When in Rome (Part 1)…
I just returned from an amazing trip to Italy. There it was all about the food, the sights, the culture, the people — all as rich as the tomato sauce on my pizza at dinner.
Italy was an organized chaos! You can find Fiats and Vespas running wild on the streets, Italian grandmothers yelling from restaurant kitchen windows and a bus system that makes sense to only a selected few.
But at the same time, the country that gave us the Ferrari, pasta and the Sistine Chapel is one of my favorite places in the world. The people were friendly, the landscape was stunning, and the food was phenomenal.
Along the way I leaned five life lessons that I will share with you:
You can do anything in heels. It is not uncommon to find women riding scooters, walking the cobblestone roads or hiking up the Leaning Tower in Pisa in heels. I think they must make better shoes in Italy because there is no way my heels would let me survive that.
Life is short – live it up. While the rest of us worry about gas prices, the health care system and economic times the Italians are living relatively carefree. Leaving work or closing down shops from Noon to4 in the afternoon is called a “siesta” – basically it is nap time. Yes, “nap” time. Residents actually go home, have lunch and take a nice snooze. I am not sure about you but I could definitely benefit from a daily afternoon nap! It seems the biggest worry I heard from people was if they should have red or white wine with their dinner.
Keep it simple. Family and friends are always “dropping by” and homes are always equipped with coffee and sweets for this reason. I think we are too caught up with having a clean house, what to make for that perfect dinner before even thinking about inviting friends over. Italians know how to keep things simple – no fancy place settings or complicated foods – just good conversation and some home-made wine is the main criteria.
Driving is an art. Driving is undoubtedly one of the best – and most adventurous – ways of discovering Italy. However, before you hop into the driver’s seat and head for the mountains you need to be ready for some unusual practices. Italian drivers are comfortable driving much closer to other vehicles than North American drivers. ‘An inch is as good as a mile’ is easily translated into ‘A centimeter is as good as a kilometer,’ and they think nothing of getting that close. If you know to expect this and do not panic, you will be fine. Although driving in Italy may seem like a trial run for the next Grand Prix, there are surprisingly few accidents and what seems haphazard at first soon becomes a highly sophisticated art form.
If you want something, go get it. I have to confess and say that I found the pushing and shoving I encountered while in line, getting something to eat or in the shops a little rude and hard to get used to. Here in Canada and the US we line up for everything – lines don’t exist in Italy – it’s a “see who can get it first” kinda deal. When you step back and realize that perhaps the people of Italy had to fight for everything in the past it is the only way they really know or are accustom to. I think that in life if you truly want something you need to be assertive and go for it.
My experience in Italy was truly amazing! I enjoyed spending time with family that I haven’t seen in a few years and I cannot wait to go back to learn even more about the culture, people and history. Have you been on a trip that was also a great learning experience? Do you have any travel tips that you would like to share?
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Comments
Welcome back, Laura! Italy has obviously inspired you. This piece is truly a Masterpiece! I might even frame it! I must say that I am truly fascinated by the Italian ladies I have met and their ways have actually made me reconsider my lifestyle and priorities. I love how you have summed that all up in such a well-written and fun article. Bravo Bella!
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I too love Europe especially since most of my family lives there. I have always envied how “laid back” everyone is there and how they truly know the meaning of quality family time and just enjoying the simple things in life. My Euporean family seems to think that living in Canada is a luxury and that we have it good. I’m not complaining – I love living in Canada and we do have it good!! But I also love Europe and they don’t know how life there is so different with no stresses such as having to catch the GO train, being stuck in traffic, rushing home to pick up the kids from daycare, and so on…
My travel tip is – Just like the Europeans, enjoy every moment you have in life because life is way too short and you can never turn back time. Also, if you are fortunate enough to travel anywhere in Europe, ignore any “diet” you may be on because the food here is to die for!!
Ciao!