I've officially been in Italy for almost two months now. I know I haven't written since after my first week, and for that I do apologize. I must admit that I have been working on this post for over 20 days and I decided I've procrastinated long enough. At first, I couldn't figure out how to pick just one topic to write about. Then it dawned on me: I could discuss 21 things!! Since I celebrated my 21st birthday at the beginning of this month, I thought it might be fitting. However, I underestimated how long it would take me to want to actually write about so many topics -- hence the procrastination. But I figured you've all waited long enough, so without further adieu, here are 21 things that I've learned in Italy before I turned 21.
1. Tourists Suck
This point hasn't really changed since my last post. They're still everywhere, clogging up the streets and roads and causing extreme frustration for those of us just trying to get to class or the supermarket. I have noticed that they are worse in Florence than in other places I have visited around Italy. Stop your abrupt halts in the middle of the sidewalk to take a selfie, people. They're called sidewalks for a reason. Tourists also make item number 2 difficult to do.
2. Always Look Up
There is so much history and culture in all of Italy that you could walk by it and not even notice. During my first week of classes I had several of my professors advise me to always look up while walking around Florence. You can find the history and culture in the architecture, art, and decoration of the buildings, but you have to be aware of them. While trying to avoid running into tourists does contribute to making this task a challenge, it takes most people all of their concentration not to trip on the uneven cobblestones as you walk throughout the city. Some stones stick out, other's are missing, and there are even some that tilt as you walk. I honestly have no idea how people walk in heels here. I can't even do it on smooth pavement or a hardwood floor, so forget rocky terrain. That's just asking for a broken ankle. The longer I'm here though, the more surefooted I walk (and the better my butt looks) so I remind myself to look up as long as there's no one directly in front of me. Sometimes a leisurely stroll back from class is the best time to do that.
3. Ice Cream Is A Fraud & No One Should Eat It
4. It's Probably Impossible For Italians To Be Obese.
5. Art Can Be Humorous
I have visited several museums while here in Florence, which houses some of the world's biggest and best collections of art. I've seen more masterpieces than I could have ever dreamed, my favorite being Botticelli's Birth of Venus. I should have done my research before visiting the Uffizi museum, as I would have known beforehand that I would come across that piece on my tour. But I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon it as it's been on my bucket list for a while now. As an artist, I have just been astounded by what I've seen here. Astounded and inspired and at a complete loss for words sometimes. Amidst my deep respect for the paintings, sculptures, and statues, I also discover humor. Maybe it's because I'm on Tumblr too much, or maybe I'm just a snarky person who can also be immature at times, but I find great joy in interpreting facial expressions of classic and timeless art. Of course, that's what snapchat is for. Below is some of the humor I discovered while exploring art in Florence. *Disclaimer: This blogger has no intent of disrespecting the art or the artist, and all jokes are made in good fun. The blogger admires the incredible talent required to produce these beautiful masterpieces and has a deep respect for all art.*
6. Free Water Isn't a Thing
When I go out to eat with my family or friends back at home, you can always bet that I'll order a water with my meal. It's cold, it's refreshing, and most importantly it costs nothing. I could save that money I would have spent on a soft drink and put it in my Starbucks fund. Why not get a water? Here, however, I'd have to pay 3-4 euros for a glass bottle of water. They don't give out tap water, and they certainly don't have ice in it. It's cheaper to get a glass of wine! I told you there was a reason I titled my blog the way I did.
7. Internet Connection Sucks
8. Homesickness Also Sucks
9. Pizza is ALWAYS Better in Italy
I literally have nothing else to write here.
10. Unattractive Italians are a Myth
In the month that I've been here, I have yet to see any native Italian that someone might consider to be unattractive. Not one. Men and women alike seem to just have be blessed with this natural gorgeous beauty. I can't explain it, nor do I have any interest in figuring it out. Instead I'll just enjoy the views (of architecture and people) each day as I walk through the city. I have no complaints.
11. American Food is a Lie
There are restaurants all around Florence that advertise having American food, especially an American breakfast. Don't listen to them. If they advertise a breakfast, it's usually one menu item that doesn't even taste like it should. Lunch and dinner items are pretty close, but there is still a difference. I have only found one place where I really enjoy the American food, The Diner. Actually, that's where I had my birthday dinner tonight. I fully realize that since I'm in Italy, I should be fully embracing and devouring Italian food. However, there comes a time when you have to say "Okay, I've had enough pizza for the week." Shocking, I know. Sometimes a little taste of home is the perfect comfort food and keeps you going. Most restaurants will end up disappointing you, but when you do find one that actually tastes authentic, mark it down. Get a loyalty card (like I did). After ten purchases I get a free meal. Guess who's half way done?? Before you judge me, just a cup of coffee counts as a purchase, so calm your shorts. The Diner is a great study spot.
12. I STILL Don't Want a Selfie Stick
13. Everything is Expensive
If there's one thing that I've learned while being here, it's that studying abroad is expensive. Obviously I knew this coming into this experience, but I didn't realize just how much money I would be spending. I've been keeping a spreadsheet so that I make sure I stick to a budget, but I'm shocked at how fast that money gets spent. The craziest thing I've come to realize is that most of my money isn't being spent on trips or gifts or souvenirs. No, the majority of my money is going to purchase food. I still stay under budget, but money is the biggest stress that I have on a daily basis. However, I have been reminded by several people that if there was any time to spend my money, it's while I'm here. This is my time to treat myself and explore and go on adventures. I may not have an experience like this again, and I am going to make the most of it while being smart about my spending.
14. Donald Trump Hasn't Tainted This Part of the World Yet
It's true. My incredible roommate Justine wrote a beautiful paper that contained a strong reference to Trump. By strong reference, I mean it was practically the backbone to her thesis and comparison of repeating past human mistakes with poor leaders, like Hitler. Obviously, this summary does not do the paper justice in the slightest, but you get the idea. However, all references were lost on her professor, who had no idea who Trump was. Oh, what I wouldn't give to be in her position. Hopefully, the rest of the world will remain ignorant to his racist/sexist/arrogant ways in the near future when he is removed from election ballots and real candidates remain. The world can still have hope.
15. Embrace the Nudity
All art in Florence is celebrated everywhere you look. Replicas of statues, paintings, and sculptures are found on every street. Souvenir shops are filled to the brim with t-shirts and aprons, paper weights and postcards, all with images of famous masterpieces found in Florence. As you may know, most classical art portrays a nude figure. Human anatomy is just anatomy, we're all made up of the same pieces, more or less. In Europe, the naked body is celebrated and adored for being as incredibly and enchanting as it is, while in America it's shamed because nudity is automatically associated with sex (which shouldn't be shameful but I'll spare you my feminist rant for now.) So while in Europe, especially Italy, embrace the nude figures for what they are: a celebration of human beauty in all shapes and sizes.
16. I Need a Music Reporter
17. Each Part of Italy is More Beautiful Than the Last
I've been in Italy for almost two months now, and have obviously done some traveling. To date, I've been in Florence, Vinci, Assisi, Siena, San Gimignano, Cinque Terre, Sorrento, Naples, and Capri. I still plan on seeing Venice, Rome, Bari, Lucca, Pisa, and Verona (at the very least) before I go back to the states. I've seen the countryside, the hill towns, and the coast. Each place I go to makes me stare in awe just a little longer than the last place did. I can't really say that I have a favorite because they're all so different. Here are some of my favorite pictures that almost capture just how beautiful each place really is.
18. If You Look Italian, It's Assumed You're Fluent in Italiano
19. Alfredo Sauce Isn't a Thing in Tuscany
I was very excited to come to Italy and eat chicken alfredo until my heart and stomach were content. Unfortunately, I was unaware that cream sauce is not found everywhere in Italy. I quickly discovered that the region of Tuscany is known for their tomato sauce, so good luck finding the creamy delicious cheese sauce on a menu. I'll just have to wait until I visit the northern regions before I get to feed my cravings. For now, I'll just have to stick with pizza and tomato sauce.
20. It's Cold
When I was preparing to pack for my trip to Italy, I was told that the weather here would be fairly warm. The coldest, the travel guides said, would be in the lower 50's in December right before I left. I was more than okay with this news. I live in Wisconsin and Chicago where the weather has gotten to -60 two years in a row. I can deal with 50 degrees, no problem. I packed mostly shorts and t-shirts. Only a few long sleeved shirts, one sweatshirt, and one jacket. Well, I am here to tell you that THEY WERE WRONG. It's been in the 50's for two weeks now, and it's only getting colder. I was extremely unprepared for this weather, and actually had to go shopping this past week to buy a few more sweaters so that I wasn't wearing the same clothes several times a week. Let this be a lesson to you, my friends. Don't always trust travel guides. Sometimes, they're wrong. Their job is to help you prepare for traveling the best they can, and they can't predict the weather.
21. I Can Survive Without Coffee
Yes, the final thing I learned before turning 21 was that I could survive without coffee. I used to hate the taste of coffee, and it wasn't until my sophomore year of college that I learned the error of my ways. After being able to have the nectar of the gods every day for a few years, I never thought I'd be able to go without it in the morning. For me, coffee isn't just about the caffeine. It's also about the comfort of having something to warm your hands and sip on in the mornings where you just don't want to be awake yet. It's a way to take a break and relax with a friend during the middle of the day. It's a sweet pick-me-up after a hard day. It's an easy and cheap first (or hundredth) date idea. Coffee is comfort, simple as that. When I told people I would be studying abroad in Italy, everyone told me that I was going to just LOVE Italian coffee and not want to go back to American coffee. Well, let me tell you all a little something. Italian coffee is not coffee -- it is just straight espresso. I love caffeine as much as the next person, but there is such a thing as it being too strong. Plus, I like to have a nice big mug to sip on for a while, but espresso comes in the world's smallest cup and after two sips it's gone. I am not about that life. So, I learned to live without coffee. It was a rough few weeks of transition, and to this day I still have moments of extreme cravings. The American diner here does serve American coffee, but it's really crappy. In moments of weakness I'll go and sit there to study while getting bottomless refills. They have only milk, no cream. But hey, it's still something so I won't complain too much.
Two months here and I'm still adjusting, but I'm so happy and honored and lucky to be studying abroad in such a beautiful country. I do have days where I would give anything to be home and be with my friends and family, who doesn't? That day will come soon enough. Right now, I'm grabbing life by the tail and going for this wild ride. Adventures and challenges await me for the next two months and I couldn't be more excited to continue this experience. Once again, a huge shout out to everyone who has helped get me here, and an even bigger thank you to those who have continuously supported me during my tough days. Yeah, I'm talking to YOU Mom, Anna, Lindsey, Heidi, Justine, Emily, Kay, and Allyssa.
I promise I'll be better about blogging! My next adventure begins tomorrow as I travel to London and Dublin for Fall break! Stay tuned!
