What's the Difference?

Last week I was talking to my friend Lauren and she asked me, 

"what is the most different in Italy compared to back home?" 

For some reason I was at a loss for words and my mind went blank. I had no idea. I mean there are obvious differences here- that is a given. I realized at that moment, however, that up until this point I had yet to describe said differences and had only vaguely referred to them as "everything" and that they were "everywhere." 

I apologize.

So I decided to go around and try and capture as many things that are extremely different here from good ol'    Michigan.

Not listed in any specific order:

1. Coffee

This here is a picture of my perk. I use this to brew coffee. It makes about a half cup each time. If you know me well enough, you can only imagine how many times a day I use it. (For those who don't it is about 5).

Me and this contraption have become very close due to my coffee addiction. I wish it would grow up though.

2. Laundry

As you can see it has taken over my life. Dryers are not a normal machine to have in the house here in Italy. So I must dry my clothes on this very inconveniently shaped rack. Thank goodness Alex doesn't mind the company in our room. I did not hang my clothes outside on the line because after several comments, I became paranoid they would fall to a filthy death of pigeon feathers and cigarette butts 5 stories down.

By the way- these things, as well as the smaller things like my socks took four days to dry. Please note number three for the reasoning.

3. Heat

This is one of our heater. Granted there are heaters that look like this is America, but the story here is somewhat different. We can only have our heat on six hours a day. It is the law. We have no control over when this happens. Therefore, it is always freezing. So my clothes do not dry. It also is probably why I drink coffee so often. My Puerto Rican roommates suffer everyday. 

4. Grocery Shopping

How cute is this little bag? Just think about walking down to the little market to pick up grocery items and wheeling it home. It is a simple idea. However, it is poorly thought out for those who LIVE ON THE 5TH FLOOR. I had to drag this thing up the stairs when it was filled with heavy items. It gave me flashbacks of my first day here. The cobblestone and small sidewalks also make this quite inconvenient. It flips over on average 3 times every trip I make with this thing. Tomorrow is market day- I will have to go through that process yet again.

5. Cars

Emily and Caitlin posed as my models for this example. This is an example of a car here that is actually on the bigger side. Fiat 500's are the car to have let me tell you. Everything is miniature, or you own a Vespa or bike. I have yet to see an american made car which is so weird to me. I think it is normal to every other one of my friends though. It's a Detroit thing.

6. Garbage

This is very dark, I apologize for that. However, I kept blowing this post off until I took a better one, and that never happened. Again, please notice my lovely models.

These dumpsters are on every few blocks and it is where you need to WALK to PERSONALLY throw your garbage out every day. It's great. I forgot that when i made a left out of my building, there was not a dumpster area until after the Duomo. Which is about a 7 minute walk from me. I felt like people kept looking at me, wondering why I was walking past the Duomo with garbage bags. I was the "dirty American." Since then, I have not taken it out unless I was going to one specific location. 

7. Vending Machines

HOW AMAZING IS THIS? If you can recall from number one, I have this dependency on coffee and I am missing my big pot at home. This magical machine is helping so much. At just .60 Euro cents a cup, I can get any type of coffee/espresso/tea I want, personalized to my liking. This is seriously the best thing ever. I get to choose the sugar level, and if I want my cappuccino with or without chocolate. There is foam, and I even get a little something to stir with. I use this quite often. It is located in a couple school buildings which is nice on our breaks. YUM YUM. 

8. Bidets

This is my bidet. pretty standard in Europe. I think it is slightly humorous.

9. Hot water heater

Is in my face all the time.

10. No Tipping

There is no picture of this but when I go out to either a restaurant or a bar.. I don't tip. Now the first night I went out with my roommate I felt so weird not giving the waiter a tip, I walked out with my head down and tail in between my legs. I got used to it pretty quickly though. The wait staff here in Italy get paid a normal wage that they can live off of, so there is no need for them to get tipped and it can actually be offensive if you try to. instead, there is a 2 euro service charge for larger groups or if they offer endless bread and things like that. I love this and it makes things so much easier when you are with a large group of people. Which I usually am.

11. Tax

THERE IS NONE. If something is 15 euro, then you literally pay 15 euro. It is awesome. 

12. Tabacco Stores

They are everywhere for one. Also- the weird thing is that this is where you buy your bus tickets and stamps.  Huh.

13. Afternoon Closings

Italians used to have something similar to a siesta in the afternoon. This is where workers would go home for a few hours and have their big meal of the day- lunch- then head back to work until the day is over. Mot of the community does not actually go home and take part in this anymore, however, many businesses still close down during the afternoon hours. It is difficult for me to find some place to eat or shop from 12-3. 

14. Secret Bakeries

Apparently, there are bakeries that are not obvious to the public eye. They open very early in the morning, around 4 AM and you have to search for them. My friend was told you have to "follow the smell" to find them. I think this is the weirdest concept and I am determined to look for one next time I am awake at 4 AM.

15. Dog Clothes

Now granted, Michigan certainly has its fair share of foofy dogs dressed in cute coats. However, it is still appropriate to gawk, laugh, and point over such a sight. Here, on the other hand, it is a very normal occurance. It is almost weird to NOT have your dog dressed up in a fur jacket with a hood. I still find myself smiling at each dog I pass, which I feel is very "Michigan" of me. 

These are the top 15 things I could think of that are part of my life on a daily basis. Obviously there are so many more things that I can mention, but that would take all day.

As I go on and discover such things they will be mentioned. 

Off to bed I go.

Ciao!