Sect and Contradiction in Italy

Is it only me or does it really come as a bewilderment to find out that 90 percent of Italy's population are Roman Catholic? Bluntly speaking, I did not see that coming because Italians don't look as pious people to me. With all their womanizing, smoking, drug fixation, and other vices, I believed that less than half of their population are Catholic. But the case is out out into the open. Not 50 but 90 percent are pious and ethical, which is a fact that I cannot fully believe just yet.

The reason I am saying this is because during my one-month tour in Italy, I slept with five gorgeous men, and three of them were married and have children. If those were not enough, two of them have excess mistresses aside from me, which I'm sure no one will be able to condone. Is it just unplanned that I happen to sleep with married and lousy men? I recognize the fact that I'm not as cultured and moral as most women are. But I dissent to admit that Italian men should be considered righteous and truthfully Catholics. I don't acknowledge that hard fact about Italy's so-called 'pious' people nor do I believe in the concept of coincidence which doesn't exist.

I realize it is unfair to generalize, but this is only observation based from experience.

A Real Sense of Trend Equals Healthy Living

I must say that Italy has a very modish set of locals. This assertion clearly shows in their apparels and lifestyle. Everywhere I tour, I notice people who are well-dressed, well-mannered, and poised as well.

Usually sticking to my early morning jogs, I would notice people who are fashionably dressed for their morning rituals as well. Their sweats, bags, shoes, and even their towels are matched in designs. Pastels and prime colors are the prevalent clothing colors I usually see. I even see some of them wearing fashion jewelries while doing their exercises. Indeed, personality may be playing a vital part in their culture, and this reality makes people conscious of their fashion statement and appearance.

I discover that not only are people modish in this country, but most of them are slender as well. It seems that they exercise really well to stay mighty and fit, because about 80 percent of the people I meet have toned muscles.

After a few days of observing Italys natives, I realize that fashion is not such a bad thing. Not only does it make the scenery nice to look at, but it makes the people feel confident about themselves.

Any Italian Who Communicates in English Here

I've realized that even if English is the universal language, Italians are still very devoted to their native tongue. Aside from the Italian language being the real language in Italy, there are other languages that people typically use. English is not one of them, but German comes next to the common Italian phrases, and French comes third. Slovene talk is not as popular as before and is only being used by Slovene-speaking minorities.

In my full stay in this country, I still have the hassle talking to people. If it is any treat, both parties (me and the locals, that is) tries really hard to organize thoughts and communicate with each other excellently.

Italian people really have a crisp emphasis that it was quite bothersome for foreigners, like me, to easily understand them. From the ordinary English word bottle, I am having so much difficulty trying to figure out what they are saying. I guess Italy didn't focus much on training its men on using the English language.

I also noted that the bulk of the English-speaking population dwells in the city and hangs out in restaurants and hotels where the tourists usually are. If you're dwelling in the suburbs, I pray for you all the luck in the world. I would highly endorse you bring along an Italian chum or guide to help you out.

Tasty Greens and Sauces in Italy

Salads in Italy are so tasty, and I didn't realize this until Anton and I went out earlier. Anton prearranged one for me when we were in this classy Italian restaurant. I protested a few minutes after nibbling my spicy salad. I said to Anton that I didn't like my salad to be spicy.

Honey, that's how it is here in Italy where salads are very flavorful and spicy, Anton told me cheerfully.

I didn't appreciate what I was nibbling. There were ingredients and spices in the salads that my taste buds couldn't appreciate. I was heating up all over, and I could just perceive the heat stretching to my eyes. So, I guzzled a tumbler filled with water.

I didn't want to order another salad that would turn out spicy, so I just sorted out parts of my spicy plate right there and then. I set aside the peppers, foreign vegetables, and spicy-looking nuts that I see. I requested for a honey-coated paste from the waiter and poured a cup to my dissected foodplate with tomatoes, cabbages, carrots, onions and potatoes.

Anton wasn't worried but surprised. He told me I was a shrewd girl who knows what she loves, so he let me and my dissected salad be.

Hat is a Must in Italian Image

I realized that the presence of hats is very prime in Italian fashion. From caps and bonnets to fishermans hats, almost everybody I observe have one. As they say, hats do not only supply comfort to our heads but is also a way of communicating ourselves to the crowd.

A fashion stylist I spoke with hours ago told me that a full-size hat is usually a shield from strangers or people whom you wouldn't want to bump into. Tiny hats, on the other hand, are for those who wanted to look charming. He definitely proposes that everyone should at least have a black hat in his or her collection. The aim for this is to make hats available, in case you don't have any hat that mixes well with your outfit. Really, the natural black hat will come in handy.

It is important that hats should match one's clothes, Anton, the fashion master said. You should be very thorough in matching these hats with your bags and attires, which will either ruin or compliment your outfit, he declared with poise, attitude, and glamour.

I presume I should understand how to live with hats. Heck, I don't even have one at home, so that's a extra guide for today. Reminder for myself: Should at least buy myself one of those black hats here in Italy!

Italy's Finest Things are Still Free of Charge

I would have to affirm that my much preferred Italian hotel indeed was the best place I have ever stayed in.

Just this morning, after serving my breakfast, the hotel chief called in and offered me a free one hour massage. I was excited with the offer and prepared myself for this free service. Then, after the rehabilitating massage session, the manager called in their crew to give me a free spa rehabilitation as well.

I was very overwhelmed with the hotels facility that I asked the manager why is it that I am entitled to so many freebies. The manager easily replied that they wanted me to have the excellent vacation in Italy. I believed at first that the chief was just trying to impress me. But just by watching the pleasant smile of the bubbly chief, I finally believed him.

After feeling all relaxed and refreshing, I was really inspired by the turn of events. The belief came to me that there must be really winsome people still existing in this world. I believe in some instances one would realize that the excellent things in life are still free.

The Italians Special Cinderella Age

Whenever I roam in parks or malls, I remark that shops close exactly at 12. The scenario resembles like a cinderella episode, only at noontime. I thought I was the only one to remark about it, but I heard my co-tourists whisper among themselves and question this kind of routine. We were all bedazzled about this type of Italian custom, or whatever you call it. Then, our tour guide noticed our bewildered looks and explained the purpose for this unusual routine in Italy.

The purpose for this is not what I thought. The real purpose was ordinary. Italians are popular for being the family-oriented class of people. Come twelve o'clock noon, people make it a duty to transport back home to have their meals with their beloved families. Even youngsters go home from school to devour lunch with their families. It's extraordinary to those people who are not used to this class of culture. But personally, I find this custom a good way to help promote good family relationships and values.

Unfortunately, it could be a problem sometimes, because some establishments go back to their operations at around 3 in the afternoon.

My Lovely Picnic Tryst with Formaggio and Paul

After my fascinating encounter with Sam last night, I thought that he was the one who stood knocking at my door at 5 o'clock in the morning. It was cute and tender Paul instead.

"I miss you," he said in his Italian innocent diction. Aside from his fine looks, I spotted the white basket he was carrying.

"Formaggio," he analyzed my mind and countered on the question. It felt fine that at least I recognized what Formaggio means. I didn't have to look all so absurd in front of this lovable, intelligent person in front of me.

"Would you like to have a picnic with me and taste the distinct formaggio I brought for you?" Paul managed and struggled to say in his strong boyish Italian accent.

Paul took me to a tranquil water in the suburbs. Then, he laid out the picnic blanket and set all the formaggio he had lifted along with him in his white basket. I was amused with the wide collection of cheese he brought. There's blue cheese, cream cheese, white cheese, cow cheese, goat cheese, garlic cheese, and processed cheese, although my favored kind is the extravagant cream cheese. It's chewy, supple, and good to the senses -- exactly like Paul.

My Primary Preference for Cheesy Butter Gelatio

Veteran Mr. Reynolds seems very kind to me. He offered me a basket of croutons last week, which I finished all by myself, in a matter of days. A few weeks have gone, he again supplied me one liter of Italian gelato.

"It's ice cream, my dear," he said to me when he perceived that puzzled look on my face.

"Thank you, but you didn't really have to," I responded in my courteous tone.

"I just wanted you to try what Italy is very popular for," the old chap merrily replied in his crisp Italian accent.

Good thing Mr. Reynold didn't notice that my heart was melting earlier than the Gelato he handed me. I just pray I could think of something to send him before I leave.

Anyway, he advised me that gelato has the cheesy butter mix. Cheesy butter is something new, but one thing I'm confident about is that it's rich in calories, which will really make me fat. But then, I opted to give it a shot, and voila! In 3 hours time, I consumed 1 liter of cheesy butter gelato. Add that to my list of favorite ice creams in Italy!