Grazie Italia

This is a video is of Piazza della Signoria in Florence at night.  Turn up the audio to here to tranquil music that a local musician was playing free for the square visitors. 

I hope I didn’t bore my readers with my 500 posts on Italia.  Spending one month in Italy I could really do more posts, but I am glad to share the highlights of our life changing trip.

Italy was full of surprises, more breath taking scenery than one can imagine, rich history and culture, and enormous plates of pasta.  Every city was an unexpected adventure for Steven and I.  Surprisingly, one solid month we got along wonderfully and even managed not to fight after spending 24/7 together in close quarters.  I feel very lucky to have found my partner in travel and life.  This certainly won’t be our last trip to Italy.  I can’t wait to go back! 

Here are few obnoxious generalizations about Italy that I found both lovely and shocking…

• Italy is extremely diverse with city life, mountains, coastal towns, and country side.
• Most Italians reminded me of most Koreans (I’m half Korean).  They are initially rude, loud, proud, and if they like you they’ll drink with you!  Most Italians exude this amazing self confidence and walk with their heads so high and talk with so much personality.
• Italy’s wine country is like Napa on steriods.  I drank some of the best wine I ever had in my life here and it was their house wine. (I also drank wine every single day!)
• I was surprised to see that most people in Italy smoke, drink a ton, don’t wear sunscreen, and don’t do regular exercise.  They might not be the healthiest people, but they seem to be some of the happiest I’ve seen and really enjoy their lives.
• High quality.  This sums up their FOOD, wine, buildings, furniture, designer goods, pretty much everything.  “Made in Italy” means high quality.  They really don’t make anything half ass there.