Today's observances

1-Even the police cars don't slow down for you when you are in the crosswalk. Definitely walk, and cross, at your own risk!
2-For all the pizza, gelato, pastries etc that are sold on practically every block, it seems the majority of Italians are in good shape. I wonder if it is from all the walking they do, or from the lack of preservatives and other chemicals in most of their food?
3-During my walks, I often see waiters briskly walking down the streets with covered trays of food and cappuccinos, out to deliver these take out orders. I guess delivery 'drivers' are actually walkers here. Parking is an issue, so it makes sense for sure!
4-Could the cars and mopeds park any closer together? I often get stuck on a sidewalk or unable to get on a sidewalk because cars and mopeds are parked so close together, there is no room to squeeze my stroller between them to get on or off the sidewalk. During my walk today I had to turn around 3 different times, to retrace my steps on street blocks that I couldn't get off the sidewalk at the end of due to cars blocking me in.
5-I know I've mentioned this before, but everyone just dresses so nicely here! Even w/ the cobblestones, women, no matter young, middle aged, or elderly, are wearing fashionable boots or high heels to walk around in. I wonder how far they are going? Maybe they live on the block I see them shopping on, and that is why they can survive in those super cute, but likely uncomfortable, pumps on these streets? I haven't been fitting in very well on that front, as no matter what cute outfit I might have on, my Nike sneakers practically always complete the outfit. If any of the Italians are making fun of my sneaks, it's ok, because I can't understand them yet anyways. Hopefully, by the time I can understand them, I'll be wearing my boots!
6-Italians do seem to love babies, and usually at least 3 people per walk stick their finger in my stroller and stroke Evan's cheek. Belissimo!
7-I hoofed it up to the Lavandaria (Laundry-Mat) with our laundry piled on top of the stroller, and found out it was 50 Euro for 2 loads of wash...just to wash and dry. It's cheaper than the hotel, but that is still pretty pricey! I was proud of myself though since I was able to communicate my needs to the laundry lady, and I understood her telling me that it would be ready for pick up on Thursday. Yeah..I'm surviving some basic conversation exchanges.
8-Everyone walks arm in arm (men/women, woman/woman, man/man, old/young etc. Italians don't seem to have the 'personal space' issues so many of us have.
9-I bought the wrong size pampers again..I still haven't got the conversion from Kg to Lbs down yet, and end up w/ huge pampies for Evan. Well, at the rate he is growing, they'll fit him soon enough! We have a pediatric visit on Thursday, to meet his new doctor, so we'll get to find out then how much he weighs now.
10-I've seen 3 McDonalds and 1 Burger King since I got here (and that includes plenty of road trips within 1 hr radius of the city. "Fast" food just isn't as much of a way of life in this laid back culture. I've never been a big fast food fan, but I was tempted to stop at McDonalds this weekend, just for a taste of home.
11-Shopkeepers often want you to make smaller change for them. For example,at the Supermarcati yesterday, my items came to about 12,50 Euro, I gave them a 20 Euro bill and they wanted smaller, so they wouldn't have to give so much change. I didn't have smaller, so they had me wait until the next customer came to get change from him. This happens a lot.
12-I spent about 20 minutes in the milk section at the Supermarcati with my dictionary. Thank God I had it, or I would have ended up with full fat goat's milk for my cereal! Finally, I saw a bottle w/a cartoon picture of a cow on it, and so I bought that one for my honey nut cheerios (Nestle brand, vs. General Mills ones at home).
13-Strikes randomly happen. I was out for a walk yesterday and there was a busdriver strike. 2 busses were vacant in the middle of a main road, clogging traffic, for at least the 2 hours my walk took.
14-Being a new mom, regardless of what country , is the toughest job that you'll ever love. I'm still amazed by how little 'me' time I have. I'm still on page 70 of a simple James Patterson book that I started over a month ago. I bought a bottle of wine yesterday to enjoy a glass in the afternoon, and never found a second to uncork it. I shower with Evan in the bathroom in a bouncy, dry my hair while entertaining him, and do more singing and dancing each day to a truly appreciative audience...despite my tone deafness:)