses echoing from the innards of every outdoor club for miles.

I'm taking the time to enjoy every minute here in the far West. It's such an honor and blessing to be able to call both the New and Old Worlds home. I'm currently sipping a 2013 Toscana Rosso at home with the windows opened to the inky, cool black night. Even if I were blindfolded, I'd know in an instant where I am- I know the difference between Italy's midnight air and Canada's. What a thing to say...eh?!


Photo credit: Russell Mann (Insta: rmann1 and Flickr: Rmann88)