One of the first things I noticed when I stepped off the plane in Rome was how adorable Italian kids are. Have you ever heard a small child speak Italian? It will melt your heart and make you squeal inappropriately (maybe that's just me?). There's always so much happiness in their voices and they speak slowly enough so that I can understand everything they say! Now imagine that adorable image and take it to the next level of preciousness: puffy jackets and beanies. Adorable! I wish I had a picture, but I thought randomly taking pictures of young children was kind of creepy.
The people in Italy dress themselves and their children like they were preparing to brave the arctic tundra. The coldest it's been since I arrived as been in the low 30s. It's usually in the mid to high 40s, but there's no way to know that by looking at what everyone is wearing. They even dress their dogs in sweaters. People in Perugia take their dogs everywhere. They also rarely use leashes, so sometimes I'll see a dog roaming the streets 20 feet ahead of their owner. It's something I would rarely see in the US. Also, no one here picks up after their dog. No one. There is dog crap all over the place. In the middle of the street, on major public sidewalks and in large piazzas. But, the real hot spot for dogs to relieve themselves seems to be right outside my apartment building. I have yet to step into anything but all of my roommates have fallen victim. On my way to classes I often see a city worker sweeping up dog poo. I think that might be his official job.
Another thing that has puzzled me during my time in Perugia, besides scattered dog scat, is the concept of paying for water at a restaurant. I know that this is common practice all over Europe, but it annoys me to no end. America got it right with the free water at restaurants. Also, if you order a coffee or a pastry and decide to sit down and enjoy it at a table, you'll be charged a sitting fee. What!?!?! Yes, you have to pay to sit down! Again, it's common practice throughout Europe, but that doesn't mean it doesn't piss me off.
And don't even get me started on the transportation strikes. There was a train strike this past weekend, that had been premeditated for almost two weeks. Yes, they plan their strikes. They usually last 24 hours and there often exactly during the times you want or need to travel. What are they trying to accomplish with the strike? "We want better wages so we're striking for 24 hours!" Does that work? I'm honestly curious as to how effective it is. My theory is that they want a day off. In which case, it is a little bit brilliant and probably (more than) a little bit corrupt.
*Sigh* cultural differences...
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