Observations in Italy

While spending time in Italy, I made a few observations that I think are worth noting.

This is kind of an ongoing list that I am keeping as we travel.

1. Smoking. I don't think Italy got the memo that smoking is really bad for you. Seriously. They smoke everywhere, all the time. 

2. The Man-Purse is ok. Many guys have them. I have even seen a few that are really nice. I keep threatening Kim that I am going to buy one.

3. Radom, broke-down carnivals. I have seen a bunch of them. They are in weird places and they are kind of creepy. I never saw one kid taking a ride. 

4. Bus rides: It seems like it runs on the honor system. The ticket validation machines rarely work. The bus drivers never check. Go figure.

5. The Italians love kids. They talk to them, pat them on the head, and smile a lot - even to a stranger's kid. I'm totally cool with it.

6. Italians are like people from Phoenix. They think anything under 70 is cold. I will be sitting there, feeling perfectly comfortable - maybe even a little warm. The Italian walks up with a puffy jacket and a scarf, like it's a cold day. Brrr. 

7. Trattoria vs osteria. I still can't figure out the difference. A "ristorante" is clearly more of an upscale dining establishment, like you would expect. Both an "osteria" and a "trattoria" seem more informal and laid back. More like home style cooking. They both seem very similar. If you know the difference, please educate me.

8. High-heeled sneakers. They look like high top sneakers, but they are really high-heel shoes in disguise.

Trendy? Probably. 

Goofy? Absolutely.

9. Perfume. Everything has perfume in it. Everything. And sometimes it gives me a headache. Trust me, Italy, a little perfume goes a long way. You are not sexier if I can smell you from 6 feet (I mean, 2 meters) away! It doesn't stop with the stuff you spray on your neck, either. Just like in the US, it is in just about every product you can think of, but in the US, you can find almost everything without perfumes. I literally cannot find any products without it. They even put it on their toilet paper. Do they like to smell asses here?

10. Parking. If it fits, leave it! There doesn't seem to be many rules to parking, except that you need to pay. I have seen cars left in the intersection, squished into any little, tiny spot you can imagine, on the median, etc. The only time I saw them write parking tickets was when they didn't pay. They literally fit 2-3 times as many cars on the street that they allow anyplace in the US.

11. Food. There are no GMO's in Italy. Therefore all grocery stores are like Whole Foods, except they won't drain your wallet. In fact, it is quite reasonably priced.
The milk is soooo delicious! It tastes much better than anything you get in the States.
Eggs: You'll be looking for a long time if you are in the refrigerated section. They're not there. Look on the shelf. Eggs in Italy are never refrigerated and don't need to be. I think they are just about all farm-fresh. And the shells are super thick, too. It takes a good whack to crack one open, and oh my they taste good!