by MK
Every Saturday we’re spotlighting remarkable local females who could change the way we look at the world. This Saturday is Erin Johnson’s turn, a science communicator and photographer who made Trieste her home.
At the helm of her instagram account, Erin Johnson lifts the veil on what it’s like moving to Trieste from New York City, finding love and settling down in our beautiful city on the Adriatic sea.
Where you are you from and what brought you to Trieste?
I grew up mostly in California and Virginia, and lived in New York for most of my 20s. When I was finishing my master’s there I was looking for jobs all over the world that would combine my interests in science and international development. I ended up finding a one-year contract here in Trieste for an organization that supports capacity building for women scientists in developing countries…one year turned into 7 and here I still am.
Was is it easy to get used to living in Trieste?
I struggled a lot the first several months because I moved here not knowing anyone nor speaking a word of Italian. I didn’t know where to buy anything and I missed a lot the convenience and diversity of New York. Once I started to make friends though and to get to know the city better, I began to feel at home pretty quickly.
What do you do?
I work in communications for an organization that supports women scientists and capacity building in developing countries. It’s a rewarding job and prior to the pandemic involved a lot of international travel, an aspect I have really been missing!
Do you speak any Triestino?
I can understand a lot of it and I know some words and phrases. Having lived only in Trieste in Italy, occasionally I use a Triestina word without knowing it and my fiance (who is not Triestino) laughs at me. I’m fascinated by the many dialects and languages of Italy!
Where is your fiancé from?
He’s from Valle d’Aosta, on the opposite end of northern Italy from here. It’s a beautiful but quite isolated region where all of the names are in French and cows outnumber people.
Was it love at first sight?
I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight, but maybe at first carbonara? He’s an amazing cook and always happy to cook for me, I count my blessings for this every day.
What advice would you give someone moving to Trieste?
If you drive, either find an apartment with a parking space included, or get used to driving around for two hours looking for one.
Haha!
Volentieri does not mean what you think it means.
Oh yes.
Also try the riso flavor gelato at Zampolli, it sounds boring but it’s sublime.
What do you love doing?
My favorite thing in the world is just to explore; in fact I spent my first few years here just traveling to a new place every weekend, I think I have exhausted every town within a 4-hour radius of Trieste. I like photography too, so I usually bring my camera along with me.
Good thinking
Nowadays it’s harder to travel as we recently adopted a cat, Tommasina, who gets irritated with us if we’re not there to give her her tuna right on schedule. We keep threatening her with going back to Pordenone if she complains too much but she’s not getting the message. The solution of course is probably to get another cat.
Are you planning on staying in Trieste forever?
Forever is a long time, who can say? But we did recently buy an apartment here so we’re definitely here for the medium term at least. It would be hard to give up the sea and the quality of life in Trieste.
