A little over two years ago I left to live in Italy for four months with 26 kids from my school that I didn’t know at all. We lived in an extremely rural area in the mountains of Abruzzo for four weeks before we moved to Rome and started the school year in October. We also took trips to the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, and Northern Italy. Here is a list of a couple of things that I do and don’t miss about living there:
No Fitted Sheets
Like I know that they’re a pain to get on a bed, but it’s really worth it in comparison to unfitted sheets just being tucked under the mattress and constantly coming undone. I couldn’t tell you why they didn’t use them every place I traveled to.
No Pizza Cutters
Although almost all food portions in Italy are smaller than you would get at an Olive Garden when it comes to pizza, you get the whole thing and it isn’t cut. This is a very stupid thing to be annoyed with, but when you’re starving, nothing is more irritating than having to cut each slice with a fork and knife.
Image from Nonna Box
No Drive-Thrus
Probably the most American complaint ever, but just once every couple weeks I wanted to be able to grab some food from a restaurant in my pajamas at 1 am with no shame. Fast-casual is basically nonexistent so you’re either going to be cooking for yourself or sitting down for a full 2-3 hour meal.
1€ Cappuccinos
This was by far one of my favorite things. Being able to buy a coffee with a single coin and drink it standing at a bar in less than 5 mins. Also, I’m like 99% sure I’m lactose intolerant, but that Italian dairy never did me wrong.
Image from Wallpaper Stream
Crossing the Street Like I’m Not Afraid to Die
I’ve worked downtown Chicago a couple of times at this point and pride myself in being a great walker and street crosser, but they don’t have that many crosswalks in Rome, and the Romans have the biggest balls when it comes to crossing the street. I miss that energy.
The Bread
I know I said that the cappuccinos were one of my favorite things, but the bread was definitely my favorite thing. I ate two toasted pieces with olive oil every single day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for three months. However, trying to slice that loaf the second day was like trying to saw a hockey puck. That Italian crust doesn’t mess around.