I've been coming up with a list of things about Rome that are kind of funky and different from things at home so I could share them with you, and also so I could remember them when I read this again one day when I'm old and shriveled. They (the Temple program) said it would be a major culture shock when we arrived here...but it's really not true. Maybe for small town folk, but not for a sophisticated New Yorker like myself (and big city folks from Philadelphia who pretty much make up this program). Rome is a huge bustling city with rude men, crazy drivers, pollution, subways and buses, pharmacies on every block, and lots of snack bars...just like NY! So here's a list of some good, bad, and strange things I've noticed in my first few weeks in Rome.
1) They aren't very good at sealing doorways and windows here. Even though Romans are known for their craftsmanship, expertise, and great accomplishments in architecture, it seems no matter where you go in Rome, or in Italy, they have not perfected methods of keeping windows and doorways fully closed. Therefore, when you sleep in a teeny room with two other people and your bed is next to the window, you need 3 blankets. No lie. And those of you that know me know I usually sleep with the air conditioner on 24/7. Not here. There's a draft in our bedroom and living room constantly. This also leads to high levels of noise at all hours. There's no doubt that every day we will hear at least one of these: Kids yelling, literal guidos working out at the gym downstairs (attached to our building) to blasting house and techno music, girl's high heels slamming on the staircases, and drunkards coming home at 4 am saying crazy things or fighting. We also get to hear the boys in the room above us showering and hocking up spit balls. Yummy.
2) The little napkins you get at a pizza shop or snack bar out of the little silver dispensers...are made out of some kind of wax paper. Enough said.
3) People don't clean up dog shit here. It's all over the streets. Literally. Now I know why some of my teachers say Italy is still a little bit behind in their developments. But, it does sort of make sense. I mean, you do have to look down anyway to see where you step because if you don't you might trip over an uneven street or spaces between cobblestones.
4) They have gelato...with waffles. Or in crepes. I'm stealing the idea and opening a shop in NY. Come visit.
5) The coffee and cappuchino here are amazing. And way cheaper. Like a euro or less for any kind of drink you want. And they make 1000 different kinds (caffe latte, caffe macchiato, cappuchino, caffe d'orzo, etc etc.)
6) They have pastries for breakfast. Um...heaven.
7) They are obsessed with mayonaise. If they had a pool of mayo they'd eat it all. They put it on everything and anything. And a lot of it too. Kind of gross.
8) The washing machines and dryers here are horrendous. We have to pay for laundry unlike the free machines at Fordham (2-3 euro per washer, 2 per dryer). There's also only 3 washers and 2 dryers...FOR EVERYONE that lives in this building!!! The washers don't wash deodorant off shirts very well. And the dryers don't dry your clothes unless you put them in for at least 2 hours...which costs about 4 euro= $5. Totally sucks. Its very frustrating and annoying and we have to hang dry everything :(
9) They distinguish waters here...naturale (smooth) e frizzante (fizzy). It makes me feel classy and special.
10) Travel is pretty cheap. My weekend trip to Florence (without food and gifts) only cost 60 euro for the train ride there and back and the hostel for 2 nights. You can get flights to most places for 50 round trip basically.
11) Stores close in the afternoon from around 12 or 1 until 4. This blows. If you want to spend an afternoon shopping, forget it. Everyone is on siesta. And then, the stores re-open but usually close around 8pm. Sad.
12) You can basically get by with English here. I've been learning some Italian but it's really no use. I can order a few things and ask a few things, but I basically speak English. And I kind of don't care all that much hahaha.
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