Could you live without electricity?

an Untouched village in the Alps

We crossed the Alps many times from Italy into France and I was always intrigued by the mountain villages with their tiny tiny narrow “roads” and the life the people lived here.

This village although not in Italy is only a short way over the border into Switzerland and is the closest I’ve found on You Tube to the antique villages of the Italian Alps. As soon as I can I am heading for the mountains to photograph and share with you these beautiful mysterious dwellings.

Valle Bavona is surrounded by hydroelectric power plants, but in the 1950s its inhabitants rejected electricity. Keeping away from modernity has been a plus for the valley. Since it had no electricity, no new buildings were constructed and the valley retained much of its authenticity.

and the gang x

19 replies
  1. Greg Marlow
    Greg Marlow says:

    I got a real feel for how easy electricity has made our modern life while exercising on an exercise bike I made out of an electric generator and an old bicycle. I generate 120 watts for 15 minutes and get just as winded as in a two mile jog. I imagined having to do a two mile jog every time I ran a 120 watt appliance for 15 min (0.03 kW-hr). My monthly electric bill averages 325 kW-hr. If you do the math that comes out to over 21,000 miles of jogging every month. That is how easy electricity has made our lives. The energy comes from oil, coal, gas, or nuclear sources but electricity lets us use that energy in so many ways.

    Reply
    • Lisa Chiodo
      Lisa Chiodo says:

      HI Greg, we so take it for granted but with your bike we would be a lot fitter and healthier all be it no time to do anything else..But i suppose in the past you spent all you days working and off to bred when it got dark.. Today we need it mostly to power all our toys and avoid the conversations, sad in a way….Sam

      Reply
  2. Krista
    Krista says:

    What an amazing and beautiful place! During the stormy summer months we often go without power and after the initial ACK moment, I love it. 🙂 It’s a lovely reprieve from normal life. Don’t think I’d fancy it forever though. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Wynne
    Wynne says:

    What a beautiful place. But I’m with you: I need those creature comforts!

    Reply
    • Lisa Chiodo
      Lisa Chiodo says:

      we just finally got our washing machine fixed so it doesn’t leak, now I appreciate these things so much more xx

      Reply
  4. Bob
    Bob says:

    I have lived without power… I built a small home years ago in the mountains. The nearest house was about 3 km down the hill. It was a romantic dream… the reality was harsh stuff. Unless you have hermit in your blood, it just doesn’t work, at least when you’re living alone. In the end I think a lot of life is about relationships. I reckon if you can find a place with good people, people who get you and you them, then mate you can live without electricity. Ahahahahaha then again perhaps that’s just another romantic notion lol. Go for it and see what happens, you can’t plan adventure!

    Reply
    • Lisa Chiodo
      Lisa Chiodo says:

      Bob this is so true, we have found a wonderful community at Bobbio Pellice, and the great thing is that the borgata is now ringing with the sound of children. We are part of a working community and are total novices so we are learning lots. A romantic dream but with electricity….sounds just right. Where was your home in the mountains, and I love the total lack of planning involved in our adventures thus far ha ha xxx ciao for now and great to chat lisa x

      Reply
  5. ruth
    ruth says:

    Hi I am a single mum planning to travel the world later this year with my 6 yr old son. we want to go to Europe but probably won’t get there til next year. How do we get to visit your wonderful village? we are on a budget so where would we stay nearby also – ie closest town we can drive to etc, many thanks Ruth

    Reply
  6. Tracy
    Tracy says:

    That village looks amazingly lovely. I’m not sure that we could live without electricity, we’re very addicted to our technology … but a part of me wants to jump on the next plane and take up the challenge just to see if we could. I think I would happily swap my laptop for waking up to that view … at least for a month!

    Reply
    • Lisa Chiodo
      Lisa Chiodo says:

      Beautiful isn’t it Tracy, I’m sure that your family would be up for the challenge given what you’ve been going through in Thailand! I think if you can give up “stuff” then electricity would be a piece of cake… They do have solar power so you might be able to keep the laptop (but would you want it?). Loved your post about the radiator, how lucky were you to have it fixed so quickly!
      ciao for now
      Lisa

      Reply
  7. Donna Saiia
    Donna Saiia says:

    I would like to think I could live without electricity for a long period of time, but I imagine there are a number of things I would miss, especially in a frigid winter. I love it, though, when I am immersed in total silence – no motor hums from refrigerators, no cars speeding by. It is delicious. It is when I ‘hear’ with an intensity that is awe-inspiring. My studio has no TV or computer, no heat. I rely on outside light for as long as I can and turn on the electric lights when the sun hides. A balance of old and new is good for me.

    Reply
    • Lisa Chiodo
      Lisa Chiodo says:

      Hi Donna, the closest I have been to total silence is waking up in the house in Gambasca after it had snowed. Everyone was asleep and I crept downstairs and opened the door to magic! Silence and it was like the world was holding it’s breath, I’ve never forgotten the feeling. I love your stories especially the one about your daughter and her finding her talents. Lovely to meet you, ciao for now Lisa

      Reply
  8. LindyLouMac in Italy
    LindyLouMac in Italy says:

    No I could not live without electricity, a generator would be the first purchase! I love these villages and have seen similar driving through the region.

    Reply
    • Lisa Chiodo
      Lisa Chiodo says:

      Me too, I’d have to have a generator! Mainly for the computer, most other things I could do without. These villages just fascinate me.
      ciao for now Bella
      Lisa

      Reply
  9. Lisa Wood
    Lisa Wood says:

    I am not sure that I could live without electricity! I have sold a lot of our things, or given them away so that I could learn to live with less stuff – but I am not sure that I could work without power! I need the internet for my business, and the hair dryer for when my hair is really wet! And the boys love reading – gosh you are amazing to want to live in Italy.

    Cheers
    Lisa

    Reply
    • Lisa Chiodo
      Lisa Chiodo says:

      I know Lisa, I’ve been thinking about what I couldn’t live without that runs on electricity and the only must have for me is the computer. We have already lived without TV for the two years we were in Gambasca (could have some arguements from the kids). I wouldn’t like to have to do the washing by hand, although these people in the clip do generate their own power so we could do that.

      By giving up most of our “stuff” we’ve just got used to living without things that we thought were necessities. I can see the effect of our suburban lifestyle on the kids. Since being back in Australia it’s just become normal to let them watch TV and play on the computer.

      Last week we went into mini Italy mode with new rewards for reading and limited time on games or TV. My nine year old daughter loves rewards and has read nine books in three days! Now she wants me to get off facebook so I am looking at how to streamline my time online.

      Life is always fun round here, and with your family I bet,
      ciao
      Lisa

      PS wonder if you could do me a favor, I’ve been told there is a problem when readers try to respond to my first response to their comments (like this one). Could you respond to this and see what happens, I know people want to reply back but something is going wrong. ciao again Lisa

      Reply
  10. Jodi Hayward
    Jodi Hayward says:

    Hi! I randomly stumbled upon your blog recently while researching ideas for renovations to our boring old 1960s West Australian house 🙂 While totally separate from our project, I’m loving just following your blog – very interesting, thankyou!! Especially LOVE following the reno posts about your old house in Italy, it’s beautiful 🙂 Jodi

    Reply
    • Lisa Chiodo
      Lisa Chiodo says:

      Hi Jodi, I’m so glad you stumbled upon us, another renovator yeahhhh! I often feel like I’ve been renovating forever, are you just starting your renovations? The old houses in Italy are just incredible and so are the people who often still live in them. Look forward to seeing you here, let us know how your own reno’s are going.
      ciao for now
      Lisa

      Reply

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