yes, that does add quite a bit to the story. I had about 10 marriage proposals within a week when I went to a poor country where the men wanted to immigrate. They talk about being in love within a couple hours -- also, they ask for your name and address back home in the USA within a short time of meeting you. It is a common ploy, they just want to get to the US. If he isn't an Italian citizen, I would say that is certainly what is going on.

On the other side, I was engaged to an Italian once from Sicily (even though we both lived in Manhattan at the time, but mama was back home and he had planned we would go back there) and had some comments advice on that, but that clearly isn't the case here.

If you want to go to have fun and don't expect too much, just view it as a vacation and that you'll see someone you met once.

I met someone on my first trip to Italy, took the chance and have been very happy thus far. It's been over two years, and while it is difficult, it can be done. Eventually I will move there (I'm in California) when I am able to break away from the rest of my life here, but in the meanwhile I treasure the time we are able to spend together whenever possible.

Feel free to write off-line:
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Lori - How old are you? I have a story with a "happily ever after" and it is my own.

Check out post"Love in the Land of Mezzogiorno". I topped it for you.