Inspiring Expats in Italy
delicate beauty of oleanders at Genius Loci
While I don’t have (and never have had) a group of expat friends with whom I socialize locally, I do have a small circle of expats in Italy whom I admire greatly – amazing women doing amazing things!
I find them remarkable for various reasons but there is a clear common denominator: their courage to “take the road less traveled” and their resolve to continue down that road no matter what it takes, overcoming daunting emotional, financial, cultural, and logistical obstacles, focusing on the positives and somehow overlooking… or at least coping successfully with the endless frustrations of their experiences in the complex country that is Italy.
Today I would like to present the first of these Inspiring Expats:
Diana Strinati Baur
Diana and I were introduced virtually by a common acquaintance over seven years ago during the final stages of our painstaking restoration of an 1880s rural structure in Umbria which was to become Genius Loci. I was weary, almost broken, after years of hard work, huge worries, hindering obstacles, horrific set-backs… and from dealing with the very unwelcome intruder of major illness – devastated by nagging self-doubts and depleted of all necessary energy.
In the midst of this bleak period, Diana reached out unexpectedly by email, encouraging me – assuring me that she was so very well-aware of the struggle – she shared the pain. She had been there, done that with her similar restoration project in Piemonte and offered her loving understanding and comforting moral support.
What an exquisite and generous gesture! Ever since, she has been my bella Diana.
Diana is the epitome of courage and resolve. I feel privileged to consider her a friend. She is an inspiration to me and to all those who are lucky enough to know her.
It isn’t easy to define Diana: former business executive, entrepreneur, artist, soon-to-be-published writer, ceramist, innkeeper, interior designer, amazing blogger, accomplished cook…. she is the sum of all those parts…but she is also so much more. Most importantly she is a generous and supportive friend, a sensitive and intelligent woman who has met with success in everything she has set out to do.
Read more about Diana’s inspiring story on her exceptional blog:
Stay tuned to meet other inspiring expats – amazing women doing amazing things!
-Mary
Mary, born and raised in California, graduated from the University of California. While studying art history in Italy, she met and married Maurizio. Mary is in charge of Reservations, enjoys sharing her unique expat perspective and her 40 years of acquired Italian culinary skills with guests.
9 comments
Mary, this is just pure kindness and I really don’t know what to say, other than these feelings are returned directly to you with love and respect for all you do. The website is GORGEOUS. I’m so happy for you. I wish you all the prosperity and happiness that life can bring. Again, thank you.
My bella Diana,
It is I who thank you!
I really think this might be the kindest thing I’ve ever heard about myself. I’m overwhelmed.
My dear bella Diana,
You may not know just how special you are!
This is so beautiful! I have not met Diana, but I hope to, someday. So glad you are in touch with such inspiring, strong, gifted, beautiful women. You, my precious Mother, are certainly among them!
What a dear daughter you are – I am so blessed!
Having spent time with both of you (Diana & Mary), I can with sincere honesty say you are both inspiring, delilghtful and beautiful women who I am blessed to call friends.
Aren’t you a dear, Julie. It is I who is blessed to have you as my close friend. I treasure our friendship.
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this superb blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group. Chat soon!