Some things about Italy

Over my 1.5 months in Italy, I recognized again and again similarities that appeared throughout the country. I share them here.

1. The people are extraordinary friendly (but most don't speak English)
2. Nothing and no one is on time. Buses, rides, everything runs late (today's bus was 30 minutes behind schedule).
3. The food is spectacular, and the gelato. But this applies to food cooked at Italian homes, not restaurants. Particularly I've liked the spinach tortellini.
4. The mosquitoes in the countryside are evil and torture those of us not used to them. I'm allergic to their bites so they last for days and when they go away they leave bruises!
5. Good words to know are Dove (where) and subsequently a sinistra and a destra (left and right) so you can then follow the directions they give.
6. There is always a main street named Via Roma in every city.
7. You must put the toilet seats down each time you use the toilet because they raise themselves automatically and stay up. (Talk about a culture in which the masculine is the standard!)
8. The headline of today's regional paper exclaimed that a child swallowed a torch and they are now afraid he will have to undergo a long operation (reading newspapers to work on my Italian)
9. Italy is Very hot in August. And humid. And it's crowded because all of Europe is on holiday this month. Choose a different month if you visit here.
10. It is not okay to put your feet on the seat of a train if you have shoes on. If you take them off and then put your bare feet up that is okay. Old people in particular have no problem wiggling their finger at you in disaprovement if you don't obey this unwritten rule.
11. Don't buy pasta dishes at restaurants (particularly in Rome). Find a local to invite you for their mothers cooking if you want delicious, extraordinary Italian food. Otherwise go find a pizza place that charges by the weight of the slice for the best food and best prices.
12. "Di" is the term used to get your attention, or to express frustration/anger/give a lecture to a small child.

I'm sure there's more, but at this point these are of the most importance.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry