A Million Mopeds, Zero Oatmeal (Five Oddities for Americans in Rome)

Even though we've only been living in Italy for a relatively short time, we've already noticed some aspects of life that are very different here than in the US.  As you've probably picked up on, some of these differences are absolutely amazing (the history of the city, the beautiful architecture, and the long and delicious dining experiences are just a few examples).  But, there are also a few things that we're a bit less thrilled about (or at least a bit perplexed by) too.  I thought I'd share some of them with you in this post.    
  
1.  Where's my breakfast?

I love breakfast.  In fact, it might even be my favorite meal of the day.  It's not so much that I need eggs and pancakes every morning (although, actually, that does sound pretty delicious right around now), but I do wake up starving, and need something hearty to hold me over until lunch.  However, most Italians wouldn't agree with me on that one.  For breakfast, the typical Italian will have a cappuccino (mind you that here a cappuccino is exclusively a morning drink, and that, unlike in the US, if you order one after noon people will look at you like you're crazy), and maybe (but only maybe) some sort of tiny pastry.  And that's it!  Somehow they manage not to collapse for the next several hours until they eat again (although lunch and dinner are, admittedly, quite large meals here).  I seriously don't know how they do it.

(not making oatmeal) in the community kitchen

Sadly, what this means for us is that the cereal aisle in any grocery store is totally lacking (occasionally missing altogether) and I can't find my beloved quick oats anywhere (I know, it's a tough life, right?!).  Heck, I'm so desperate that I'd even settle for steel cut oats (the kind that you have to actually boil in a pot), but those don't seem to exist either.  Of course, we haven't been starving.  We do have fruit and yogurt and bread (which we keep in our community kitchen), but, frankly, that's just not quite cutting it for me. Never fear, though:  I have great plans to return to Rome with a suitcase full of quick oats (and peanut butter) after visiting the US for Christmas, so this oatmeal drought won't last forever!

2.  Is that guy/gal on a moped seriously talking on the phone/wearing three inch heels/toting around (several) children?

Mopeds are everywhere in Rome and, yes, I really do see all of these things on a fairly regular basis.  The children actually didn't surprise me, though, since, when I was in Naples ten years ago, I literally saw a family of 4, plus the family dog, crammed onto a tiny moped.  Still, it makes me nervous every time I see a little kid hanging onto the back of one (and it makes me even more nervous that the kid never seems too concerned about holding on tightly).  Likewise, the shoes thing didn't throw me off much, either, since fashion at all costs is much more important here than in most parts of the US. (Sadly for me, you'd never catch an Italian out on the town in flip flops!)  I do, however, find the talking on cell phones to be especially weird.  Normally, they have the phone crammed into their helmet, and so, if you don't look closely enough it just looks like they're screaming to themselves as they drive  down the street.  (Incidentally, Italians often sound like they're screaming when they're talking- even if they're saying something nice, but, I'm sure we'll touch on this topic in some other post.)  At least they are wearing those helmets, though, so I trust their heads will be adequately protected when they inevitably get distracted and crash.

3.  How can I cross the street without getting hit by the previously mentioned heel wearing, cell phone talking, children totting woman on a moped?  

For those of you who know me well, three words you would probably never use to describe me are decisive, spontaneous, and overly confident.  In the US this is just fine.  I like to think it just means that I'm a very organized, non-obnoxious person.  Unfortunately, though, not having these traits is more of a problem for me here, since they are the very three qualities you need to successfully cross the street in Rome. 

Basically, street crossing works like this:  Occasionally you will find traffic lights, but usually you have- at best- just a marked pedestrian crossing in the road (and sometimes not even that).  However, cars certainly do not stop for people just standing at or near the crossings like they do (or at least are supposed to do) back in the States.  Instead, if you want to cross, you must just confidently step into the street and immediately proceed to the other side, maintaining a quick and steady pace.  If you show the slightest bit of hesitation (by slowing down, stopping, or (god forbid) turning back in a panic), all hell breaks loose (you'll be honked at, yelled at, and I haven't ruled out the possibility that the mafia might come after you).  So why in the world would you hesitate, you ask?  Because even when you follow these instructions perfectly, the cars don't stop- or even really brake!  They just take their foot off the gas the tiniest bit so that they will maybe be only a foot away from you at the point where you meet (rather than mowing over you).  And so, I don't know about you, but when I see a moving car heading straight for me, my natural reaction is to panic!

But not to worry, I have been practicing, and do think that I'm starting to get the hang of it.  Of course, my other favorite trick is to slow down/speed up as I'm approaching a street so that I can time my crossing with someone else's, and then position myself on the other side of the car from them so that I have my very own human shield!  See?  My planning ways are good for something, I guess!

4.  Why is EVERYONE making out?

Neighborhood make out spot

Anyone who has traveled in Europe has probably noticed that Europeans are a bit more, uh.... expressive than Americans when it comes to public displays of affection.  But, I swear, the Italians take this attitude to a whole other level!  Oftentimes, when walking around the city (especially if I'm anywhere near a park or a monument or a fountain (especially the fountains)), I feel like I've mistakenly walked into some sort of college frat party.  Except that no one is drunk.  And the couples aren't all young.  And it's often the middle of the day.  I find this strange.  But then again, maybe I'm just a "prudish American" who needs to lighten up... 

 5.  Why are the stores never open?  

I tell you, Italians really have the right attitude about working, as they seem to only do it when they feel like it.  In the afternoon (from about 2:30 to 4:30) many of the stores (especially smaller ones) are closed for an afternoon siesta.  This is a bit annoying for us, since that's about the time that Italian class and lunch are over and when we have a break in the day to run some errands.  But really, who am I to begrudge the tradition of the afternoon nap?!  Many things are also closed on Sundays, and, of course, even if a store says it's going to be open on a certain date or time, you can never entirely count on that.  All of this means that it can be a bit difficult to get things that you need when you need them.  (Tom and I still lack Italian cell phones for this very reason, although we haven't really needed them much yet anyway), but if you're willing to be a bit flexible, things always work out.  And, if not, you can always drown your failed shopping sorrows in a giant bowl of gelato (thankfully that's one thing you can ALWAYS find around here, day or night!)

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Tues. Sept. 25:  Partly sunny and warm (although I'm a bit sick and so was roasting all day!)