Amare l'Italia - Things to Love about Italy!

Well, after about 4 months of living here, I decided to come up with some things that I absolutely love about living in Italy.....and maybe a few things I miss about the states.

First - Sizes of Most Everything
Things in Italy, generally are smaller, from cars to coffee cups to clothes.

It definitely makes things interesting.  I have been giving Craig a hard time about parking.  He keeps driving around looking for the perfect parking space and I keep telling him, "They are all the same size...none are going to fit this land yacht".

I didn't understand all of the people standing up to drink their coffee....well, it is because you don't have time enough to sit down before you have finished your tiny cup.  Well, that is not really true, they do sit in the afternoon and enjoy their cafe' or spritz.  But, they do pack a wallop of caffeine in those tiny little cups.  No French vanilla creamer yet....but I am managing!

Second - Shopping Carts

They have the best shopping carts.  They are 4-wheel drive and you can even take them on escalators. No slipping, sliding and you can go sideways.  And the best part is they don't flop and squeal like the US carts.

Third - Plants, Flowers & Shrubs
Many streets are lined with Crepe Myrtles.  Not typical in the US, but here, they groom them like a topiary. None of the bunches of limbs coming from the ground.
These are neat and beautiful.

Also, the beauty of your house can be measured by the fluff and
fall of your windowsill petunias....Gorgeous!

            

Fourth -Getting Around

I think bikes are more popular than cars here.  You see everyone riding their bikes, to work, to market, to school, to the wine store....everywhere.  Young or old doesn't matter.  It definitely keeps them from a sedentary lifestyle...one that we should adopt!

Fifth - Traffic

This is a mixed bag....some I like, some....not so much.  I love/hate the traffic circles.  They keep traffic moving, but boy those Italians are aggressive drivers.  Typically the traffic circles have two incoming lanes and sometimes the outflow is only one lane.  There is quite a bit of jockeying for position.  Driving here is not for the timid.  Oh, and if you are a motorcycle/scooter/4-wheeler, just drive where ever you want, especially down the center line.  Mamma Mia!

No kidding, he passed me on this!

Sixth - Drinks

One thing you won't find here is Supersized Drinks.  For those that know me, my beverage capacity is quite large.  I've been know to down 3-4 Diet Pepsi's at lunch, most particularly at Plaza Tapatia.  Not only are the drinks small here, there is no such thing as unlimited refills...no how, no way.  Let's just say, my diet soda consumption has gone way down.  Especially when you consider that a small can of light cola runs about 2,50 Euros.....yup, that's about $3.40....EACH.  Gone are my Big Gulp days......sniff sniff!

The Italians are very friendly, my use of the language is getting better.  I was even complimented on my Italian accent.  For the most part, they don't care that you mangle their language, just that you try.  I've had people ask how I like Italy...my standard response is......What's not to LOVE!!

Stay tuned for the next blog post......Asiago Tour, Monte Berico, Nove and Winedown Wednesday!!!!

Ciao for now!