Anglo-Saxon versus Mediterranean

As I settle into an office-worker's routine here in Auckland, I feel that something is missing.  And that might be the 'je ne sais quoi' of the mediterranean lifestyle.
Don't get me wrong, I've gained a lot.  It's wonderful to have democracy, (relative) freedom from racism, ageism and sexism, professional respect and opportunity, financial/job security, a choice of things to do in the evening, and decent chips.
And yet... Italians, for all the scorn they garner for having a shambles of a state, really know how to live.  Without even having to think about it, they know what's important in life and what not to sweat over. 
Now I'm here, I spend about two hours a day in traffic, I don't have time to cook, I don't stop to ask neighbours how they are over a coffee in the morning, I don't stop to take photographs as often, I don't eat lunch at home with my loved ones, I don't feel part of a community.
I miss the contact of kissing people on both cheeks in greeting.  Us anglo-saxons can sometimes be so wrapped up in our own world that we forget what it's like to connect with people.  At an Italian gathering, everyone says hello to everyone else, and no one leaves without wishing everyone goodbye.  Every gathering involves sitting down to eat and drink together.  Small talk is never "what do you do?" but "how are you?" - about the person not their job.  Work just isn't what they live for.
So, as so many people have asked, do I like my new life?  Yes, I do.  Do I miss Italy?  Oh yes.

Employed!

It’s official! We are now both employed. Ross as an “offsider” (not a bad guy in football, but someone who helps with removals) and I’m a research manager in a market research agency. We’re both happy with our new colleagues and we’re working fairly close together, so we drive to work in the morning together.

The driving has been the biggest challenge for me up to now. Although I’m sticking to major roads to get to work (and really there are only three long roads I need to take) I still have to concentrate hard to make sure I’m in the right lane and don’t miss my exits. There’s lots of traffic, but it moves fast, so timing isn’t a problem. We drive for about 45 minutes in total, including stopping to let Ross out.

I pulled onto the right side of a quiet road yesterday. The shame! The driver coming the other way must’ve thought I was nuts! I messed up a couple of times at right turns – New Zealanders have this crazy rule that someone turning right (i.e. crossing the lane coming the other way) goes before someone in the opposite lane who’s turning into the same street. It makes sense for traffic flow, because the chap turning right doesn’t hold up the traffic for as long, but it’ll take time to get used to.

The right-turn rule, courtesy of www.avalonsguide.com

In Italiano!  Impieghati!

Ross ed io abbiamo dei lavori!  Ross fa il trasloco e io faccio il research manager ad un'agenzia delle ricerche di mercato.  Siamo entrambi contenti con i nostri nuovi colleghi.  Ci andiamo insieme nella nuova macchina.

Giudare e' stato una sfida per me.  C'e' molto traffico e devo concentrarmi molto per non perdermi ne' usare la corsia sbagliata.

Sono uscita sul lato sbagliato della strada ieri - che vergogna!  Il conducente che veniva dall'altra parte mi considera sicuramente pazza!  Hanno inoltre una regola strana di svolgere a destra - non riesco ad abituarmi.