Italian odity: Keys, le chiave

Keys.

Well not as you know it, that's for sure. In England we're used to a modest key, and after meeting one key you've pretty much met them all, I know you can get some funky coloured ones now, but my point it they work the same: short, easy to handle, some would even say ergonomic! Well here in Italy The Key is something to behold!

I mean look at it! It's pretty hilarious really, because only the tip of that thing goes in the lock. And the excessively long neck leads to the, comparatively tiny, area where your forefinger and thumb are needed to apply the pressure necessary to turn the darn thing. Honestly I find it difficult opening doors here!

Andy waited by the door once, refusing to take over until 'I've learnt how to do it!'. But it's a simple matter of thumb strength and I have none! It's a lot like trying to open the milk bottle when instead of the cap turning as your hand moves, it grates through your skin, not budging an inch. It still peterbs me how grannies open those things! Actually, I forgot I did find out how: I bought this nifty devise that does it for you- life saver!

Perhaps it's that the more exclusive your apartment, the bigger the key? Maybe that's why ours is like, ENORMOUS!! No I don't think that's true. I could spread the rumour though?! Hmmm.

Anyway a little Italian lesson for you, Le chiave means: 'keys' in Italian & Ho le chiave enorme means: 'I've got massive keys' (in case any of you do. Nothing like mine though, I bet!!)!

But I guess it does go to show that, the key to anything in life may not take a familiar form, but it works all the same!

Ce Vediamo, Ciao x

I heart Italians

It has been brought to my attention that I may sound as if I am making fun of the Italians in my posts. However this really isn't that case. I love Italians. My humor is really a vehicle to feel more comfortable with my current 'alien' status, as the customs that make Italy such a fantastic place are alien to me right now! But there are many things I have become very fond of. For instance Italians are so eager to talk to you, they will speak with utter enthusiasm even if they can see you aren't understanding a single word they are saying! Now this may sound as though it would be frustrating but I find it more comforting as their efforts make me feel welcome and that feels nice. 

Above all things the Italians are without a shadow of a doubt very friendly and seemingly accepting. And at the moment we seem very different from one another but soon I think these little differences won't mean so much. Anyway that is a little more complex than I wanted to go into right now, I just wanted to let everyone know that I am Italians NO-1 fan.  Now I'm off to find out where the fireworks are coming from, I tell you there is always something going on here: Another thing I love about Italians- boy do Italians know how to party - frequently but in a  sophisticated fashion! Can't wait to see the Venice Carnival in Feb!

Oh and just to let you know, the script is coming along, I've had the last few days just playing with ideas as some real life history has added some fantastic pieces to the story but head down and pen to paper next week! 

Shopping in Italy

Shopping in Treviso is another interesting phenomena. Not only because of their secular natured department stores (as I've mentioned before) but for several reasons. Today lets talk Fashion must-haves!

The Shopping List

There are a few keys items to a shopping list if you are to fit in as a Treivisian! One must have a pair of black lens sunglasses. These are a particular must and a practical requirement if one is to flash a wor

thy Italian stare here and there. It's an art that has to be perfected. I advise beginning your attempts behind the safety of sunnies. Italians manage to stare at you without any obvious message behind their eyes (apart from Security guards that think you're steeling from your shop!).  In the streets of Treviso however they manage to stare at you as if they don't know what it is they're looking at, unsure how to react and almost non-judgmental. Actually no, I take that back. It's totally judgmental, they'r

e just blumming good at not showing it! But staring really is something you have to get used to if you don't want to be the new  girl at work always accusing all her colleagues of sexual harassment. In Italy a bum is to be looked at and admired,  pretty much like everything else really. Try walking through the Piazza with a little baby, like bees to honey I tell you!

If we move down the body to the neck there is once again an item of must have fashion, that lurks here. One has to have a piece of fur darling! Whether you wea

r it round your neck of stuck on your head - it's a necessity. I've opted for a fairly normal furry scarf type number. It has a subtlety about it, more than can be said for the women I have spotted round town with a near alive looking animal thrown over their shoulders, paws gently bouncing off their bosoms as they step! 

Now if we move to the torso we can find the essential down or fur coat. There seems to be an age limit on the fur coats though, 50 and up as far as I have seen! Now I am beginning to believe this item's necessity has b

een less to do with fashion and more to do with the arctic weather Northern Italy enjoys producing this time of year! This really is the only thing that allows you to take a walk around the town without having to stop at every cafe you see along the way and subsequently suffering caffeine induced verbal diarrhea. Although try it once - it's a hoot!

And finally the feet. The feet, ankles and calves have to be protected in what can only be described as works of art - Italian leather boots! My favourite item, well apart from the coat (I hate the cold and it's really been a life saver!). Sadly I arrived in Italy with a pair of new cl

arks boots and so can't justify buying some Italian beauties just yet. Hence I am wearing the boots every chance I get, wear the little buggers out quickly!

Oh and one final tip, don't wear a tracksuit to go shopping in, over here - only in the gym. Just an FYI so you can avoid the "You SO don't have enough money to buy anything here " looks:

 Ciao x

  

Illy vs Hausbrandt

The coffee clubs

The coffee clubs are a very interesting phenomena to watch in Italian cafes. If you were to be a fly on the wall in any Treviso cafe the influx of patrons in a day resembles the actions of a tide. As water rushes in for a split second and disappears again as quickly as it came in. If one Italian enters the cafe for a shot of caffeine, eight more, usually pairs of fur coats or suits will inevitably follow. The waitress will be run off her feet for approximately 2 minutes before everyone is served, thrown back their macchiatos, placed some change on the tray and out the door with a "ciao regazzi".

It is a fascinating natural custom. We English, perhaps all foreigners, of course get a look,

'Ah foreigners, they know a'nothing about how a'take a coffee in Italy!', as we bizarrely choose to savour our coffee experience rather than treat it as if it were a vital injection imperative in order to stay vertical!

There are so many things we English don't understand about the way cafes and coffee works in Italy -  like the Cappuccino incident - I foolishly ordered a cappuccino after midday! The waitress laughed authoritatively at me when I placed my order in pigeon Italian. She wasn't laughing at my Italian (my accent's pretty hot!) as I later was told by a local. They explained to me that a cappuccino is only a morning beverage and not to be had in the afternoon.

"Ordering a cappuccino after midday, oh you English, serious. You're crazy!" Oh that we are. what was I thinking!

My observations have led me to a conclusion that the many cafes in Treviso have patrons that are loyal to a cafe foremost for the brand of coffee. Cafes are divided, as far as I can tell so far, into the Illys, LavAzzas and Hausbrandts. Now before any Italian is to choose what might be named 'a local', the brand of coffee must be considered over and above location. For instance I found our local is not our local because it's an Illy and I'm not in the Illy club but a LavAzza kinda gal (although I can be convinced to go Hausbrandt but only because my gym's next to one and a post workout shot is becoming a tradition!).

One thing seemingly unites all cafe clubs and that is chocolate. Lindt is the favorite and that is a fact. Oh but we'll talk more about chocolate another time, I've not done enough research into that yet!!!!

Ciao x

It's 2009! As it is the new year I have chosen some select resolutions for the coming months. The first, which may be obvious, is to write more and finish a calling card script by mid 2009. Others include swearing less, if anything I am trying to avoid incidents that involve angry parents flashing me glares whilst holding their hands over their toddler's ears. I shamefully find myself opting for a profanity rather than an apt, carefully chosen adjective. It's pure laziness and a pretty embarrassing slip! I am also going to begin to be very serious about successfully living in 'the now'. After many conversations with Andy and family members it is clearly an imperative facet to healthy living!

And Talking of healthy living I am on my way to the gym..........