Thoughts on being in Italy

If you want crazy detailed “blow by blow” accounts of our travels, go read Nicole’s blog. This will be more of my general thoughts on traveling in Europe, Italy specifically, things we saw while traveling, and in general my impressions.

We started our trip in Milan, with 360|Flex Europe. For a first time event, it went about as expected. Money wise, we lost money, community wise, we kicked ass. The European community is great, with only a few notable exceptions.

After 360|Flex, we had a day to cruise around and see some sights. We also had a few days before hand, so by the time we boarded our train, we had seen what we wanted to see.

So to start, traveling in Europe.

The train is your friend. 1st Class all the way!! 2nd class is ok for the short hop trips, but if you’re going any distance, go 1st class. “1st class” is not really a standard, but on the EuroStar trains, it’s nice. Even power plugs for each seat.

TrenItalia is a bit less, “1st Class” with larger 6 person “rooms” that a sorta cramped. The EuroStar trains are 4 person sections on one side, with a 2 seat section on the other. A bit nicer. Our train from Venice to Florence even had a little beverage service, with little cookies, free!.

I’m writing this right now on the train from Florence to Rome (Our last stop). This train is a bit older I’m thinking, it’s got power, but older looking appointments, who knows though.

Dressing like an American

‘they’ say it’s not advised, I call bullshit.
 Italians don’t seem to mind dressing like us, some of them

• They seem to fit into two categories.
• “Normal” dressing. ie fairly non descript clothes, lacking (mostly) logos
• “Ultra stereotypical” dressing. ie leather, buckles, boots, tight fitting, and in some cases, a logo on every possible square inch that isn’t covered by a rip or tear. Italians in this group seem to think they’re all racing for Pirelli.
• The 80’s called and said Italy needs to stop biting the style. I’m by no means a fashionista, but really!? Floppy boots that come up past the ankle? bangly everything, bracelets, belts, wastebands, you name it.
• Nike apparently doesn’t fit into the “no logo” thing. If it has a Nike swoosh, Italians will wear it.
  

Kids are whack

No matter what country or continent they hail from, they suck. In Venice I saw some french kids tossing trash all around St. Mark’s Square. Done with Gilato, toss your napkin, why not. In Florence, it was loud, obnoxious Italian children screaming from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Sorry France, you suck

The French have seriously earned every image that exists about them. I firmly believe stereotypes are usually pretty accurate, unflattering, but accurate. In the case of the French, WAY accurate. Rude, inconsiderate, self absorbed, yeah more or less. Sorta sad. I'm sure you're all that in your own world, but a little common courtesy to fellow sidewalk walkers, crosswalk crossers, and fellow gawking tourists. You ain't all that! Get over yourself.

I've caught up, and this part is written while hanging in our hotel room for a bit. We did a Vatican tour (skip the tour, get up early, do it yourself), and have dinner plans with a developer colleague from 360|Flex, so we're relaxing a bit.

This has been a truly fn trip, but I'm getting anxious for our own house, bed, the dogs, etc. Europe is nice and all but I miss the US of A.