I am sure the way you live in Firenze or Siena is somewhat better than in JoeItalia's city.
BUT
Non è tutto oro quello che luccica.

__________________

Joe, Let's put it this way. Where would you rather be?
New Jersey or Florence? New Jersey or Perugia?

Met this Italian American from New Jersey that has dual citizenship and spends much more time in Italy that in New Jersey.
We met in Perugia and traveled around together to Gubbio, Assisi, Spoleto, Firenze, Roma and other places in Italy.
He would always say to me while we were looking at some incredible masterpiece or looking at some incredible view;
"Sure can't see anythig like this in New Jersey!" "Why would I want to be in New Jersey when I can be here in Italy!?"E cosi via.

I live in Chicago. I love chicago, its a beautiful city. Its just the way of life here, and in most cities in this country as explained earlier, that ruins it.

Villa, though confirming that you are perfectly right, I want to say that living in a place is really different from touring it.
It's true that Tuscany, like most of Italy, is full of masterpieces and wonderful places, but living there has its problems anyways.

Happiness is where one feels it, maybe being in a breathtaking place helps it, but it's not the only ingredient* of the recipe.

* (does this word exist?)

PS: rereading this post I feel I've been banal and smartass, don't take me so seriously, I'm only a little ignorant that gives his 2 cents.

__________________

Yes it does, and used very well in the context of the reply.

Zidanie5, Have you been to the U.S.? I'm sure you would have
no trouble with the English language.

I just thought of something. Remember when I wrote about how 40% of Italians in Italy speak
another language while only 9% of Americans speak another language. E un peccato!!!

No, I've never been to USA, though I'd like it.
I've been twice in London for a month, and I had no problems with the language (well except that time I met a Welsh Rugby fan drunk in a Camden Town pub, shouting me something about Italian rugby team )

About the "peccato", yes it's a sin, but it seems we have a good part of that 9% here on this forum.

But we're going a little OT, so let me add that those who said it's easier to learn Italian if people does not know English are only partially right.
The best way imho is if people speak a good English but you try to speak Italian with them anyways. If you have problems to express something you can ask it in English, and you'll even learn something new. After all it depends on your Italian level, so Melissa don't care much about language factor.

__________________

I think you have it wrong Villa. Only 9% of Americans speak English! It's irritating!

Joe, I know what you mean. I live in California and we have all these signs everywhere in Spanish.

Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Ventura, Pasadena,
Montebello, Pico Rivera, Camarillo, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, San Juan Capistrano, California,
La Canada, Corona, Corona Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, Marina Del Rey, Santa Monica, Lake Isabella,
Sacramento(the freaking capital of California no less!) e cosi via.
The list goes on and on.

Sure glad I speak Spanish and became a high school Spanish teacher so I can understand all those signs.

Spanish Place NamesSpanish origins of American place names. ... At the time this western California city was founded,
many wildcats roamed the area. ...
www.infoplease.com/spot/spanishnames.html - 32k - Cached - Similar pages

[quote=Villa;14172]Zidanie5, Have you been to the U.S.? I'm sure you would have
no trouble with the English language.
[quote]

Villa - anyone who can use the words "banal" and "smartass" in the same sentence has no problems with the English language! (Except that maybe "smartass" is American, not English - we would say "smart arse")