Interview with Expats in Italy Monster GTG Event Organizer, Annika of Dove mi Porta il Cuore
Posted on: Mar 19, 2010
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about expat life-what draws us here, what cements our loyalties to this new country and about the people we meet along the way. These relationships inevitably seal our fate and influence our happiness and perceptions of acceptance in this new world.
Like others, I met many an expat friend through the Expats in Italy website and if you are an expat in Italy-or would like to be-and can be in Tuscany in May, 2010, then you are in luck.
I recently Facebooked with Annika of Dove mi Porta il Cuore, well-known italophile and organizer of the 2010 Expats in Italy Monster GTG. Here’s what she had to say.
Me: The Monster GTG is being sponsored through the Expats in Italy website. Is the get together limited to members and visitors to the site or is it open to all expats in Italy?
Annika: Our GTGs are mainly directed at members of Expats in Italy, but they are open for anyone who is interested in meeting new people, regardless of their nationality.
Me: Speaking of expats in Italy, is the get together open only to current expats or can past expats and “those who dream” also attend?
Annika: If you happen to be in Italy at the time, you are welcome! We do not exclude anyone, what we have in common is our interest in Italy.
Our slogan is “for those who dream, and those who live the dream”, and among our members you can find past, current and future expats as well as leisure travelers and native Italians. I am personally one of “those who dream,” and through the expat community I have met some wonderful people and found friends for life.
Me: What are some of the major differences you are expecting between this event and the Monster Get Together that was held in 2006?
Annika: Our first Monster GTG was held on June 2, 2006. We had planned a picnic-style event, but unfortunately the weather would not allow it. It was cold and very windy and we had to make last-minute arrangements for indoors seating for more than 80 people. There were not enough seats for everyone, and somehow we had not communicated well enough what kind of meal that would be served, so some of the guests were unsatisfied with the food. The venue was also quite difficult to find, remotely located in the Tuscan hills.
This time we plan for all eventualities. Instead of a picnic-style lunch we will have a multi-course meal in a restaurant – if the weather is warm we can eat outside but we are not depending on it. The place offers accommodations, is easy to find and is only 12 km from Siena. There is a bus stop not far away, but we will also arrange pick-ups in Siena if needed as we do not want anyone not to come because they do not have a car.
One thing that was very appreciated at the 2006 GTG was the book swap table, so there will be one this time around too!
Me: If anyone is interested in more information, where can they look?
Annika: Tell them to visit the Expats in Italy website, right here.
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Unfortunately for me, Siena is a ten-hour train ride from little ‘ole Catanzaro, so I’m not sure I’ll make this monster event. I will, however, be there in spirit and I expect a full report-with all of the nitty gritty details-from those of you who go!
* This post is written on behalf of AffordableCallingCards.net. Click here to read similar posts written by other expats in the ACC expat community.
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Cherrye, I was so hoping that you’d be able to make it to the GTG. Bill and I are soooooo excited to be here in time for it, and, being in Alto Lazio, we’re not far away. Guess we’ll just have to make a trip south to see you and Peppe.
Yes, you will, Carol! I am disappointed I won’t make it, as well. Maybe next time they can plan one a little farther south!
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Wish you could come, Cherrye! Maybe I can catch you on my next trip to Calabria, I may be coming in August!
Yea! Definitely let me know when you’ll be in Calabria. We’ll have to get together and taste test some wine. I’ll let you choose!
.-= LivefromTuscany´s last blog ..The Whys of Wine – What Wine with Spicy Foods? =-.
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oh I didn’t see this until now! Thank you Cherrye – and if we, I mean, WHEN we organize the next GTG in the south I count on you to show up!
I’ll be there with bells and whistles!
.-= Annika´s last blog ..a list =-.
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Cherrye, I was so hoping that you’d be able to make it to the GTG. Bill and I are soooooo excited to be here in time for it, and, being in Alto Lazio, we’re not far away. Guess we’ll just have to make a trip south to see you and Peppe.
Yes, you will, Carol! I am disappointed I won’t make it, as well. Maybe next time they can plan one a little farther south!
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