Days 7-9: Part 2

Days 7-9

A Weekend in Florence
Part 2: This is what I learned

I love Urbino. Florence was lovely, but Urbino has bewitched me body and soul, and I love it. Lo amo Urbino. I came to this conclusion after walking around in the heat of Florence for half a day. Urbino is like a woman who is a showstopper with no makeup, while Florence was an attractive woman only when she applied makeup on. Make sense?

I also love America. Before I came to Italy, America was the norm for me. I didn't actually realize how much I had until it was gone. Of course, I think Italy is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, but so is the beach at sunrise, or West Virginia mountains in the fall. In fact, I feel more patriotic than ever. I think partially it is because it's hard to feel that you are part of a culture when you can't speak the language very well and when you don't understand the cultural norms. I believe that being here is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but I am grateful that I can call America my home.

I miss American food, aka I miss knock off foreign food. I miss Mexican, Italian, Seafood, Chinese, Mexican, and homemade. Yes I said Mexican twice because I love it more than my own toes, and yes I said Italian because as of today I haven't been mind blown by any food. The "authentic" foreign food in America isn't comparable to the food people actually eat abroad. I haven't been to Mexico, but I am sure the food taste different there than at El Charro (which I miss so so dearly). Before the group left on the train, we picked up some Subway. What was odd was that Italian Subways don't have regular yellow mustard or banana peppers, but they do have yogurt and ketchup to put on your sub.

And all over Italy there is such thing as a ketchup flavored chip. How odd. I don't usually like ketchup as it is so I think I will pass on that.

English speaking people were everywhere. This was a nice break from the usual everyday struggle. I didn't expect that, and half the time I wanted them to talk to me in Italian so I could learn more.

Italians love Americans. Which worked really well for me. It was fun trying to communicate and hang out with some of the locals. I wish I chilled more with them. On the way back from eating at a cafe in between trains, we passed three guys who were walking in the opposite direction. They almost passed us when they heard we were speaking english. They immediately turned around and asked to take a selfie. I guess selfies are universal.