Things I Have Learned in Italy

1. People here move SOOO slow. No one is in a hurry to do anything. If you want to fly somewhere, you MUST get to the airport abut 24 hours early because that's how long it takes to get through security.

2. The concept of forming lines is foreign to these people. Everyone just kind of crowds around whatever it is that you are trying to get to and there is no structure. Another good example is the airport when you are trying to check in and get your boarding pass. Don't bother getting in line. And be prepared for it to take 5 hours minimum.

3. Everything closes at around 2 pm and stays closed until about 4. Don't think you are going to get anything between those hours because everything is closed for siesta. That's right, naptime.

4. Don't go to a restaurant before 7:30 because either they won't let you in or if they do, they ignore you until 7:30 and you just sit there and wait.

5. Dinner takes forever and your meatballs come as a separate course from your spaghetti. Spaghetti first, solo meatball next.

6. Drinking 6 bottles of wine the night before your first final exam is a BAAAADDD idea.

7. Italian men are a huge boost to your confidence. They love American women.

8. Stick to sidewalks and as close as you can get to the building because the drivers are freaking crazy.

9. Cab drivers pass cars on the wrong side of the road and cut around normal drivers and turn in front of oncoming traffic. It's like a scary carnival ride.

10. There are mosquitoes in Italy. (Yes mom, Williston is NOT the only place with mosquitoes)

11. Apparently just like in America, I do not tan when spending all day in the sun. I just stay the same pasty white color.

12. Gelato is like a way of life around here. In my head because it is served in a smaller cup, it is better for me. More than likely untrue.

13. I would kill for Chipotle.

14. If you ask for your food to go, people don't understand. Yet another time-saving, efficient concept that is foreign to Italians.

15. It is sooo hot here. In every picture I take my makeup is gone, my hair is frizzy from the humidity, and I am sweaty. We keeping laughing that every picture has two things in common: sweaty face and big sunglasses. And PS the showers are never enough because when you are done getting ready from your shower, you are sweaty again.

16. I read somewhere that Italians eat a half of a pound of bread a day. A HALF POUND??!! Obviously, the low carb diet doesn't exist and I still don't understand how these people are so skinny. The staples of my diet are: tomatoes, cheese, bread, persecco, gelato, vino, and sometimes pancetta or prosciotto. I had the most amazing brie and speck pannini that looked like it was about 1000 calories.

17. Despite all my complaints, I secretly love it all :)