One year already!

It's hard to believe, but it's been a year since we moved here. I'm not sure where the time went but, wow!  When we first moved to Italy, I was given some advice. "You will adapt to Italy in your own time. It may take you 3 months, 6 months, a year, but you will adapt." How right my friend was. Italy HAS been an adjustment. It's not just adjusting to the lack of my favorite Target or being able to get whatever I like at the grocery store, or even being able to understand what I'm reading without having to translate it first. The adjustment is an adjustment to a way of life and letting go of all your expectations. Simply put, enjoying the sweet life, because really, if you sit back and think about it, life really is something to be cherished and enjoyed.

A year ago I came over to Italy with many expectations and hesitations. Many expectations were quashed within in the first few weeks, and frankly, I really had to take a step back from being a self centered American woman and just embrace what was before me. (But I can honestly tell you, that was DIFFICULT and change is hard.) Once I got my rhythm down and knew where to shop, when to shop and how to shop, life became easier. Once I started learning the language, it was even easier. I'll explain the shopping bit in a few minutes, but suffice to say, Italy is growing on me.

In the last year, I've made new friends and said goodbye to a few friends. We got an Italian dog from Lucca, Italy, and he's a real cutie. We named him Giovanni and he is a real italian love muffin. I really enjoy talking to him in Italian, and he responds to me with licks and butt wags. He and I have come a long way with understanding one another and truth be told, he knows his momma is the leader of his pack. We've been on a few travels and a short deployment. We've enjoyed our time together and missed the time with family abroad. But in the last year, here is what I've learned about Italy.

10. Italians LOVE to be outdoors and exercise. They take family walks in the evening or morning, some times twice a day. They plan Volksmarches with their families, which just a planned hike. They enjoy riding bikes. They enjoy soccer and most importantly, they love to go to the beach.

9. Italian pastries are not like American pastries. They are not as sweet but in some ways, they are better. The ingredients are more natural, so you have an opportunity to taste everything inside the pastry and enjoy the blending of flavors.

8. Driving in Italy is a sporting event. The mopeds and scooters, they ride to the far side of the street so the cars can pass. The motorcycles, they zoom past you whenever and where ever they can, even if it's in the middle of the lane between cars. The bicyclists, young and old, groups or single bikes, they ride along the road, minding their business, holding umbrellas during the rain and talking on their cell phones. It brings a whole different meaning to texting and driving. And lastly, the cars. There are certain cars, like the Fiat and Punto, that you know you will HAVE to pass, otherwise you will never get to where you are going. Then, and I swear this is true, if your license plate is one that they give to Americans (we have two types here) you can be sure that you will be passed. Just expect to be cut off, expect to be nearly run over, and expect to merge where there is no merge lane. You must learn to drive offensively and forget all you have learned from the states.

7. Roundabouts!  When we first arrived here I didn't understand the roundabouts. Basically, Italy doesn't like traffic lights, at least that is my assumption. I say this because where ever there is a traffic light, you will find it replaced with a roundabout within a few weeks. I have to admit, I thought at first, the Italians just don't like to stop their cars and wait for lights. But then I thought, it's a great way to save on gas and the roundabouts are very efficient. It took my husband and I a while to understand that the roundabouts have TWO lanes, not just one and when you get that idea down, and you understand how to drive in the round about, merging into one and getting out of one is a piece of cake!  I have grown to love these roundabouts and really think we should try them in the states.

6. Here's a bit more on driving, but it's very important! Driving; Don't hesitate! If you hesitate while driving you've just given the Italian the driver the right of way and they will seriously, cut you off, mow you down, go around you, or stop dead in front of you and let a sheep cross the road. On top of it, you cannot acknowledge them if they are trying to merge with you. It's a must!!  A gentleman I know told me a story. He was driving one day with his daughter in law and they were in some traffic. It was a roundabout and cars were merging together. so he stayed his course,, looking straight on. His daughter in law saw a car next to them trying to merge in ahead of them and said something to him. His reply, "DON'T LOOK AT THEM, LOOK AWAY. IF HE SEES YOU THEN HE'LL THINK IT'S OK. EYES FRONT, EYES FRONT!" At first I thought, 'No, he can't be right', but damn if is his! Another thing about driving, if you are not Italian, you are driving TOO SLOW. I swear, they just like to pass Americans anytime they can because to be behind you would be horrible! They don't pay attention to the traffic laws, those don't apply to them. They speed around you, drive up close enough to the back bumper to be in the back seat with you, and then have the nerve to honk at you for going only 10km over the speed limit. They're crazy I tell you, crazy. Sad part is, it's starting to rub off on me. Beware US drivers, if you thought my driving was defensive before, you ain't seem nothing yet!

5. Reposo: My favorite time of the day. Seriously, nothing gets done during reposo. Shops are closed, some at 1130, some at 12pm, some at 1230, whenever they feel like it. And the reopening time, eh well that's just a suggestion. It doesn't really mean they will open at 330 or 4pm, it just simply means, around that time. So you really need to plan your day accordingly. You go to the gym either very early in the morning, or during lunch; you clean the house during reposo, because really, what else should you do? At the very least, you watch some tv or read a book, but do not, by all means, try to go shopping or expect anything to be open. This includes the mall!  It's a no shopping zone from 12-3p. (And while we are on the subject of reposo, that's lunchtime as well, so run to the open restaurant because after 2pm, they are CLOSED.)

4. Eating out: Unless you enjoy 8pm dinners, don't bother. The earliest a restaurant opens is 6:30, some not even until 7pm. They know we Americans like to eat early. We haven't quite mastered the European way of eating yet. But let me say this, just because the restaurant, trattatoria, spaghetteria or pizzeria is open, it does not necessarily mean the grill or oven is on. Food is made when it is ordered, and not a moment sooner. So the earlier you are to dinner, chances are the longer you will wait for food.

3. Soccer: The Italians LOVE soccer. Rain, shine, snow, or slush, they are out there playing. Weather does not phase these sport enthusiasts. We have a soccer club near our house and just about every night for about 2-3 hours, the teams are out there, rain or shine, playing soccer. Now seeing how it has been raining ALOT this season, I must say that I admire their drive and determination. If it were me, I would get tired of being waterlogged and start looking for some indoor sport to partake of, but to each is own.

2. Italians are direct, they don't beat around the bush or curb what they mean. They tell it like it is. When they answer the phone, the first word they say is "pronto" which means, "I am ready, speak." It take s bit to get used to but then when you find yourself doing it, you know you've made it in Italy. Italians speak their minds, they tell you how they feel and why you should feel the same, but honestly it's ok. It really is ok to be honest and open about things. Sarcasm is lost on them as are some jokes, but for the most part, speak your mind and you will do fine.

1. Lastly, sit down, relax, enjoy a morning pastry or a cappuccino, read the paper, read a book, or enjoy a nice stroll with your family. This is what Italy is about. It's about family and friends. Last weekend, we had a block party set up by the Italian neighbors down the street. Out little street now has several families and it is still growing. The neighbors came around and invited everyone to join in. Rather than a typical American block party with a BBQ and such, this party was Italian style, we ordered pizzas!  Everyone gathered at the end of the street where some tables had been set up. Wine and beer were shared, and everyone met each other. We enjoyed a large dinner with our Italian neighbors and friends and had a great time. The handmade desserts were delicious and the home brewed wine was spot on! Even the kids enjoyed a little entertainment from one of the men who dressed up as a kids character in costume. The meal started around 7pm and we returned to our homes around 11p. It truly was wonderful and I enjoyed their company. It's nice to finally know some of my Italian neighbors and it was nice to enjoy a great dinner with them.

I can finally say I've adjusted to living in Italy. I've adjusted to the way of life here and I really hope that once we return to the states that we take back with us some of the values we've learned here. Ciao tutti!  Ci Vediamo!