Seize the Moment & Cry - the Italian way of life - Brief Article

A positive attitude and great facilities will certainly make your tour in Europe enjoyable and productive, career enhancing and memorable. But if you don't watch out, you may also come away with something just as rewarding as promotion and travel. I'm talking about an intangible, yet describable, element of the cultures you will be exposed to. While Europeans may value our blue jeans and fast food, you will discover that their way of life is just as embraceable.

When I first began to work at now-Regional Headquarters Allied Forces Southern Europe, I had a very American approach to my work. In a NATO military environment, business is conducted in a different manner and at a different pace, which can be frustrating if you are not used to it. So, my impatience would get the best of me. Both my Italian lieutenant colonel and civilian deputy repeatedly took me aside and told me to let things go, relax, be patient ... to not let work and things out of my control consume me. This approach to life, they said, was healthier and certainly very Neapolitan.

Not to say that my host country colleagues weren't ambitious and passionate about their work too, but they seemed to have a better sense of priorities and a clearer frame of mind when it came to understanding life's obstacles. Along with their food, history and culture comes an inherent philosophy of relative importance that serves them well and is definitely worth adapting.

To point out this mantra of Italian existence, I have a recent observation from my latest journey and a tale from my past.

On the first evening of my return to the Campania region, I was driving along with All Hands Photojournalist Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Saul Ingle, pointing out the beauty of the countryside and reminiscing about why I missed Italy so much. My trip down memory road was abruptly halted by a major traffic jam at the Caserta toll exchange. We sat in a long line that quickly became many tangled tangents of cars in complete disarray. I then exclaimed why I wasn't glad to be back, as we waited for over an hour to go 500 yards.

During our lack of forward progress, I observed how those around me were handling the delay. In the Fiat next to me, a group of young men were taking the opportunity to court an auto full of young women beside them. They were trying their best to be funny -- making gestures and faces, and need I say -- progress. The opposite sex seemed quite pleased with all of the attention.

Amid bumpers, horns and exhaust, a man and a young boy from a vehicle two lanes over strolled to a nearby van, opening its door and breaking into what appeared to be a family conversation of catch up and hugs. Ahead of us, other people were having fun of their own, laughing and goofing around. Everywhere, folks, for the most part, were smiling, talking and even kissing. For them, the jam was a delay, and they still tried to make headway. But it was also a moment in life which they managed to seize to the fullest.

As another example of Italians' passion for living, and for food, I am reminded of a story from a soldier whom I met while on a Partnership for Peace exercise in Slovenia. Over dinner, my friend, Bombardo, tells me of how much he likes young wild boar from his home island of Sardinia. He said the boars reside in the island's mountains and are difficult to catch and prepare.

He worked hard, saved his money and went to a well-renowned restaurant one night, anticipating the mouth-watering, savory and tender meat of the expensive delicacy. After some wait, the perfectly prepared little boar was put before him, and he said his stomach smiled while he began to cry ... cry because it was so good, yet so small, he knew it would be over soon.

A tour of duty in Europe can be much like Bombardo's meal. It can be just as good, and time may fly in the face of its sweet rewards. Furthermore, if you've adopted the locals' way of life and appreciation for living, you too could be crying before it's over.

COPYRIGHT 2001 U.S. Navy
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group