Interview: with Girl in Florence

The very first idea to create this blog was to take a lot of good pictures of nice places and pretty people and upload it; and the second idea was to meet attractive persons, to talk about their life and how they became who they are now. And write it all down.  And then, after all, when the post is done, – read it through and get some thoughts like “What a person!” or “He/she is incredible!” or just “What a big world it is to discover..”. And..stay inspired. So now I’m marching in the second  level of my conception of a blog and represent you my first interview with one nice girl! 🙂

She is American girl living in Italy, Florence. Her name is Georgette and she is the blogger of her blog Girl in Florence.

I found her blog on wordpress.com and I’ve got very interested in it and then I wrote her to meet..

Ciao!

We’ve meet, we’ve talked and this is what I’ve got for interview 😉

Enjoy reading!

Question: Tell me a little bit about yourself – who you are, from where and what do you do in Florence.

Answer: My name is Georgette Jupe, I am originally from Mexican food capital of the world, San Antonio – Texas and now I happen to call Florence, Italy my home which is great! I work as a social media & community manager for Italy magazine & several other businesses. But what I really ‘do’ is experience life in Italy – every moment, every meeting is special to me 🙂

Q: How did you come in Italy and why did you choose Florence as a city to live?

A. I originally came to Florence as a university student in 2005, original I know! I decided that after my year of study abroad was over, there was just something about Florence. I couldn’t pin point it but I think it has to do with the fact that I never originally planned to come here, I wanted to study abroad in London. Firenze exceeded my expectations and I grew to love my simple lifestyle and people I met. Of course I should say that love was a bit of a factor when I decided to come back in 2007, though we are no longer together and I am now dating a non-Italian, I have always remained in love with this city as my home. Why? Partly because of it’s convenient location to travel around Italy and Europe, and the fact that it’s so small and easy to get around without a car. Also there are just so many things to do here – it surprises me every day!

Q. Your blog “Girl in Florence” is about an American girl who came to live in one of the most beautiful Italy’s city – Florence. How did you start writing your blog?

A. Well, I started a few blogs before Girl in Florence but I could never be inspired to write consistently, I think like many other people who start blogs. Then one day I just decided to really make a proper effort and pick a theme, at the time sharing cool events and news about the town, which often hadn’t been translated yet. I chose the name ‘Girl in Florence’ which might seem generic to many because that’s just how I felt, like another ‘girl living Florence’, not special or unique but just a normal person living and working in the city. Since starting the blog I have now transitioned to writing a lot about food and travel and it remains my favorite hobby in the world, sharing life in Florence with anyone who feels like reading it J. The blog has changed my life, I now work in the career I dreamed about and have met so many interesting people all over the world, its honestly astounding to me!

Q. What differences do you find between Americans and Italians?

A. A provocative question for sure ;-). If I am honest I would that there are less differences than you might think. People are people at the end of the day but yes culture does play a role in how society behaves. I know that living in Florence, which is full of American students; Italians often see the more decadent side to our behavior which can be a shame. I think Americans are a bit programmed to live life a certain way, go a little crazy in college, travel a bit, and then enter the work force with gusto. Here it doesn’t really work like that for a variety of reasons. Italians focus a lot less on ‘what it is you do for work’ and more on enjoying life (at least the ones I know) and maybe this is a bit forced because work is always what you would hope for in Italy. Italians love a nice lifestyle, meeting with friends, going out for dinner or drinks, trips in the summer –instead of just talking about wanting one which I have seen often in the USA.

Q. What do you like the most in Italy and what do you like the least?

A. I think what I like most about Italy is its diverse, beautiful natural landscape. This place is a visual candyland that I never want to stop exploring. I also really love the lifestyle, sitting back and really enjoying life when you can. Also things like lingering over a long meal, sharing a bottle of wine at lunch, hopping on a train and being in a totally different area of Italy in just a few hours. The food is another essay and a half, you really can eat wonderful, fresh food very affordably here.

As for what I like the least would probably be the old attitudes and ‘menefreghismo’ or ‘uncaring or couldn’t-care-less’ attitude. That could be about the maintaining of public areas, the welfare of society, or even just your neighbor. There are little opportunities for young people who graduate, often they are stuck in internships or very low paying jobs and end up having to move cities or even countries to get a real shot at a decent career. A lot of ‘talking’ seems to go on but a lot less action than we hope, and need. It seems very ‘stuck’ in Italy when it comes to real personal growth though I do see a lot of positive changes in Florence these past few years, lots of new places are opening which means people are taking more risks to start businesses and give entrepreneurism a chance.

Q.  Can you share the funniest thing that has happened here to you?

A. It feels like weird things follow me around the world. I have been ‘flashed’ by a man in Piazzale Michelangelo as a student studying abroad here in Florence and again at a bus stop. It was a pretty sad sight really. I have seen all sorts of characters around Florence, ones that dress like Dante and cite old quotes, one dressed in all blue, even his bike and a ‘famous’ guy loitering around piazza annunciata that tries to sell herbs as marijuana to young people.. Florence is full of random moments.

Q.  Which habits did you gain while living here?

A. So so many, but really! For example, I used to just casually eat on the couch and even in my room when I was in America which I wouldn’t really do now after living in Italy. Eating is done at the table and the table only which is something I can accept. I wouldn’t wear flip flops in the city center, mostly because it’s pretty dirty and dusty. I often drink espresso after meals and go for an after-lunch or dinner ‘passeggiata’ or walk to help speed digestion 😉

Q.  How do like to spend your free time?

A. I really love traveling and exploring new places. I just got a new camera and all I think about is the places that my boyfriend and I will visit so I can take snapshots of our trip. I really enjoy food from all over the world which only makes traveling even more awesome. I think that the more you travel, the more you open your mind and you see what’s important in life and what’s not. I also really like to read and spend lazy days outside pouring over a good book. Also time spent with friends is really valuable to me as I don’t have my family nearby; they are all in Texas or close to Texas. We have a lot of fun eating and drinking at new places and supporting one another 🙂

Q.  What would you wish for people who are coming to visit Italy?

A. I would say that I hope they spent more time in less places when in Italy. It’s hard to get to know a country when you hit places like checking them off a bucket list. Instead spending a week or more in one city, getting to know some local people, even just at the coffee bar makes for such a different experience! I also hope that they explore more off the beaten path areas like the La Marche region of Italy or Maremma in Tuscany, there is so much to see and often it is a lot cheaper than other areas of Tuscany.

Isn’t she nice? I’ve enjoyed the time spent in Florence with her and seeing again the treasures of Florence such as Duomo or Ponte Vecchio.  A big thank for Georgette for a nice passeggiata and warm talk!  Hope to see you soon! 😉

P. S. Let me know what do you think about this interview – did you like it? Would you like to read more interviews? Let it comment! 🙂

Emilija