On Monday in class, we made Pasta e Ceci (Pasta and Garbanzo Bean Soup)... The garbanzo beans are very healthy for you and adding pasta to the soup was absolutely delicious (We made the pasta by hand). We also made Cod with Oregano and Sun-Dried Tomatoes which I highly recommend. I never ate fish before I came here but now I would rather eat it than any other type of meat. I always want to to take pictures in this class so that both you can see what the food looks like but also so that when I return home and try to replicate these recipes, I will be able to look at pictures and remember what it is SUPPOSED to look like. I can't make any promises but I will do my best to cook for you all when I return home.
Talking more about the fish, I also had calamari (and no, not fried calamari from the Olive Garden) but real calamari at Ganzo on Tuesday. I ordered the gnocchi with seafood, not knowing what the seafood was beforehand. Besides, being a little chewy.. it was actually quite tasty. I have yet to build up the courage to go to the market to buy and buy my own fish and attempt to cook it though. Although I found an "easy student" recipe online for peanut butter salmon (yes, i brought a bar of peanut butter with me and I have not opened it yet). Before I left a previous study abroad student warned me that peanut butter is very expensive here and is only sold in very small jars! I love peanut butter so I took her advice and brought a jar with me for when I became very desperate. Although, I think the nutella has done a nice job of replacing peanut butter. And as one of my fellow study abroad students nicely quoted... "It's official, Nutella is good on EVERYTHING!" And we seriously put it on everything from bread, fruit, waffles, and even just eating it plain. They even had Nutella flavored Gelato which is of course my favorite!
So I no longer feel like a tourist in Florence but a temporary resident. I walk around without a map and can even give other tourist Americans directions. It is so funny when me and my roommate are walking down the street and another American will here us speaking English and then approach us asking for directions with a sigh of relief that we speak English and know where we are going. One night, this couple near the train station approached us speaking Italian but my Emily knew right away by their accents that they did not speak fluent Italian so she goes, "I SPEAK ENGLISH!" They were so relieved and very grateful we could give them directions to their hotel. I mean I even have a permit of stay and a temporary visa (not the typical tourist visa) which is crazy to think but I DO live in Florence. Some days I feel like I fit in and blend in but other days I just know that I stick out. It's weird though... just walking down the street, people will look at you and automatically know that you are American, especially the men. Always, always making their comments... I swear they have a sixth sense for Americans. At times it's flattering and I know they are just trying to be friendly but most of the time, it's just plain annoying and we ignore them and continue on our way as if we didn't hear them.
I also attended a Connecting Cultures seminars which talked about some of the differences between Americans and Italians but also how Italians are different than all other Europeans.
Some things I have learned/ picked up on.
- They don't stand in line, they just all crowd around. It does not matter if you have been waiting for ten minutes, they will just jump right in front of you.
- They are crazy drivers and do not follow many of the laws and have no patience for pedestrians.
- It is not uncommon for Italians to stand in what we call "personal space".
- If there is a sign that says no smoking... they will still smoke.
- Italians avoid eye contact and people do not say hello to each other in the street. However, when entering into a store or small space, you are always greeted by the shop owner.
- Italians are very reserved, or stand-offish until you try to make an effort to communicate with them in Italian. If they see you are trying, they respect you much more.
- Italians are not considered alcoholics even if they are drinking at 9 in the morning. It is part of their culture. They actually sell alcohol everywhere.. even in the 99 cent store.
- Basically, Italians do not follow any rules and do as they please, the culture is very non-rushed and laid back. The people walk very slowly and I have noticed that they take their time and never really seem to be on any type of time schedule.
Oh, I just have to rub it in too that it was near 60 degrees this morning with blue skies. I was actually warm walking down the street with my jacket on. I'm sorry that most of you are getting snow and cold weather. Florence is a beautiful city with so much to offer, I am really lucky to have had this opportunity and I am glad that I am taking advantage of these opportunities to travel while I'm young. I'm thinking of going to Australia next! It takes me about 20 minutes (walking briskly) to get to class but the views and architecture on my walk to class are truly amazing. I know I definitely looked like a tourist today though while I stopped to take out my
camera to take pictures on the way to class. :)
A few more quick notes to keep you updated:
I'm still addicted to gelato (we had it yesterday and today)... I think we may make it our mission to try every gelato place within the city and trust me there's A LOT... but I know we can do it!
I have been sick for almsot three weeks now... but I went to a Farmacia (Pharmacy) and tried to explain my symptoms and she gave me some medicine, I have no idea what it is though.. but it seems to be helping a bit.
And... I miss you all a lot.
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