We chose this apartment and, even more so, Boccheggiano, based on the enthusiasm and warmth of our real estate agent, Giulio Martini. Guilio grew up in the village as the son of its only realtor. The enthusiasm he and his 30-something friends (The 4 Gatti) have for their hometown is without bounds – I’ll write more on them later.
But perhaps the most wonderful benefit of buying from Guilio was being introduced to his mother, Lia Bonacchi (Italian women don’t take their husband’s name).
Lia is the ultimate Italian mama. She seems to know everyone in western Tuscany, manages a vacation rental, organizes cultural and civic events, immediately befriends you with her smile and offers her help long before you realize you need it. She is from Prata, married a Boccheggiano man, lives near Follonica and seems to be in all three places at once.
Her English is good enough that, along with a little help from Google Translate and impromptu hand waving, she can explain anything. It has enough pleasant gaps, however, to encourage Cecile and me to try expanding our tiny Italian vocabulary. Talking to her is like opening a window to Italy.
The purchase of our little piece of Italy would undoubtedly been much more stressful if Lia had not volunteered to help us with the basic civic maze of utility bills, local rules, etc. She was a godsend to Gillian when she came over in January to sign the purchase paperwork.
Now she has, in her wonderful way, befriended us and sends to us a regular stream of pointers to interesting local things to do and – even better – invitations to events she organizes. Through her we have watched a parade of classic autos, enjoyed outdoor drama and next will attend a dinner theater at an agritourismo nearby. These are local events that don't pop up in tourist brochures.
As I ramble on about our Italian adventure for the next two months, I’ll undoubtedly by mentioning events and places that Lia has recommended that will provide us with an inside scoop on Tuscan life.
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