There’s an audible gasp when the price of my morning coffee is announced ($5.00) and the bill arrives for two martinis ($35, nuts included). Doing the grocery shopping causes small aneurysms – a 12oz container of strawberries and blueberries comes in at $7.99. I’m experiencing sticker shock on steroids.
Downtown office buildings have hi-tech elevators that run based on algorithms. Tap a computerized keypad and it scientifically figures out which car you should take to get to your floor most efficiently.
At commuter train platforms people form queues behind black squares that indicate where doors will line up. Folks wait for others to get off before boarding. I guess these people have never met a Signora at the Saturday morning market.
I’ve been seen standing dumbfounded in front of new-fangled ATMs, bus ticket machines and parking meters. I ask way too many questions and require loads of explanation. Suddenly I’m a stranger in my native country.
After nearly four years living in Italy, I’ve adapted to its culture and grown accustomed to its ketchup (less sugar), pastries (less sugar) and mayonnaise (less salt).
The other day a barista asked me if I wanted my cappuccino “wet or dry?”
Ten days and counting…Orvieto or bust.
Orvieto or Bust: 
What the heck is a wet cappucino?!
Ha, Arlene, I just said to him that I didn’t understand the question. A ‘wet’ cappucino, apparently, is one that has less foam (or the other way around?). I’m still confused. t
We went “home” last year after a 3+ years absence. We were quite amused by the U.S. Shocked at prices, awed by selection, in wonderment how things were logical, thrilled that people parked in parking spaces. And no one ever ran into my on the sidewalk. I missed my Italian coffee a lot.
Unfortunately, everyone is looking down on the iPhones so you get run into a lot on the street in San Francisco. 🙂
Hilarious, your “meeting the Signora at the market…” comment, I am Just back from Venice where two lovely such Signoras ran over my foot with their shopping trollies whilst barging ahead of me and the whole existing vaporetti queue..aah the divine right of age in a country that still respects it!
i agree with everything you said! so pricey in northern california. and everyone is always looking down. my daughter & i were in venice a couple of years ago – we enjoyed two rounds of prosecco (with complimentary potato chips – yum) sitting in a beautiful piazza for all of 12 euro! that would have been $60 in california. i love europe.
Hi Dominique,
Yeah, you’re French by blood and attitude. Stay that way! Go Europe! (it’s having a bit of an identity crisis at the moment). 😦 xxo toni
Hi Toni,
I had to chuckle, although we have never met, I recognize a kindred spirit when I see one and the added fact that while you were in SF while I was in Orvieto made it even better. What a lovely town! I often tell folks that as San Franciscans we are inured to sticker shock. I don’t know where I would have to go to find things high priced! It’s scary when Rome looks like a deal ; -}
I have a question for you. When we were walking out of Piazza Duome towards the N/W corner and out Via Duomo, we found a small round corner chapel that was just beautiful. All pinks and golds and such a beautiful ceiling. I couldn’t find the name of it. It was possibly on the s/e corner of Piazza Gualtiera or at Corso Cavour. We were making our way to the funicular. Do you have any idea of what it was called?
Wow, that’s sort of cool that we traded places during that time! Thanks for writing and letting me know I have a ‘sorella d’anima”. Now, about that church. I’m sort of stumped by the ’round’ part, but the only one that fits is Chiesa San Giuseppe which isn’t actually marked on the map of churches in town. Its door faces Via Duomo at the little piazzetta where Bistrotter’s restaurant is located. It’s not a big church, but I’ve been there during the feast of San Giuseppe (patron saint of Orvieto). I think it’s round inside but not outside, right? That’s my best guess. Thanks again for reaching out and please let me know the next time you’re planning to visit us. hugs. t
I think you are right! I snooped on Google and it looks like that little plaza is the one. I saw Bistrotters and the souvenir shop.
So lovely. A beautiful little baroque treasure like that just quietly sitting there.
Thanks so much!
Prego! t