Well I’m sorry that my blogs have not been as plentiful as we all have hoped for but it’s a lot harder to sit down at my computer to write a story than I had imagined. First off I don’t really enjoy writing very much and secondly I’m in Italy and have been trying to spend as much time outside as I possibly can because the weather is going to turn cold and rainy pretty soon.
So here I sit at my computer on a Tuesday evening and I’m trying to find something to do besides my homework (I’m really good at procrastinating when it comes to that) and I realized that it has been some time since I’ve written. It was brought to my attention that I have yet to write anything about the food, which I, like you, find quite strange since I am in Italy and Italy is known for their food! So here are a few comments…
Going to the grocery store is always an adventure because I can’t read the labels on most things and while I can figure out a good majority of things there are a few things that I still can’t figure out what they are. One of the things that I find strange though is that I can buy a small cardboard salt shaker (you can find these in the States too) for about 1,50 Euro, which isn’t bad at all but for 0,15 (yes that’s only 15 cents) I can buy a full Kilogram of it! Now how does that make any since because the shaker is probably only maybe a sixth of the size of the really cheap box for only0,15? Then the other day I was in the Tabacchi (they sell all kinds of things from stamps to minutes for phones to lotto tickets to gum and they are all over town) and a gentleman walked in and asked for some salt. So the guy behind the counter pulled out the same box that in the supermarket was only 0,15 and proceeded to sell this guy some salt out of that box. I couldn’t figure out how much the guy paid for it but I’m petty sure it was more than just 0,15 and all he got was about a teaspoons worth. I’m still a little confused by that situation…
Also, you can find some strange meat in the supermarket. For instance you can buy horse. Now I would have a hard time eating horse anyways but seeing the meat raw makes me not want to try it at all. It’s a very dark reddish color and pretty bloody looking and really doesn’t look all that appealing but nonetheless they have a section for it in the meat department just as if it was chicken or beef.
The pizzas here are amazing but very different than those you get in the US. First off everyone gets their own pizza (nobody shares and you can’t take leftovers home which really drives me nuts) and the things are as big as a medium size that you would get from Domino’s! They also have very little cheese on them. You can also usually find some strange ingredients that you would never think of putting on pizza like egg. One of the guys, Alex, ordered this pizza that had bacon and egg on it and surprisingly it was very good!
One of the strangest things I think I’ve come across is what in Italian is called Rucola. I’ve seen this word on every single menu I’ve looked at but I didn’t know what it was so I didn’t really think about it too much. Then one day I was looking at an English version of a menu and Rucola was translated into Rockets. Well I figured that it was just a mistake because I’ve never heard of a food called Rockets but then I was talking to this girl that works in a bar that I have lunch at quite often and she said no that that is how it is translated (she speaks perfect English and it’s nice to go in there and actually be able to understand someone and have them understand me.) She let me try it and it’s kind of like spinach but with a strong bitter sour taste. It’s actually really good in or on things but I wouldn’t eat it by itself.
Mostly when I’m out I have pizza because it’s the cheapest and I am living on a budget but this last weekend while I was in Florence I decided to splurge a little bit well it was more than just a little bit but worth every penny. The guy I went with, Nickolo, was told by his host-mom that the food that Florence is known for (each city has it’s own specialty; Ferrara’s is a pumpkin ravioli dish) is their steak. Well when dinner time came we looked at many restaurants to find that they all serve what is called Bistecca Fiorentina or grilled T-bone steak. All I can really say about the steak that I had was that it was the best piece of meat that I have ever eaten! I’m not sure exactly what made it so amazing but it was and it was nice and juicy but not bloody juicy and the seasonings they used were somewhat mild but each bite I took was seasoned perfectly and all the way through.
Allora (Italians say this word all the time and it means a variety of things but in this case I’m using it as ok) well enough talk about food because I’m starting to get hungry and I already ate dinner!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Pictures!
The bell Tower
Above the church entrance (notice the difference between whose going left or right)
Some of the people who came out with me on my birthday!
The clock tower on my birthday
Sammi, me and Molly in 'Little Venice' or Comacchio
Center of town
My apartment
The address is 19 and there are 19 angel heads above the doorFriday, September 7, 2007
Cars vs. Bikes
While living in Portland for the last 5 years I have learned to live with all the bicyclists but for the most part I can’t stand them. It is probably the thing that I hate most about Portland because it seems that the bicyclists cannot seem to make up their mind on whether they would like to be a car or a pedestrian. So as I drive down the road, which was made for cars, I have to constantly be on the look out for bicyclists who are on my road. Sometimes it is not too bad because there are bike lanes but when there isn’t then I have to constantly slow down and drive behind them until I am able to pass. Or there are the times when they are weaving in and out of the line of cars and they just sneak up beside you. Anyways I have always complained about them and thought we would all just be better off if either they drove cars or just walked on the sidewalk like everyone else.
Well…now I am one of those bicyclists that I have complained about for so many years!
In the town of Ferrara they say that there are 2.2 bicycles, biciclettas in Italian, per every person. At first I was a little skeptical on if there really were going to be this many bicycles and if really everyone rode one but as I stepped off the bus and into the town of Ferrara I soon found out that it was very true. Not only do I see the average person riding their bike but I have seen men in business suits with briefcases, old ladies in dresses and heels, and even mothers with sleeping children strapped into a bikeseat. They weren’t lying when they said that everyone in town rides a bike!
During the first few days while I was here I was able to do a lot of observations on all of the cyclists. It was amazing to see these people weave in and out of the crowds without hitting a single person or car. Yes there still are cars and while there are not many towards the center of town there are quite a few in the more ‘modern’ parts of town which I have to ride through in order to get to classes or the center of town. Plus in the center of town there are always a lot of people unless it is the afternoon siesta in which case everyone is off taking their 3 hour lunch.
Once I had purchased my second hand bike (bicicletta secondo mano) I realized that I don’t remember the last time I had actually ridden a bike. Lucky for me its like the old saying goes ‘once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget.’ I was a little wobbly at first but have now gotten the hang of it again and am doing just fine. My first trip into town was a little bit of an eye opener though because I had to ride down the streets with all of the cars; now I am on the other side of the bike vs. car argument that I had such strong feelings about before.
In the next few weeks I am sure that I will become much more comfortable riding my bike while surrounded by so many pedestrians and cars. It will be very interesting to see my outlook on all of the cyclists in Portland when I return to the States and am able to drive my car again, well that is if I decide to drive my car and not give into the cycling environment that Portland has so wonderfully created.
Well…now I am one of those bicyclists that I have complained about for so many years!
In the town of Ferrara they say that there are 2.2 bicycles, biciclettas in Italian, per every person. At first I was a little skeptical on if there really were going to be this many bicycles and if really everyone rode one but as I stepped off the bus and into the town of Ferrara I soon found out that it was very true. Not only do I see the average person riding their bike but I have seen men in business suits with briefcases, old ladies in dresses and heels, and even mothers with sleeping children strapped into a bikeseat. They weren’t lying when they said that everyone in town rides a bike!
During the first few days while I was here I was able to do a lot of observations on all of the cyclists. It was amazing to see these people weave in and out of the crowds without hitting a single person or car. Yes there still are cars and while there are not many towards the center of town there are quite a few in the more ‘modern’ parts of town which I have to ride through in order to get to classes or the center of town. Plus in the center of town there are always a lot of people unless it is the afternoon siesta in which case everyone is off taking their 3 hour lunch.
Once I had purchased my second hand bike (bicicletta secondo mano) I realized that I don’t remember the last time I had actually ridden a bike. Lucky for me its like the old saying goes ‘once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget.’ I was a little wobbly at first but have now gotten the hang of it again and am doing just fine. My first trip into town was a little bit of an eye opener though because I had to ride down the streets with all of the cars; now I am on the other side of the bike vs. car argument that I had such strong feelings about before.
In the next few weeks I am sure that I will become much more comfortable riding my bike while surrounded by so many pedestrians and cars. It will be very interesting to see my outlook on all of the cyclists in Portland when I return to the States and am able to drive my car again, well that is if I decide to drive my car and not give into the cycling environment that Portland has so wonderfully created.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
My first days in Italy!
Well I’ve finally made it! After an exhausting and sleepless flight I touched down in Italy. The land is much more flat than I was imagining and it almost reminds me of Eastern Washington except for the fact that it has all these amazing little Italian villages that you can’t compare to anything in Washington. There is about 35 students in both programs and I think I am only 1 of maybe 3 or so that are above the age of 22. It’ll be strange to try and get used to hanging out with so many younger students when almost all of my friends from back home are older than I am.
The town is so amazing. I have yet to meet more than one or two people that speak more than maybe 5 or 6 English words which has made it interesting but fun to try to buy or order anything. I will definitely be able to practice all the Italian I want while I’m here because English will not get me vary far.
My apartment is nice but almost too American. I share a one-bedroom apartment with Krissy from Chicago. We have almost everything you would normally find in an apartment except for there is no oven in the kitchen. It’s really weird that there is no oven and will make some things a little more difficult but I’m sure I will survive. I guess I won’t be cooking any frozen pizzas while I’m here (and yes you can buy them at the supermarket.) Attached to the apartment building is a mall. It has a large supermarket in it that gives Safeway a run for their money. There is also a 1 euro store, or dollar store, a 10 screen movie theater, arcade with a pool table (YAY!) a few restaurants/cafes and some clothing stores. It’s nice to have everything so close but it makes me feel more like I’m in the US than I am in Italy. Hopefully I’ll be spending more time in the town than I will be here. The apartment building is located just outside the city walls and about a 15-minute walk from the city center.
I have finally gotten a bike and it was pretty amusing to see me ride it for the first time. I don’t remember the last time that I had ridden a bike but like they say I still remembered how to do it! It’s funny because in Portland I hate the bicyclists and here I am turning into one of them. Luckily there are fewer cars than there are in Portland but way more people to try and maneuver around when riding down the streets. I’m sure I’ll either run someone over or be run over before the year is done J
Some side comments –
Men’s fashion: Well it’s pretty funny but a lot of men in Italy wear Capri pants and they are usually a very bright color such as red or blue. If they aren’t wearing capris then you will find a lot of them wear skinny jeans (really tight all through the legs.) Also you will find many men carry/wear a fanny pack. Who would have ever guessed that those would make a come back but they are everywhere!
Music: Almost every store, restaurant or bar plays American music. I heard The Fray the other day and I found that to be extremely odd.
Public toilets: You will never find toilet seat covers in a public bathroom here and you’re really lucky if there is even a toilet seat. There are rumors that some of the public bathrooms just have holes in the ground with places to put your feet when you squat but thankfully I have yet to find those ones!
Public displays of affection: It is everywhere! Italians are not shy when it comes to kissing each other in public! They also hold hands differently than what I’m used to. Instead of having all of their fingers entwined they usually just hold on to one or two fingers or just clasp their hands together.
The town is so amazing. I have yet to meet more than one or two people that speak more than maybe 5 or 6 English words which has made it interesting but fun to try to buy or order anything. I will definitely be able to practice all the Italian I want while I’m here because English will not get me vary far.
My apartment is nice but almost too American. I share a one-bedroom apartment with Krissy from Chicago. We have almost everything you would normally find in an apartment except for there is no oven in the kitchen. It’s really weird that there is no oven and will make some things a little more difficult but I’m sure I will survive. I guess I won’t be cooking any frozen pizzas while I’m here (and yes you can buy them at the supermarket.) Attached to the apartment building is a mall. It has a large supermarket in it that gives Safeway a run for their money. There is also a 1 euro store, or dollar store, a 10 screen movie theater, arcade with a pool table (YAY!) a few restaurants/cafes and some clothing stores. It’s nice to have everything so close but it makes me feel more like I’m in the US than I am in Italy. Hopefully I’ll be spending more time in the town than I will be here. The apartment building is located just outside the city walls and about a 15-minute walk from the city center.
I have finally gotten a bike and it was pretty amusing to see me ride it for the first time. I don’t remember the last time that I had ridden a bike but like they say I still remembered how to do it! It’s funny because in Portland I hate the bicyclists and here I am turning into one of them. Luckily there are fewer cars than there are in Portland but way more people to try and maneuver around when riding down the streets. I’m sure I’ll either run someone over or be run over before the year is done J
Some side comments –
Men’s fashion: Well it’s pretty funny but a lot of men in Italy wear Capri pants and they are usually a very bright color such as red or blue. If they aren’t wearing capris then you will find a lot of them wear skinny jeans (really tight all through the legs.) Also you will find many men carry/wear a fanny pack. Who would have ever guessed that those would make a come back but they are everywhere!
Music: Almost every store, restaurant or bar plays American music. I heard The Fray the other day and I found that to be extremely odd.
Public toilets: You will never find toilet seat covers in a public bathroom here and you’re really lucky if there is even a toilet seat. There are rumors that some of the public bathrooms just have holes in the ground with places to put your feet when you squat but thankfully I have yet to find those ones!
Public displays of affection: It is everywhere! Italians are not shy when it comes to kissing each other in public! They also hold hands differently than what I’m used to. Instead of having all of their fingers entwined they usually just hold on to one or two fingers or just clasp their hands together.
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