"La bella figura, literally “the beautiful figure”, is an essential philosophy that rules the lives of Italians, yet is a difficult concept for outsiders to comprehend.
Bella figura can mean many things, but at its core is presentation…how one looks, how one comports oneself, how one makes the best possible impression in all things"
In 2008, Kamin Mohammadi found herself worn down. She was an experienced journalist, writer and broadcaster but was becoming exhausted by the increasingly unrealistic expectations of her high-flying job in the magazine industry, by her fluctuating weight and health issues, and by her non-existent love life.
She is made redundant and offered the use of an apartment in Florence by a friend and decides to take a break from the stress and strains of city life. She leaves behind her gym visits, her attempts to lose weight by the latest fad diet and her heartbreak at being dumped by her lover.
Now, you might think, OK alright for some, a friend who loans her a flat in Italy, being able to afford to take up this offer and the cynic awaits for the sun to shine, a handsome Italian to turn up straight away and life to be wonderful for the author. But the truth is, it does not matter where you live, in sunshine or under grey skies, if you are unhappy and miserable then you take this burden with you and, at first, Kamin is unhappy.
"It all began with rain. It fell in heavy sheets as I was lined up waiting for a taxi at the train station in Florence...I was soaking wet. I was in a city where I didn't know a soul, a piece of human flotsam washed up in its Renaissance gutters. All I had, clutched in my damp hand was the address of the flat where I was to stay"
Not a good start. It is January and it is cold. Yes, it is not always sunny and warm in Italy. She ventures forth in search of a coffee. She found the Caffe Cibreo which according to the owner Isidoro is "the most beautiful cafe in Florence".
Now here is when I began to enjoy this book. Kamin asks for a coffee to take away (my italics). She is asked "Why?" asks the owner. "I wanted to drink my coffee as I walked home I explained. He stared for a moment and then laughed "But why so much rush? Where is the pleasure? How you taste your cappucino" So she was told to sit down and enjoy her coffee.
In all the time the author is in Florence she never sees anybody rushing down a street clutching the ubiquitious cardboard cups of coffee. And this is when the philosophy behind this book began to make its impression on me. Yes, she has the time now to sit and enjoy her drink and while we are rushing around to work, yes you grab a coffee on the go, but how much nicer just to take one's time.
Kamin walks the streets of Florence slowly winding down and opening her eyes to all the beauty around her and gradually people smile at her, they call good morning, she begins to feel a tiny part of the locaility.
"There were two sprightly old ladies who I had seen on my first day...they made their stately process each day, nodding to me, their hair styles teased into shape, their cheeks always powdered and their lipstick always on"
And then one day, while talking to Luigo, who works in a local restaurant, he explains to her all about 'la bella figura'
"For example, before I come here, I eat at home. I set myself a nice table, put a napkin, maybe a flower on the table, a glass of wine. I cook a meal, even if it is just a quick pasta....I make la bella figura for me, because it makes me happy inside. It is a form of self respect"
This book took me a few days to read and as I usually gobble up books in a few hours this was unusual. But something about it made me want to take my time and take it in. It is such an engaging book and so well written that the longing to race on is irresistible but I made myself take my time. In a way I felt I was already practising la bella figura, treating myself, not overdoing it but savouring each chapter.
The book is full of people who are 'characters'. When one reads a book like this be it A Year in Provence (France) or Driving over Lemons (Spain) or My Family and Other Animals (Greece) it seems that everybody one meets is an eccentric, warm hearted local. At times this can grate - in La Bella Figura workmen who come to her apartment teach her how to make tomato sauce and cook pasta (no doubt singing La Donna Mobile while at it), and you do wonder how much of this is poetic licence. Then I sit and think of people I have met in my travels abroad and also at home and realise that I, too, have met some funny, barking, witty and amusing people who I could write about in exactly the same way. So I abandoned my prejudices.
I read about this book while I was away on a cruise and emailed to Bloomsbury for a review copy and it was waiting for me when I arrived home (thankyou!). It came at just the right time. While away I had been totally relaxed, my aching back stopped aching, my stress disappeared and I felt so well. I pondered on this and realised it was total absence of pressure and dealing with matters that had to be done and expectations from others. I sat one night alone on the deck and, yes this sounds just like something out of one of the above mentioned books when the author has a moment, decided that when I arrived home I was going to simplify my life and remove irritation and stress as much as I could.
La Bella Figura showed me the way. I live on my own and tend to have meals watching tv and on a tray - I have no dining room in my small flat. But, now, instead of slumping down and gawping at the telly while eating, I serve my meal on a pretty plate, on a tray still, but with a napkin and condiments set out alongside the meal. I sit and take my time and eat it. Sometimes I read and, yes, sometimes I catch up with a recorded programme on the tv but I am now taking my time and enjoying my meal.
And instead of dumping the tray in the kitchen and not bothering to wash up until the next morning, I now make sure that all my china is put in a bowl of hot soapy water and everything is cleared up before I go to bed so that in thet morning I am not faced with detritus.
I now organise my life so that any chores or errands that I need or have to do, I deal with in the morning. I allow myself a cup of tea when I awake and drink it at leisure then I get up, have a shower, make my bed, have breakfast and start the day.
One thing I have always done, and I realised this, was when I read about the two ladies mentioned above, is that when I go out I never ever leave my home without my hair brushed properly, some make up on, not a lot just foundation and lippie, a scarf and a jacket. I do this even if I am just nipping up the road to buy a loaf of bread or a pint of milk. I have been practising La Bella Figura without knowing. My mother, who died when she was 98, always but always put her lippie on when I took her shopping. She powdered her nose with a copious amount of loose powder from her compact, put her lipstick on, put her hat on and took a handbag and gloves. Even when I had to call an ambulance for her once when she was not at all well, she insisted on wearing her most glamorous nightie and put lipstick on. So this practice I inherited from her.
As the year in Florence passes Kamin finds love, loses it and then finds it again. She becomes part of the local community, she walks tall, she smiles, people smile back, she finds peace of mind and happiness. She comes back to London to visit and to work for a short time but always goes back to Italy where she now lives permanently. I found her book uplifting and inspirational and I freely admit I did not expect to, I was prepared to curl the lip and sneer and be sarcastic. Instead I was captivated by her story.
It is now five weeks since I finished reading the book and during those five weeks of attempting to live La Bella Figura I have found myself feeling much more relaxed and at ease than I have for a long time. The small things I have listed, washing up and not leaving it etc seem to clear, not just the kitchen work tops, but the mind. I have sorted out cupboards and cleared out my wardrobe, I am getting rid of loads of china and antiquey stuff at an auction later on this month. I am trying to simplify my life and make it easier. And, as one well know supermarket puts in its slogan "Every little helps"
There are still things I would like to do - lose weight for a start, but I have given up fretting about it. It will go sooner or later and I really cannot be bothered to calorie count or look at the fat content etc on everything I buy. I am trying to eat better and well. I have a way to go.
And I am keeping a journal - it is more Bridget Jones than Samuel Pepys - and I am finding it helpful to log my small goals and achievements.
So, Kamin, I am grateful to you for your book. I loved it and it is staying by my side to dip into to refresh my mind and remind me of La Bella Figura. And I am happy that you found happiness and love in Florence.
Do read everyone.
PS Oh and by the way there are some great recipes given as well
