Tell me, have you been dreaming-up any more ideas for that little dream you carry around in your pocket? Did the last story leave you dreaming of long tables of chatter and laughter, homemade wine and unexpected inspiration in sausage-making?
If so, get ready because today we’re going to go down the lively and colourful path that led me to my biggest dream yet.
Let’s begin by setting foot in a world hidden beyond the postcards, where small picturesque villages embellish a crystal-clear coastline and little towns nestled into the mountainous backdrops feature as pockets of twinkling lights, sparkling in the evening.
A place where vibrant locals bring culture and history to life. Real, simple, wholesome Italy.
Ecco! This is where my biggest dream was yet to unfold.
If you’re just tuning in, my name is Chiara and I have a profound appreciation for Italian traditions sparked by growing up with my beautiful Italian grandparents.
When we last met, I hadn’t quite realised just how significant my participation in the ‘pork party’ would be but I can share with you that my biggest dream yet became the answer to the very questions I posed at the end of my last post:
"What happens when these traditions fade away? Who will carry them on? What if sharing them is the key to keeping them alive?”
In that moment of preparing the sausage casings together with Signora Maria, with a belly full of homemade fusilli and the warm fuzzies from the day that had just unfolded, I realised that the magic of Italy is in its people.
In the way they gather, prepare, preserve and share. In the way they open their homes and hearts. In the way they continue their traditions.
That’s how my dream evolved.
What if I could build a bridge between the people keeping Italy’s traditions alive and the people looking for a real, soulful experience of this culture?
What if travelling to Italy could become a cultural exchange that fuels the local economy, empowers families and gives you a full immersion into the local way of life?
This was the inception of Vera Italia - a platform designed to connect travellers with locals in lesser-known towns through immersive experiences, designed to spark those moments of wonder and connection. Real experiences. Real people. Real Italy.
When I first started my travels, I found great comfort in visiting one of the many beautiful churches that Italy has in abundance, which was helpful because I was often in need of comfort!
I had left my good stable job, I had no paycheck coming in and I was simply a dreamer following her heart! While it's all very romantic and exciting, let me assure you, you have your moments.
In my ‘moments’, I'd found walking into the first church I came across would immediately offer a feeling of a peaceful oasis in the cool and calm shelter away from the heat and the hustle and bustle. I found it nice to just sit and take it all in.
It also helped the little dreamer in me keep her sparkle.
My journey from the sausage-making to the realisation of the platform was one of great uncertainty, tenacity, determination and pure magic!
In the beginning I spent months imagining, planning, designing and note-scribbling. On the rare occasion I would share what that little dream was in my pocket, I could read the expression on the person's face…’dreamer’...’probably won’t ever happen’.
Some were kind, some were immediately dismissive, but I had my sights set on something BIG! Something that was going to change the world and make a difference to these beautiful people in these small towns that I felt so fortunate to know.
Amico, my friend, if you’re reading this with your little pocket dream in hand, just remember that you can do it! All it takes is one little step at a time, 20 seconds of courage and for me, those moments of quiet, calm and peace in a little church nearby.
I remember one of the coolest things that happened to me during my dream-making adventures was when I would frequently attend mass on Sundays. If you've never been to a mass in Italy, add it to your bucket list!
Preferably one with an angelic choir…it's a must! I can recommend the evening mass at the church of San Nicola in Plateis in Scalea (you can find more at www.veraitalia.it).
For some context, I work on this project six days a week and on Sundays I have a strict no work rule and spend the day with family having long lunches and taking a mental break!
One fine Sunday morning I woke up with a badgering question about something I had to figure out to set-up the business. Annoyed that my mind was bugging me on a Sunday, I dismissed it and put it away in the mental files for Monday.
That evening as I was sitting at mass, after listening to the homily my mind came knocking and all of a sudden, the answer to my badgering question came flooding into my mind! I immediately grabbed a pen and paper from my bag and ecstatically scribbled notes.
To fellow churchgoers I probably seemed a bit strange, but it taught me that taking a break (at least one day) is so good for flow! Then the same thing would happen over and over when I found myself in church on Sundays!
I learnt to always have pen and paper handy. It was awesome! Like God was planting little seedlings in my mind to help me continue to grow the garden of my business dream! This is also how I found my logo…I can tell you about that another time.
Until next time.
Chiara
