WTI Magazine #74    2015 December 11
Author : Ladyvette      Translation by:

Dear Italian "Divetti", as you know we are in the Big Apple. We have received all your letters of concern, but we are writing to reassure you that we will return soon. New York is definitely not what we expected. Very cold in the winter, hot in the summer, the coffee has no taste, pasta is overcooked, people talk funny and, above all, there is the old issue of the bidet. How can a developed country like the United States be still determined not to use it? We miss you so much, here everybody runs off and no one really cares about us, we seem invisible in our colorful 50's clothes.

We were told that New York is the place of opportunity, where anything can happen. We left singing "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere", but the only thing we have gained is centimeters in waistline, eating huge greasy sandwiches accompanied by drinks with strange names.

And let's face it, the tale of the great shopping in New York isn't true... Who are we trying to fool?

Dear friends, please forgive us, but it's a paradise here!!! There is wonderful music everywhere, the audience is warm and participant and it was enough for us to sing in the streets for a quarter of an hour to receive job offers from a producer who was passing by chance. So this doesn't happen only in the movies! Wherever we go we are asked to sing, people here are not afraid to share the good things, even success.

One of the most moving moments was when Chiara Civello invited us to be part of her concert at Joe's Pub. We were terrified before going on stage, but as soon as we found ourselves there, with Chiara at the piano, we realized that music is home, even on the other side of the world.

But the most pleasant surprise was the Italian community. Because Italians in New York have maintained the virtues of our culture while acquiring those of the American culture. There is a large family mentality associated with great professionalism. The Italian House Zerilli Merimo' treated us like queens, and the Italian Consulate welcomed us with open arms.

Dear friends, do not tell anyone around, but between us and New York there is a genuine feeling! We take aperitifs with the marvelous Roberto Mancinelli on the stunning terrace at the 54th floor, we go to vernissages, we are photographed by young underground artists, interviewed by Italian and American TV's.

This city loves us and we love her. Please, take a look at the video journal of this adventure, here! But, dear "divetti", we are coming back home, because in spite of everything we miss Italy to death.