Final Fun Facts

Random things about the Italians:
So many cobblestone streets! And nothing is in a grid pattern: its always a maze. One of the benefits to town-planning of the 19-20th century. Many old cities are from the Middle Ages, where circular streets prevailed--ugh!
Their blinds are on the outside of the window, and are controlled by pullies. It look like when a security system is alerted, and wooden planks sheath all the windows! Other privacy measures include balcony awnings that cover the whole front, so people can’t watch you from the street.
They walk a lot more. At least in the historic center. Driving is a nightmare, but you can walk everywhere in most cities. There are suburbs of Verona where you need to drive to get to the store, but I love how it feels like college here! it’s a ten minute walk tops to the grocery store, and the “corner stores” are all around--so convenient!
Preferred snacks: little circular crunchy things, or long stick crunchy things. Sort of like crackers, but thicker.
Graffiti is an Italian word, and fore good reason: its everywhere.
Drinking is part of the culture. People drink a beer in the park often, and most have wine with dinner. It’s not about getting drunk, it just tastes good with your meal. Teenagers still drink (drinking age is 16) in access, and in public. It’s not illegal as much as frowned upon. I watched some 15 year olds chug sambuca during Carnival: lovely. I saw another group with a shopping cart (didn’t realize they even had those here) filled with booze and mixers. Grappa is the national liquor, but wine is pretty hard to overindulge in: hangovers from hell. I will miss the option of drinking outside a bar or in an apartment: its nice to enjoy nature with a glass of wine!
Everything you know about Italy is actually about Sicily. Sicily is pretty different from the mainland. Its like thinking the US is all like Texas or Hawaii or California--its an extreme. “Capisce” (think: Godfather) is part of the Sicilian dialect. In standard Italian, that’s capisci. The nasally Godfather accent is also the Sicilian accent. Most people still speak their dialect, but always speak Standard Italian. Its considered improper to speak dialect outside your region (sort of like saying ain’t, or whatever; you don’t speak it in formal settings). Standard Italian is based on the Florentine dialect--the seat of high culture. Accents that are really easy to pick out: Sicilian (because you can’t understand them!) and Venetian (they don’t roll their r, or as my roommate says, they have a weak r. This makes me feel like an invalid since mine is weak also. She says it sounds Spanish when I do it)
They do talk with their hands a lot, but so do plenty of Americans. They do that hilarious all the fingers together thing when they’re angry though.
They always sound angry or annoyed though, its just part of how excited they get. Really, they’re passionate people. I think my roommates are fighting, when they’re just discussing tv. This translates over in their English, too!
For the love of pomodoro, its GRAZIE. As in Graat-si-ay. Not Graat-si. Yes I’m positive.