I’ve spent a lot of time in Puglia, but not as much time as I’d like exploring it. One day we decided to drive out and see the famous 13th-century Castel del Monte (Castle of the Mount) perched up on a hill out in the middle of the Puglian countryside, near the city of Andria (which, if you didn’t know, is famous for the lovely burrata cheese you all know and love). Castel del Monte is a World Heritage Site as well as being depicted on the back of the Italian 1 Euro cent coin.

Our first glimpse of the structure in the car there really made an impact. It sits out in the middle of nothing, and the forest surrounding it acts as shelter and camouflage both.

The octagon shape is what really sets it apart from other castles I’ve seen, and the smooth exterior which is unfortunately no longer the original.

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I’ve cooked with quinoa for a while now, and I keep finding ways to use it in savory dishes. But what about sweet? I wanted to start using quinoa as a porridge in the mornings as I had been reading about, but since I have quite a lot of oatmeal around the house, and not much granola, I decided to make that instead.

Quinoa granola. Yum. House smells awesome!

— Sara Rosso (@rosso) February 18, 2012

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After spending several years living abroad, often when I return home for a visit I’ll hear comments like “wow, you’re so lucky” or “I wish I could do that” – often tied directly to the listener’s feelings about my adopted country and what they imagine my life must be like, heartily fueled by images from Hollywood.

But the life of an expat is far from romantic, far from perfect, and far from lucky.

It’s uncomfortable, it’s humbling, and it’s a lot of hard work.

Don’t believe me? Then play for me, if you will, a tiny violin which accompanies this explanation of living abroad (in any country) and why it’s not all cappuccinos and pasta. Note: This post is not specific to Italy nor Italians, nor is it US vs. THEM in any way. Rather, it’s a look at being immersed in any culture and language, from the point of view of an expat. 

Are you sure you want to be an expat?

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I wrote on my healthy living site, Food Blogger on a Diet, about how much I’ve come back to eat (and let myself enjoy) nut butters recently. I probably have some every day, and now I make my own!

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I’ve started a newsletter.

The newsletter will come to you from me, Sara Rosso (you did know that was my name, not Ms. Adventures, right?), and will be inspired by the areas that most interest me and my various sites: food, travel, technology, healthy living, photography, and more!

It won’t be just a repeat of what I’ve already done or shared online but will have some content I’m saving special for the newsletter, which I’ll send approximately once a month. I’ll highlight inspiring articles & sites from around the web, interesting profiles of people & things that I admire, what you might have missed that I’ve written, and tools / sites / gadgets that I’d recommend you check out! I’ll probably throw in a few giveaways for newsletter subscribers to see who’s reading ;)

Of course: It will be free and there’ll be an unsubscribe link in every email. I have no interest in holding you and your email address hostage! :)

If you’re interested, insert your email address below. The first issue will be going out at the end of this month (don’t forget to click on the confirmation email that will arrive to activate your subscription).

If you don’t see the box above to insert your email address, click through to the post, or head to my Newsletter page on SaraRosso.com and sign up with your email address! You will also be able to view a past issue of the newsletter.

….Next up, making homemade almond butter!