I had a perception about Italy that held strong in our 1st few days at Naples and the Amalfi Coast . I’ve now seen a whole lot more that is starting to change my narrative. It’s not always crazy busy , disorganised and in semi disrepair . There are places that are strikingly beautiful , carefully curated and very modern whilst preserving buildings and structures that are hundreds and at times thousands of years old . Monopli and Matera in Puglia are a perfect example
We’ve done a lot already . There’s countless churches that are truly incredible buildings , swam in the Mediterranean, eaten incredible food . We’ve been transfixed by the beauty of Lake Como , the massive scale and insanity of the Duomo in Milan and now Rome that I’ll save for later , as there is just too much to squeeze in one paragraph. I’ve found the way Italians do things just as interesting
I don’t want to sound like a dog on a bone and maybe this is a European and American thing . Actually a rest of the world thing …but where are the public toilets ? Why so few , especially in places that are heavily reliant on tourism ? Buckle yourself up .More to the point , buckle your bladder up . I get it . It’s heavily populated and why invest public money on stuff that never gets an Insta shot but geezus Christ when you’re walking for hours on end , often in guided tours and in public facilities 2 cubicles per 10 thousand people is just not gonna cut it . I feel sorry for the women who were actually forced to line up for the mens toilets yesterday only to be confronted by toilets with no seats covered in urine . I’m not exaggerating. And often to pay for the privelage is just a little too much . I know you can use the loo in the cafe you’ve just had lunch or a drink in but that’s the point , you’ve just consumed and now your off visiting sites for the next few hours . All I’m saying is be prepared .
The junk food : where is it ? Love this about Italy . Candy wrappers , chip packets and other rubbish are just not seen . No one seems to eat it and you definitely don’t see it advertised or prominently displayed .The kids eat the pastries that are at every corner store and why wouldn’t you as they are divine and so cheap . There is very few if any fast food outlets . You’ll find McDonalds but the stores are understated and from the facade are just like any other store . I love this . They can’t dominate the market or the streetscape and I never saw a burger or McDonalds wrapper on the street . There’s so much good food at reasonable prices why would you seriously eat there ? The kids look so good . Their skin , often blemish free . The Italian culture of loving good food is paying off . Then there’s the size of the Italians . They are thinner and as I said before they have great pride in their look and fashion all the way down to young children . There a dark side though .
It’s a ciggy lovers dream here . The Italians love a smoke and almost at any age . As Emma and I cut through traffic after a big day at the Colloseum and ruins we got swamped by a throng of kids pouring out of school . It was like walking through a forest fire burn off with many of the kids gasping away from cigarettes and vapes . There were several kids who didn’t even look as if they had hit puberty but no matter a cigarette will still lend you kudos . I think they must light up at the locker area and by the time the school doors opened it was as if the joint was on fire . In Italy you have to take it in your stride as passive smoking is a by product of walking the streets . Maybe this is why they’re thinner .
For now kiddies I’ll leave it there . In 2 weeks I’ve put 3 kilograms on . I might just go down and grab a box of durries and start my diet
aussiehowieinla 