For clarification...I did not post while in Italy. No disrespect, but at the time I had a chance, I instead found a nice exhibit that features a quite comfortable chair. I'll leave it at that but if you check out Facebook, Ms. Karla posted a...ahem...self-explanatory image of me in the very comfortable chair.
I did post my pre-trip expectations but I had quite an open mind to the trip. I am very grateful to have viewed a Lamborghini while there, although in my excitement I called the vehicle a Ferrari. I also am thankful the hot and cold water knobs aren't switched around :-). The entire trip was very amazing. I remember talking to Chris and he said it best - every minute was maximized! Even the drive from Emanuele's house to wherever our destination may be was nothing less than marvelous. True, those trips made for a great time to nap (lol) but the view was unbelievable - it's like something one reads from a story book. The trip to Genova was the best. I was amazed at how the towns were arranged in between the mountains. Totally cool.
Here's a few cultural highlights for me:
- I made my first purchase with a Euro coin and Euro bill! So cool!
- I walked on and touched a real ancient Roman road and gate! How many people can say that (a lot...LOL!)
- I like the circle/turnaround structures that are used instead of a 4 stop signs or traffic lights. That setup is advantageous. I've seen those structures when watching the Tour de France but seeing is different from experiencing. Maybe when I'm President...ha!
- The direction of traffic is the same. I thought people drove on the left side of the street but I talked to someone and and they said left-sided driving exists in very few countries.
- The driving was also strange at times. Our driver was great but those in traffic were...questionable. For example, in America, its illegal to pass someone while going uphill or if there's a curve ahead. While traveling through the mountains on two-lane, bi-directional traffic, people passed us at will regardless of curves or if we were going uphill.
- I saw REAL Italian motorcycles!!! No offense to Harley Davidson, but I thought that was cool. And some of the full body outfits the motorist had on was wicked cool!
- One more thing about the driving. I didn't notice any yellow lines. In America, we have white lines on the right and yellow lines on the left to help with orientation.
- The herd of cows passing through the town while we were dining was extraordinary. I may be wrong but I don't think cows pass through towns over here in America.
- Small cars dominated the traffic. When speaking to the US Consul, he said it's because gas is more expensive and smaller cars are more fuel efficient. I didn't know that.
- He also shared some information on the school system. The educational system is governed by the Italian government. That is quite interesting. I can't even imagine the effect on booster clubs and alumni associations if the government completely took over education (excluding the No Child Left Behind Act).
- The number of Mercedes, Audi and other what I would deem "foreign" cars was amazing. In America such vehicles are luxury vehicles and over in Italy, "everyone" has one. As was explained to me, the cars are made next door, so to speak, and therefore are considerably less than the prices in America. It didn't really dawn on me that we're in the place where they make "foreign" cars. Duh! Which leads me to ideas on procuring a Lamborghini...
- The number of apartment buildings (or the like) was astounding! Even major cities/metropolitan areas such as Dallas/Ft. Worth, Chicago, pre-2005 New Orleans, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, DC, etc don't have that many apartment buildings in the same area. I think this really hit home to me when we traveled to Genova. There were several places I saw an estimated 40 - 60 buildings. I thought they were business buildings or a small town but closer inspection revealed evidence to suggest they were apartment buildings - there were clothes hanging on a clothes line. Wow.
- The visit to Vallauri was educational (no pun intended). Students get to EAT in the hallways! Wow! And the students stay in the classroom while the teachers move from one classroom to another. Double-wow! And you can have wine and beer at school and not be kicked out!? Triple-wow!
- The view from the Cinema was breathtaking and revealed the influence of the royal families that had lived in Torino. North America eschewed royalty so there aren't any castles or palaces here. Nevertheless, they are places of beauty and splendor. I didn't realize how enormous a palace could be. I guess those childhood stories were right after all ;)
- I recently posted on my Facebook that my tastebuds have been spoiled. I wanted to eat and eat and eat and eat and eat...you get the point. I don't think there's a word that can vividly describe how scrumptious the food was. Each and every morsel melted in my mouth! Pure simple elegance. Example, the bread with the melted cheese in it, the lightly baked bread (both of which we had while in Genova), the smoked meats and pies from Emanuele's house, and many more...all of them were delicious yet simple. Best of all, I was able to accomplish another goal - to have lasagna in Italy! We went to a cafe following our egress from the Cinema museum that served a variety of food. Having eaten three plates of food I was approaching full when someone (I think it was Jennifer or Chris) came back with lasagna. I went and cut out a large portion and ate it. Sadly, when I went back for more, there was none left. In America, there is an expression: the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I can definitely see why this is true. I've fallen for Italy!
- Cookies at breakfast? Simply marvelous.
- The vegetables/side dishes are served AFTER the entree! Whoo-hoo!
- Nutella! That has to be some of the best chocolate I've tasted!
- The deserts were divine. I am infatuated with the Italian version of meringue!
- Personally, I don't think Starbucks wouldn't survive in Italy.
- I don't recall seeing a Giorgio Armani store, but I wasn't altogether paying attention for such a place either.
- I met Giorgia's mom! Super-cool lady!
- Last but not least...I like the good luck thing for males ;) LOL!
The people (parents, teachers, officials, etc) we met were nothing less than wonderful. There was natural awkwardness for me because, though I can read basic Italian, pronouncing the words was a challenge because I picture the word in my mind but the way a word is spelled isn't necessarily how you pronounce it (those "ch" words are a major hurdle). Several times I couldn't keep up with a speaker - they spoke to fast for me to catch every word. However, when I asked whoever was close by to help me translate a conversation, the "chosen" mediator would step in and help! No one made me feel like I didn't belong. Many thanks...
...which is why these and other benign acts led me to quote Karla. To me, Karla's statement summarizes best my thoughts for this trip. I know I don't look Italian :D but I really felt as if the whole trip was a family reunion. In America it's known as Southern hospitality. This was an exquisite and life-changing experience. Thanks to all those that helped make this possible.
Cheers,
Greg
