This week I get to chat with none other than the mind behind the hilarious blog that is http://survivinginitaly.com/. Misty and I share a lot in common and not just our respective day jobs, she too enjoys a glass or four of prosecco, is obsessed with dogs and has a realistic approach to what life is really like in Italy. Her posts make me crack up, namely because I really appreciate people who are blunt but with a smile. She has somehow perfected this concept without seeming like a total a-hole. So without further ado, lets pour a stiff drink (preferably a vodka one if we want to share the same drink as our interviewee) and get to know another blogger that I adore!

Vital Details

Name: M. Elizabeth

Nationality: American

Profession: Writer/Social Media Strategist

Favorite drink: Vodka Pompelmo or a Greyhound I guess

How long have you lived in Florence and where are you from originally.
I grew up in Utah as, I assume, the only non-mormon in my city. I’ve always been obsessed with Europe. I’d visited multiple times and then I finally moved to Florence in 2009.

The only non-Mormon, so that’s why you aren’t blond? What brought you to bella Firenze and why did you decide to stay

I moved to Florence for a graduate program in art. I stayed because I fell madly in love with an Italian guy after I caught glimpse of his chest hair in the wind.

Can I just say that I actually appreciate a little chest hair? That’s why I’m made for Europe ;-). What are you up to in Florence? Work, daily life, passions?
I sit at home by myself with coffee, wine, and my laptop writing copy and checking social media site impressions. Ah, living la vida loca. After my husband gets home we walk our poodle and then we often go have aperitivo together somewhere with friends, or maybe dinner.

What annoys you about Florence? Tell me the truth!

-Dog shit, everywhere. Seriously, pick up your dog crap assholes!
-Racism at football games. It just makes me crazy and I want to stalk and punch people.
-That “everything is really hard” when you ask a question about anything. “How is uni?” Difficile. “How is work?” Difficile. How is being a fruit vendor? Difficile. Come on guys, I come from a country of the 60 hour work week. Whatever it is that you’re doing, it isn’t that hard. Really.

Complaining is a national past-time ;-). Do you think life in Italy is for everyone? Why does it work for you?
Absolutely not. Italy is a good place for people who are artistic, writers, or other groups that can be self-employed. There is no money in Italy so the only way you can survive is if you can somehow work for yourself. It’s perfect for older people who want to retire, for younger self-employed types, or for students for a fun year of learning and experimenting. It’s also not a good place for people without self confidence. The long stares, the close proximity, and the yelling can really freak people out who are already self-conscious.

100% agree with everything above, What advice would you give a newbie?
Learn Italian. Watch how other people act around you. Be patient, be polite, realize that you live in a country other than your own. Be proud of your differences (they won’t go away so trying to be Italian will just make you look silly). Be weary of guys (truly, if you’re American it’s possible they think of you as a temporary funbox. So, be aware of that).
A temporary funbox! That just made my day.. Three finds/places everyone should know about in Florence?
-Santo Spirito at night
-Giugello Ristorante in the Campo area.
-La Fortezza at night during the summer.

What’s the weirdest thing you have seen/experienced in Italy?
-I took my dog to a dog park alone one afternoon in the Statuto area. I was the only person there. I looked up to see an older man with his pants around his ankles. He was watching me play with my dog and masturbating. That’s actually the second time I’ve seen some random man’s willy in public. The first time a guy dropped his pants and started chasing me and my friends down the street. What can I say? I obviously attract freaks.

It’s happened to me before too, don’t worry (unfortunately) you are not alone. What can you do here and nowhere else?
-Good food, good wine, and relax. The lifestyle feels like living where in the US it’s entirely about capital gain. Every relationship is about some kind of “in” and the only thing that people talk about is work and status. What do you do? What kind of car do you drive? Is that a Prada bag? EW. In Italy people actually live their lives. Florence is also an incredibly romantic city. It really does help to keep your relationship alive and sexy.

Cin cin to that! How did you make friends and assimilate?
-Blogging was the best way for me to meet like-minded people. I wouldn’t say that I assimilated. I wouldn’t even say that I want to. I want to be polite and to learn about Italian culture, history, language, obviously, but I’m happy to be who I am and there are a lot of good qualities from being born in the US to an immigrant household. Plus, there is only so much assimilating that can happen when you’re the kind of person who names her hands so she can snake-bite her partner and then blame it on “Frank” or “Fiona.”

An honest answer I can appreciate, Favorite food {or recipe}.
-I’m not a foodie. I know, I’m a freak. I honestly don’t have a favorite food. I love antipasti and snacking. I love pistachio gelato. A glass of wine and a huge table of antipasti is heaven for me. My husband is a really great cook so I like his food a lot.

Fair enough but hey, good choice on that gelato! If you had to make up a tagline for the city – what would it be? 😉 be creative!

The city of romance and doody cobblestone.

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