#398: SPOTLIGHT: Joe Esposito

#398: Joe Esposito  

September 3, 2024

A Backbeat of Community

Question for Joe:  

Does one particular travel experience come to mind (whether travel for work or vacation) that had a substantial and LASTING impact on your life?

Joe's Response: 

I fell in love with Paris the first time I visited in 2006, feelings which eventually developed into a full-blown case of Francophila. Yet it wasn’t until the summer of 2018 that I visited the south of France, renting a villa in Provence and inviting a bunch of family & friends to join.  

A subset of those invited said “yes,” and what unfolded was an adventurous, fun, and just utterly tremendous vacation.

On the plane ride back from France I pondered, “How can this get replicated, only on this side of the pond so more people can attend?”  That query ultimately led to the renting of a lovely home in the Hudson River Valley for a couple of weeks each summer, an annual tradition which is about to hit its 6th year.

I expect about 50 people will come and go over the course of this year’s stay, a mixture of family & friends whom I adore.  Past visitors can attest to the innumerable belly-laughs we’ve shared in that home over the past 5 years, and I can’t wait to see what’s in-store for 2024.

I suspect Joe would love all direct responses from you.  I find it incredibly encouraging when I hear from any of you after I share my thoughts. It is powerful for me. I assume many others have a similar experience. So here is Joe's email… pip  
joeespo75@gmail.com 

Joe Bruzzese's thought…   

Joe, hearing your story reminds me of the value I place on time engaged with those people I feel closest to. There's something that happens when I share the same physical space with a person or group of people. My Danish friends use the word, "Hygge" as a way of expressing the intimacy/closeness we share together. Your story hits on one of the core components of what I think it means to be human. Thank you Joe.

- Joe Bruzzese