I went to LA for the first time in 2009. I was curious, I friend of mine lives there and asked me to stay for summer holidays. So ... why not! I live in a small town of north-west Italy, Piacenza, nothing to do with the City of Angels. I don't know why, but for me it was love at first sight. I like everithing: people, the way of life, places, so many events, so many things to do, and then beautiful weather, beaches, Hollywood, the film industry ... so fascinating. I go to LA every year and I feel like home (a very strange sensation, if you think that the village were I live is of 7000 inhabitants).
I found the new continent, so different from Europe. And I don't talk about my small town. Even if you go to metropolis like London, or Paris, or Rome, you breath old air, everithing is ancient, the head of the people is old. Sure, we have monuments to visit, beautiful cities, museums, interesting stories and legends (in Italy above all).
If someone ask me what's the biggest difference between my country and LA I answer "LA is open minded". I don't have to cover a tattoo to find a job, for example (I had a new one in Hollywood Boulevard last year dedicated to LA with palms and skyline, if this ain't love).
"LA is my lady" sang Frank Sinatra, and I know what it means. With my heart I've never come back to Italy, with my body yes, unfortunately, because everithing is difficult when we talk about visas. I'm a journalist and art historian in Italy, but my only hope is the green card lottery.
And now I'm waiting for holidays like every year, I live my life waiting to be there, to breath there.
Maybe one day I'll be there forever .. I don't stop dreaming.