The Solo Weekend in Siena

Since I've been on my own this weekend in Siena I've had some time on my hands to explore and do some observing and people watching. There are definitely some things I've noticed about Italians that are unlike Americans. Here are a few I've noticed most:

1. Great Service, No Attitude: I wasn't really sure what to expect service wise (restaurants, hotels, stores) etc. when I got here. If it was like America you'd have some good service and some poor service, and occasionally run into the employee that has a major attitude and just seems to hate their job. You'd sometimes get the wrong meal or just have terrible service or food. Well...this is not the case here. I have been going out to eat every night with 10 or more people and not ONCE have we received bad service, and even more remarkebly, NOT ONCE has someone gotten the wrong meal. I find that quite impressive. Also for example: I went out to eat tonight by myself to a busy italian restaurant. They had a party of 20 in the restaurant who just came by after a wedding. The same waitress that was waiting on them was waiting on me..so I thought (as any American would) "I'm doomed." Here I am sitting by myself..like she's going to care about me. She immediately came over and took my drink order, asked if I wanted to use the FREE internet, and then got my drink right away. I had told her I didn't want to use the internet and that I'd like my food to go. 5 minutes later I change my mind and decide I do want to use the internet and would like to stay and eat my food. I tell her this and do not get one bit of attitude. She then takes the time to come over and set up a username and password with me. All the while I'm speaking all English and she is doing her best to understand me and is completely calm and nice. I got my food quickly and she was right there to ask me if there was anything else she could do for me. I said no, thank you. (Okay I said that part in Italian though. She deserved it. haha) All I could think after I left was..."That would almost never happen in America." And I started thinking about all of the great service I've received here. Here is another example: I figured I'd be stranded at the hotel and the staff would have no clue anyone was left behind. Well the program director must've told them I was here for the weekend. The guy at the front desk has said, "just let us know if you need anything." "We'll make you whatever you want for dinner." "We can't open all of the floors for breakfast like we normally do for your whole program since they're not here, but you just let us know what you want and we'll bring it to you at whatever time you want it in the morning." Sure enough..9:30am eggs, toast, and juice at my door. So as far as service...Italians: 1 Americans: 0

2. Enjoying the simple things in life: Italians enjoy simple things like food and wine. They spend hours at dinner in conversation and have course upon course. They smile and laugh and always seem to have time to sit down and enjoy themselves. Not to mention everything closes 1-3pm everyday so everyone can have a nice long lunch break. Very nice compared to the 30min-1hour lunch Americans take as they shove McDonald's down their throat trying to balance ketchup on their lap as they talk on their cell phones and speed back to the office.

3. They have diet secrets we don't know about: So they take all this time to eat, they eat course upon course, they eat all carbs yet...they're ALL skinny!!! Someone explain this to me!? I am yet to see a gym around here either. You rarely see people working out. They all wear skinny jeans that are wicked tight..(yes even the guys) and they are all flippin skinny skinny. I'm going to stick with the theory it' s because their food is so fresh and not processed and has a ton of trans fat and gross preservatives like America. Either way: I need to know their secret.

4. They really need to shower more: Okay, so I know it's a cultural thing....but come on. A shower is a shower. It should not be cool anywhere in the world not to shower. I mean that's like everyone beliving Adam Sandler's line.."It's cool to pee your pants." And then having a whole country go with it. An italian man told us a week ago.."ladies here are attracted to their "musk" they get from not showering. I almost threw up. I've had to leave internet cafes when I've been sitting next to Italian men because of that musk. I don't know how anyone could find that attractive...it's like.."A smelly man...ooo baby ooo baby." (gags)

5. Late nights: I remember when I used to work in restaurants growing up and be like "Sweet it's almost 10pm, I need to do my side work quickly so I can leave and go hang out with my friends.." I would not have been hanging out with my friends after work if I worked at a restaurant in Italy. Dinner time is really between 8-9pm here. It's completely normal. We've never eaten before 8pm here. It's kind of crazy and creates a late night for people...especially the people working there. Especially with how much Italians drag out meals! Tonight was the first night I ate before 8pm and that was because I was by myself and didn't want to listen to the Nancinator's wrath when she heard I walked back to my hotel alone at 930pm. :)

6. Apparently January in Italy=Seattle in the USA: Talk about a rainy spell. Ugghhhh. That's one thing I've hated. January has been sooo rainy. I just want some SUN!

7. Scarfs, scarfs, scarfs, bags, bags, bags, shoes, shoes, shoes: I have never seen so many of of these three things. Definitely going to need another bag when I come home.

8. Olive Oil: Their addiction, my new addiction.




More to come on "Observations of Italy" ...but for now...

Things I Miss:
Matt-Been thinking about you a lot lately. Miss you and love thinking about your distinctive laugh. Know your looking down on us:)




This boy-and the way he makes me smile and feel all the time. I am so lucky.

My roomie Sarah, who I was with 24-7 last semester. Life without her is different to say the least.

Laura-Always on my mind. Shine on down.

Basketball. My first year without it in 15 years. I really miss it a lot.

My rockin nana. She's the coolest.

American Pride. Americans in general.

Babson.-Can't believe it, but I do. Slash my comfy blanket.

THE BOSTON RED SOX. And Boston sports and spirit in general.

Friends like this. This picture cracks me up and reminds me why I have the greatest friends ever.

NH and the snow. If you can believe it. And obviously more fun friends:)

ALL of YOU!:)