Our Stuff Shows Up and We Got Skunked. Our Lives as Sicilian Expats #17
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 เม.ย. 2024
- Join us on our Sicilian Farmhouse adventure!
This week we take a tour of our house, get skunked and go to an amazing ricotta festival in Vizzini.
We're Elizabeth and Brian, a retired American couple from Oregon who quit working in our fifties to pursue our dream of living abroad. So far? Although there have been some bumps along the way, it has been a dream come true. Follow along as we fix up our abandoned old Sicilian farmhouse, discover our surroundings and learn about Sicilian wine and cuisine. Andiamo!
View all of our Sicily Farm House videos:
studio.th-cam.com/users/playlistP...
For regular updates, and what Beth likes to call "pretty stuff" you can follow us on Instagram:
/ beeseurotravel
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It’s really refreshing to see ex-pats with a fixer-upper who are not in a great rush to make everything perfect. I find your approach much more realistic. Enjoy each day! Everything will get fixed eventually. 13:08
Thanks 😊 A little chaos is good for the soul.
It's great that you show the inside of the house. "So small? But where do you have your Christmas dishes?" We accumulate so much stuff. You have everything to live your best life!
Yes 😎
Great Robin Leach impression!😂
You made my night. I thought about this for days and just couldn’t help myself. Thank you ! 😍
@@beeseurotravellove it!
Very sweet house, no doubt you’ll make it your own. Life is about relationships and so nice to see you developing them. We lived in Seattle many, many years and made hardly any friends in the 25 years there. Now in Ireland 3 years and our dance card is so full . Enjoy yourselves 😍
We are originally from NH and the west coast was tough for us, too. I am so happy that you found your happy place in Ireland 🇮🇪😍
Hi, I'm over 60 and from New Zealand. Thanks for giving me some 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous' giggles 😆 I loved the walkthrough of your house. Even though you say it is 'nothing special' right now, I can see why you bought it. There is so much potential there and it's going to be gorgeous when you've finished making it into your home. I will be looking forward to seeing the transformation as it progresses.
😝 And thanks for watching 😊
Wow - so cool what you have done and how lovely the property and scenery is! Hubby and I are spending 3 weeks in Calabria this fall and we hope to make a side-trip to Sicily. Your videos make us excited to check Sicily out. Hubby’s family is from Puglia originally. We love Italy!
That’s awesome. Good for you 😊 Italy is great! Especially the south…
Hello from Georgia, USA. First of all, I love how you guys begin with outdoor table talk and then move to moments in town or with families-so, culture moments...and then onto what you guys are up to. Very organized. And The Humor moment-priceless.
Ha! Thank you, but I’m sure there was a lot of eye rolling in living rooms across the US 🤣 Thanks for watching 😊
Great video, love watching your progress on the property.
Thank you 😊
Safe travels!!
Looking forward to more videos!
🌺🌺🌺
Thanks 😊
Love your videos! Your home is coming together.
Piano, piano as they like to say here. Yes!
You guys are great! Love it
You’re nice. Thanks 😊
Thank you for sharing 😊
Thanks for watching! 😊
Hey Brian, hi Beth, thanks a lot a for your video and sharing your adventures, best regards from Charlotte 🙌....our trip o Sicily starts in 3 weeks and we are super excited, we hardly can wait to see the beauty of the island and to get the first impression, experiences and whether we could retire there later! We wish you a successful trip to France and save travels for Beth, too ...all the best to you guys 👏☀🤩
Thanks 😊 Hope we get a chance to meet up.
I love to watch your videos. Is like getting a video on my phone from my old friends in Italy. Thanks for sharing.
Awww. Thanks. And thanks for watching 😊
You guys are so fun! Loved the intro nod to the “Rich and Famous”!
😆 Thanks. It was fun
Look forward to your videos. Clever way to show the house. Thanxs for sharing, It does look like you are living the life.
Thanks 😊 Life is great here. Not perfect! But great. Soon I think we will do a video on the negative things about living here so people don’t think we’re infected by Pollyanna-ism 😉
Just found your channel-love it! Keep going you guys really are a fun pair. Such a relief to see.
Thanks! 😊 Just hoping to live our best lives and maybe inspire some others to do the same. The first step is the hardest then the rest is a breeze. Well, mostly 😉
Another great video you two!
Enjoy the family visit Beth. Have fun in France Brian. It was nice "meeting" you both!
Keep up the great work. 🥳
Thank you 😊 And thanks for watching!
Ciao guys loved this video! and am so jealous of your French cooker it’s a beaut 😍. Catch you guys soon , Massi and Maria xx
We’re here all week!
The house definitely is looking livable! Good cleanup! 😊👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you! 😊
So fun!! Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it! 😊
It's what I call "camping at home"! Wish you both safe journeys.
Thank you 😊
Thanks for the update-really enjoy the flow of your videos. It seems like there are festivals every month. Are the people pretty accepting that you’re filming them? How do you handle that?
Safe travels. Enjoy that grand baby, Beth!
Thanks. And there are endless festivals! We have had no problems filming here. In fact, many people ham it up!
You’re living the dream!! I actually still have my family home in Castellamare del golfo. Haven’t been there since my mother past.. I’m retired now but I’m at the point that health issues Make me a little nervous about spending time there. But you guys give me hope! Your place is awesome. It’s an adventure!! Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching 😊 I hope you’re able to get back soon!
I absolutely love you 2 and your passion for life. So many of us cruise through life on autopilot. Never really taking the wheel of our own lives. Content to let the systems force us into little boxes.......NOT YOU GUYS😊
It really does eemind me of that song called Little Boxes, but watching your videos allows so many of us to dream big, throw caution to the wind, and for a brief moment, live our lives in Sicily.....Bravo
Why not?! My Dad died really young and was always focused on retirement. It had a big impact on me and I decided at a young age I wouldn’t do that. Here we are!
Hi! From Woodland WA
Im really enjoying your channel. I like that you are both so down to earth, personable, funny...and that you are enjoying new friends and your community whilst beautifying your new property! I just turned 60 and planning my first European adventure next April to Italy! Mainly the Abruzzo region but hoping to spend time in Sicily as well ❤ Thank you for your entertaining content 😊
Awesome! Thank you! 😊 We used to have a cabin outside of Cougar. Do you know Northwoods? It was our first toe dip into “crazy.” 🤣 You’ll enjoy Italy - just go off the beaten track. It can be a little touristic.
Great intro!!!!
Thanks. It got stuck in my head all week and it was just something fun to do 😊
Hi! Looks like the bee’s are keeping busy at home. I’m a big fan. To me, ‘baseball hot dogs and apple pie’ just doesn’t feel the way it did when I was a kid. Life in the U.S. - It’s much more of a real rat race these days. I love how welcoming and inviting the people and places of Italy seem to be, and how rich with life the bee’s are as you continue plant and water love and friendship there. My Italian heritage originated in Sicily. If I’m ever able to visit, it’d be nice to say hi. Take care.
Thanks 😊 And I agree with you 💯 America has changed too much, too quickly and the result is almost unrecognisable. Funny, here, everyone wants to live in America. Grass is always greener… but for sure, after 50+ years in the US this is a great place to enjoy just being alive.
@@beeseurotravel
Oh, yeah, I get it - “bee-ing” alive. Of course!
Funny seeing Brian’s Ron Jon sweatshirt….since I live just down the beach from Cocoa Beach in Satellite Beach! 😊 👏🏼
Nice! Our son lives just a few minutes in the opposite direction 😎
This was so much fun. New subscriber here. Northern California.
Thanks. That’s the idea 😊
Hi, enjoy your channel and relaxed approach on video! Im from Italy but been living in Cape Town for the past 20 years. Love Sicily and my wife and I are thinking to also move there in the near future. Interesting that you met an Italian South African couple in that part of the world!
Yes! Glad you like our videos 😊
Think I have seen that abandoned tuna cannery on at couple of episodes of Inspector Montalbano . A great tv series .
We love your vids. 5-6 years under 50 here, don’t sell yourself short man.
Love the vid comedy cuts. US expats in Sweden. Watching for sunshine, lovely neighbors, land/home reno, and what’s like buying a home in Italy.
Your home is perfect size. The land ❤
If you don’t want to show the inside of ur home - don’t. Only if you want to.
Thank you for making these vids.
😂 It’s true though (actually 89.6% over 45). We’re having fun. Hope you are, too, in Sweden. What’s life like there? I’ve read a lot. In many ways it seems idyllic, but it’s hard to make friends?
@@beeseurotravel interesting it’s majority 50+
Living in Sweden is great. The best summer weather. It’s true, we mainly have our US expat friends who are married to Swedes. Our neighbors (all Swedish) are friendly. We talk over the fence, a rando bbq, or come check out a project chat.
We researched one downer about Italy is the lack of electric stations to power vehicles. We have an all EV so it’s kind of a bummer to think Italy is lacking this infrastructure.
Sweden winters are hell with the darkness. This year was horrible, even Swedish neighbors said it was a bad year.
We would love to be back to no snow even tho we lived in CO. But we are both from sunny CA. We need sunshine and amazing neighbors and land to garden and relax.
Hope all is going well. Looking forward to learn more about the projects.
You are lucky to be friends with a prince . Your program encourages me to smile , thank you for that . 😊
🤣 And good!! Thanks for watching 😊
I'm freaking obsessed with Italy. Never been there but it is on my bucket list.
You’ll love it 😍
Love the "Intro"!!!!
🤣 Thanks
I’m in your 10% age groups 😂 33 years old and absolutely loved watching your videos!
🤣 I got it a little wrong, but nearly 90% of the people who watch our videos are over 45! Thanks for watching 😊
I love it, leave the kitchen walls as they are, how many years, mistakes, thrown items, remodels did it take to get that look, you guys are so chill good stuff, PEACE!!!
🤣 Thanks
This is hilarious. I was just in RonJon last week.
LOL. Our son lives close by. Awesome store! And the prices weren’t awful either.
Its almost like Mexico…. Really real… and a lot of work in front of you. you’re both ready & willing to do a long-term project…
Nice! I don’t know a whole lot about Mexico, but it sounds good to me 😉 Thanks for watching 😊
I'm in Sicily too (Palermo side), we have solar panels and it works really well, we sell back to ENEL any extra electricity we generate so our bills stay very low. We also have a wood burner and buying wood off someone local is much cheaper than pellet. Hope that helps!
Perfect. And we have lots of wood on our property. I agree with you 😎 Thanks for the info!
I really like your Tiny Home. They have become so popular with down-sizers these days. As long as there is a veranda or terrace to sit out, that's all one needs to be really happy. Some of the innovations being used in tiny homes are mind boggling, so I expect by the time you guys finish getting it the way you like it, it will be a perfect home for 2.
I agree 💯
The house is absolutely perfect!! It might be a big project, but I had considered shutting the back door (in the bedroom) off and placed a big closet/wardrobe along that entire wall. Then I had opened up and put in beautiful double doors in the livingroom instead of the window in the back. Then you don't have to go through the bedroom to get out to the garden.
You are 500% correct. The only difference is we will go out that back window and add a bedroom/bath/sitting room and it will be all windows. Bravo 👏
Well, that's even better.😂
the most beautiful couplle ... love a happy wife .... god bless
You’re sweet. Thank you 😊
38 years old and loving the channel! 😉 Xo
Keep breaking the mold, REBEL! 🤣 Thanks for watching 😊
I’m really enjoying your channel. What you’re doing takes courage, and shows your capacity to risk everything for true authenticity. How many do that? The simple life is not necessarily the easy life - but something about building from the ground up enriches the soul like nothing else; each decision and act of creation reflects nothing less than foundational values and unfiltered esthetic. This is you, naked, unabashed, embracing, celebratory. Would we all give ourselves the freedom and grace to follow our own path like you have yours. Your joy shines and inspires. I’m in awe, as I sit in my white Pottery Barn twirly chair, clinging safely to routine and predictability, bored to death, but afraid to risk as you have. Though I thirst for more, I settle to live vicariously through your videos. Shame on me. Bravo for you two. May you continue to experience and appreciate your one beautiful life.
You really nailed it with this commentary, my 🧡 friend!
It’s never, ever too late to try something new 😊 I have failed many times in my life… and then something beautiful like this happens! Don’t retreat!
Nice to hear that you’re getting accustomed to Sicilian life, but o yeah, the house definitely needs some TLC, but once it’s done it will be an adorable villa…Ciao
I hope so 😍 Thanks for the kind words.
What is it you prefer about Italy over France... Im really curious as to the things you prefer over the things you disliked about France.
Im going to do a video. Probably 2 weeks. Stay tuned. It’s kind of a painful subject for me, honestly, but I want to get it out there.
Bravi tutto molto bello. Complimenti
Grazie mille 😎
Love to watch your journey. Hopefully, we will be following your path in the next few years. Question: What app did Nicki (sp?) use to identify plants on your property? Keep posting content! :)
Thanks and best of luck to you. Taking the first step is the hardest part 😊 PlantNet is the app
I was wondering where Robin Leach was! I bet he loves Italy😁
🤣🤣 He is down here selling used Fiats in Catania. He did this for 50€ for me.
that's a reverse far west novel greating from Rome thanks for the info i Don't know Noto jet
It’s great to see other folks who walked out of America, and shut the door behind them. The world is so much bigger and more interesting than you might have believed!
Husband and I sold everything we owned in 2015, left NYC behind - and moved into a derelict stone schoolhouse in northwestern ireland (we bought it online without setting foot inside)
Our lives are so much richer,so endlessly challenging, completely fascinating - and we have become different people. We left our NY skins on the floor at JFK - and never looked back.
Wonderful to see you both so happy - and your little house is the perfect size for our times. Nobody needs six bedrooms - and get a wood burning stove - the pellet thing is bullshit. It gets cold and dark here - a fire with any old wood and a little coal thrown in for the heat? Heaven on earth.
Keep laughing.
Nice to meet you 😎 You’re right about the pellet stove and even more right about life abroad. All of our senses have been reawakened and, like you, we love it. When we travel around Europe now people have no clue that we’re American. 90% of the time they guess Belgian. Sometime Dutch. I’m totally cool with that.
@@beeseurotravel - Ha! It must be nice to be mistaken for something other than a pair of Americans. The moment we open our mouths, it’s all over. “Where are ye from?” Is next. Followed by “My uncle has a pub in Yonkers. Have you been there?”
Or
“I went to New York once. Went shopping at Macy’s - it was grand.”
There is a deep-seated, unshakeable belief here - that all Americans are rich. And slightly stupid.
We are broke - but they remain determined. As for “stupid”?
The jury is still out…..
For the record, I am an American and 31 years old. Happy to be part of an elite demographic 😂 You always inspire! I plan on retiring from the military to Italy in 7 years!
🤣🤣 Good luck to you!
Thanks for all the great sharing. How lovely that it's easy to meet people. I'm considering retiring part-time in Sicily. Do you think it's harder for a single woman to make a life there? I've heard (don't know if it's true) that people don't want to include single gals worrying that their husbands will stray. Hard to imaging that mindset, but I've heard some stories about unwelcome advances from Italian men, if you are an unmarried woman. Thoughts?
Well… (this is Brian) gender roles still seem to be very traditional here. It’s a little surprising coming from the US. You should see the looks Beth gets from people when they see us out working together 😂😂 So in the countryside? It could be more challenging. In a city? Probably not as big of a deal. Just my two cents. I could be all wet.
I haven't watched all your videos so I'm curious as to what your life in France was like. For example, did you live in a city, village or in the country side like you do in Sicily? Also curious why you decided to move from France to Sicily (not meant to be nosy, just general ask). My family is from Palermo and I adore it there! Not just Palermo but the island as a whole, so it's easy to see why others love it too!
I’m going to do a video in a couple of weeks about just this 😊
Great videos, love your enthusiasm. Do you plan to get italian citizenship or just part time in italy and the rest in USA?
We are going for an Elective Residency visa that will let us live here 😎
Curious about your Boston ball cap.
What do you want to know ? 😉
@@beeseurotravel I am from New England..with kids in MA ME and RI
Finallllyyy... thanks for showing us the floor plan of the house, the set up is not bad at all, could have been worse with a warren of tiny little rooms! Now we can see where you're coming from. So, are you planning to expand a bit or stay quite small? I went from 200 sq mts to 130 and am as happy as a clam... I mean who wants to clean a ton of house anymore? Not me, I'd rather be in the garden! 😉😇
We’re going to add an en-suite bedroom off of the back and turn the current one into an office. We don’t need anything more than that 😊 Here you live outside except for a few weeks in the summer.
@@beeseurotravel Bingo... same here in Mexico except for a month in the really hot dry season and a few weeks in the rainy season (it usually rains at night other than a few days here and there)... I'm always outside. My problem is not having enough garden stuff and tool storage... it's always a bit of a problem when you don't have a handy garage to store things in. 🫤
Just wondering if you are there full time or part-time?..is your husband of italian descent??..and if you have an Italian visa?
This is Brian. Nope. French and Welsh. We are hoping to be here FT and working on our Elective Residency visa.
We haven't decided which part of Italy we will visit and move to in the future. I live near the Grand Canyon now. Never thought we would ever leave there.
Hi new to your channel love it. Living in California. Are you retired? If so what did you do for work ? Thanks Mike
Yes. We’re retired. Beth was a middle school teacher and I was (gulp) and insurance broker…
@@beeseurotravel I’m currently a math teacher at a middle school here in southern California and contemplating retirement. That’s how I stumbled across your video, you mentioned your neighbor being Maltese, been there twice and loved it. My father was born in Valetta.
Nice. Lots of Maltese are coming to Sicily because you can still find affordable land here…
Is that Irene Martin!? From Palazzolo?
Yes 😎
Our cousin!!🎉
Hi do you know any builders in Sicily
No. Not yet. Sry
I sure do want to talk to you.
What would you like to say??
Do you mean sharing how much you paid for your property?
Nope. 65,000
@@beeseurotravel Thank you.
Any worries about organized crime?
Nah. They’re into the big stuff now. Like politics. The only way the average guy on the street would come into contact is thru prostitution or drugs.