We could all use some levity in these challenging times of negative news on everything from Wall Street to the Iraq War.
Tuscans (and Italians in general) are known for their resilience in difficult times and for using humor to lighten their loads.
I love to write about Italy with all its charms and quirks (in a very loving way, of course)! Following is the first installment in a series about reflections on Italian living.
May these observations bring a smile to you today or perhaps bring back memories of your trip to Italy!
You know you’re in Italy when…
- You’re back for the third time today at a store that has the “Torno Subito” (I’ll be right back) sign on the door and you still can’t find anybody there
- You ordered a cappuccino or bought a gift-wrapped package that look like art work
- You shower with your hands at your side because you might bump into the shower walls if you bend your elbows
- You go to the beach and see that some older men are in denial that the Speedo fad has come and gone while the younger guys wear surfer pants down to their knees
- The freshly-made espresso you drink is rich, dark, thick, frothy, smells like fresh-roasted coffee and is not even a distant relative to anything you’ve ever had at Starbuck’s
- You are driving toward a town and pass a sign that tells you there are 35 kilometers to go. Five kilometers later, you pass another sign that tells you there are 37 kilometers to go…
- You bite into a tomato and think an explosion of flavors has gone off in your mouth and can actually picture the plant, sun and soil where that tomato grew
- The dollar amount you used to buy that nice Italian leather wallet a few years ago might now buy you a cappuccino
- You stop to ask someone along the road for directions and 4 other people walk up to your car to put in their two cents
worth and then start arguing about who is correct - You have never liked fish, until you taste a pasta with seafood or a Cacciucco (fish stew) or order an orata al cartoccio (Mediterranean sea bream in parchment) and realize what you’ve tasted before was not really fresh fish
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