Let’s Go to Italy: Will We Like It?

We decided to take a week long trip to Italy just to see if this whole moving to Italy thing was what we can live with. Will we like it? Will it suck? Before we go jumping in with both feet, let's take a trip and see what it's all about.

We wanted to do some tourist 1.0 spots, but not go to the extra touristy spots, like Rome or Naples. We also decided to go in the 'low tourist' time, May. There were still lots of tourists, but more Italian and European tourists, versus American tourists.

We flew into Milan and rented a car for the week. Milan was a direct flight from Newark NJ and totally worth the easy drive to EWR. We parked off site, as it was less expensive, and we flew United.

We landed relatively early in the morning and knowing that we couldn't check into our apartment until 4pm, we decided to go to the Como Saturday market in the old part of the city, then go for a little drive around the lake and see some of the smaller towns.

The Como market was interesting, not what I was expecting, but that's where you are going to get your clothes, shoes and some prepared food. Como was beautiful and the lake was stunning. We didn't have a lot of interactions with people in the market because we were nervous that our small knowledge of Italian would only get us into trouble, versus actually helping us. I managed to order some french fries, aka patate fritte and not embarrass myself. I was pleased with the transaction. What I'll do is I'll watch and listen to a few customers before I go up and make my order so I know how to order. It's one thing to learn from an app, or from a class, but once you are in an actual situation to use the language, it's totally different.

Then we walked to the base of the lake and then around the other shopping area of Como. What a stunning old city with the cobblestone streets and the courtyard parking areas. This is where the hoy-paloy live - thank you. But really, it was stunning.

Then we decided that we had more time to drive around the lake. When I say these streets were narrow, I am not kidding. We - thankfully - had a small car, I wanted a Fiat 500, but I got a Hyundai I10 and that was fine with me. There is a 'major' road that runs around the entire lake, however, when I refer to the word 'major', I mean its two narrow lanes, one in either direction. There are some spots that you have to stop to let the other car through because the road is pinched by a building. I definitely gained some good driving skills on that drive around the lake. You really have to pay attention to your surroundings.

We stopped at - yet another - picturesque town and nabbed the smallest parking spot I have ever wrangled. That's another thing - you have to learn how to park like an Italian. Find a space and wedge yourself into it. It'll be fine. You have to drive like an Italian, and park like an Italian.

So at this other town, we walked a bit and found a waterfall and walking path, so we walked that and enjoyed the houses and gardens that were along the path. Then we found our way down to the piazza and got some Gelati. I was able to - kind of - order in Italian and not make a fool out of myself.

Towards the end of the day, we decided to make our way to the rental. When we got there, it was a bit of a scavenger hunt to find the apartment and the parking garage, but we did it! Tommy said it was an 'Escape the Outside' instead of an Escape Room.

I went to the grocery store - grocery stores should be a blog entry unto itself. So I got some groceries for dinner and made it back to the apartment, made dinner and collapsed in the bed at about 7pm. We had a big day and I was ready to be horizontal.

We learned so much from that trip. The biggest thing, because we drove a lot, is how to drive the toll roads - they are really great and not expensive. No road gators, call boxes every kilometer, exceptionally clean, great stop off restaurants the speed limit is 85mph (130 kph). Also, you better abide by the rules of the road, firstly, the left lane is for PASSING ONLY. If you are loitering in the left lane and not passing or going fast enough, you will get flashed AND tailgaited. Get over.

There are so many rules in Italy that sometimes make sense, sometimes don't make sense. I've learned that Italians like rules and generally are rule followers. We make fun of the Germans for having rules, but the Italians are not very different. When you aren't following the rules and an Italian sees that you are breaking the rules, they are just disappointed in you. Ohhh, daiiii. (complete with feigning hand gestures and the whole body collapsing). Respect the rules.

We made a decision to hammer down on learning Italian. We wanted to be able to at least get by the next time we went.

I learned that I don't like espresso, I want an American coffee, not an Americano. I mean espresso is fine, but I want something more substantial for my morning wake up.

I do love the grocery stores - I could spend hours in one, just poking around looking at the this and the that. I have not worked up the courage to order from a counter (butcher, fish, bread) as yet, but I'll get there.

I appreciate the Italian experience - we want more of it and the first trip really lit a fire under us to continue down the path that we thought we would want. We are still committed to do this crazy Italian Journey. Onward.