Seven days, a week, seems harmless, but when a trip to your most treasured place is at the end of that week, well....it seems like forever! I will soon depart for Italy. I know, you're jealous. So is everyone else. It really is a magical place with wonderful food, marvelous people, extraordinary sights, and a special something that I like to call "the reason to go back."
The food, oh the food! The single most exquisite part of Italy is the food. From the pizza to the pasta, it's nothing like we have here. Sometimes it's hard to explain and even harder to live without. (I actually can't eat pizza for at least a month when I return. It's just not the same.) Pasta is a forethought there. It's served as one of the first couple of courses and is never meant to be the "meal." We Americans do things differently. I once almost offended a chef at the small hotel where I was staying. I had the antipasto and the pasta then found myself completely full. When the main course was offered, I turned it down. The chef came to my table and said "why you no eat the chicken?" I tried to explain to him that it was all so good, but I was stuffed. His name translated to Happy, but he was not at the moment. Food is part of the culture there and such an important aspect.
Then there's the people. We Americans again seem to be preoccupied by ourselves that we something pay no attention to anyone else. Not in Italy. People watching is a pastime. Sit in the Piazza with a drink and talk, all the while watching others as they walk past. Fashion, conversation, reactions - all a part of the ambiance. The big cities are much like our big cities, busy and full of people in a hurry. The country, much like our country. slower, friendlier and more interested in who you are and why you are there.
The people watching is part of the sights in Italy. The background builds the story. Small city palaces, cathedrals, castles, rolling countryside, grape vineyards, the seaside, so many sights one can hardly see it all. I try. On every trip I schedule something new, something again, and by accident stumble across truly remarkable things in between.
You see, Italy has so many charming places, coupled with a vivacious culture of people and some of the most wonderful food you will ever put into your mouth that when it's all combined, you find so many reasons to go back!
A week, seven days, can't get here fast enough! Ciao
The food, oh the food! The single most exquisite part of Italy is the food. From the pizza to the pasta, it's nothing like we have here. Sometimes it's hard to explain and even harder to live without. (I actually can't eat pizza for at least a month when I return. It's just not the same.) Pasta is a forethought there. It's served as one of the first couple of courses and is never meant to be the "meal." We Americans do things differently. I once almost offended a chef at the small hotel where I was staying. I had the antipasto and the pasta then found myself completely full. When the main course was offered, I turned it down. The chef came to my table and said "why you no eat the chicken?" I tried to explain to him that it was all so good, but I was stuffed. His name translated to Happy, but he was not at the moment. Food is part of the culture there and such an important aspect.
Then there's the people. We Americans again seem to be preoccupied by ourselves that we something pay no attention to anyone else. Not in Italy. People watching is a pastime. Sit in the Piazza with a drink and talk, all the while watching others as they walk past. Fashion, conversation, reactions - all a part of the ambiance. The big cities are much like our big cities, busy and full of people in a hurry. The country, much like our country. slower, friendlier and more interested in who you are and why you are there.
The people watching is part of the sights in Italy. The background builds the story. Small city palaces, cathedrals, castles, rolling countryside, grape vineyards, the seaside, so many sights one can hardly see it all. I try. On every trip I schedule something new, something again, and by accident stumble across truly remarkable things in between.
You see, Italy has so many charming places, coupled with a vivacious culture of people and some of the most wonderful food you will ever put into your mouth that when it's all combined, you find so many reasons to go back!
A week, seven days, can't get here fast enough! Ciao
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