Category: Italy

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If being in Italy has taught me anything, it has taught me that food is the most important way to connect with others. From restaurants, to cooking, to market exploring, food is an essential part to daily lives – and that is not just to survive!

Restaurants

I could write a whole separate blog dedicated to the different restaurants in Florence. From pizza, to pasta, and even wild boar, they have it all. The first few weeks of living in Florence, I was trying many different restaurants. While it isn’t sustainable to eat out constantly, I am giving myself grace as I haven’t gotten my bearings yet and wanted to try it all out. From the different restaurants and experiences I have had, I have some advice for people in Florence looking for a bite to eat: don’t go to restaurants with employees standing outside trying to lure you into their restaurant – especially if they are speaking English. Although they seem very welcoming, which can be comforting in a foreign country, it is most always a trap. Another tip I have is to try to avoid restaurants that are in very populated areas. This can mean that they are located on a busy street, or near popular squares. More often than not, you are paying for the view rather than the food. My personal favorite pizza place, Fuoco Matto, was about a 15 minute walk from the Duomo. Lastly, try to avoid restaurants with pictures on their menus. This is to target tourists that don’t speak the language. The food and atmosphere may look appealing, but for a more authentic experience, go outside of your comfort zone.

Grocery Stores

Shopping in Florence has been my number one obstacle. I know it might sound crazy, but this was not something I had prepared for ahead of time. Before I talk about grocery stores, I need to touch on the fact that my kitchen in the apartment I’m staying in doesn’t have a lot of space. There are 8 girls that have to share 1 fridge, 1 mini fridge, and no cupboard space to store food. So that being said, I’ve had to be strategic with what I buy and whether or not I can store it. I have a basket in my room that I store non-perishables such as granola, bars, pasta, etc. I also have a shelf in the mini fridge I use to keep my yogurt, cheese, and eggs cold. I also put my bread in the mini fridge to help it last longer. My groceries typically consist of dried pasta, pasta sauce, yogurt, eggs, bread, peanut butter, jelly, and more low-budget but filling foods. For simple groceries I go to Conad City – a lot of varieties and options to choose from. For produce, I try to go to fruit stands or the central market. This will be a little more expensive, but as long as I am being mindful with the amount I purchase, I can justify it.

Adjusting

Back at home, I worked at Trader Joe’s during high school. I was able to know what I did and didn’t like from their single-serving options, and it was helpful at DU when I need a quick and easy meal. Not shocking, there is no Trader Joe’s in Florence. This has been very difficult as all of the comfortable food I am used to is out of reach. I have been learning to adjust and cook food I need, not just cooking for fun. This has also helped me stay conscious of the types of food I put into my body. There are hardly any fast food places in Florence, which has helped me to not spend my money on cheap food, but rather to cook myself. Food is a very important part of my life back home, I love the local diner that I go to with my mom. I can learn to appreciate food differently while also missing the comfort meals simultaneously.

a dopo,

Hadley

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Moving to a new city can be nerve-wracking, but moving to a new country can really throw someone for a loop. I was lucky enough to travel for a week beforehand with my family to see and explore the city, before I was left on my own. At first, it all felt surreal. It felt like a vacation, and that I was going to be in the comfort of my home again soon, with iced water and AC. When I saw my family leave on Tuesday, realization hit in, and it wasn’t comforting. The realization that I am in a new country, where I don’t speak the language, and I have to adjust to their ways of living, which is far from my own.

I enjoy a nice iced glass of water with my meals, and it was a shock when I had to pay 3 euros. Another shock was the lack of AC. Yes, I was aware of these two before traveling. The biggest shock was that there isn’t as much greenery as I am used to. I enjoy walking through the neighborhoods in Denver or Kansas City and admiring the nature, but I will have to walk a few miles to the closest park in Florence.

Although there are numerous culture shocks, I am slowly adjusting to my new way of life. I like to keep busy at Denver, with 3-4 classes a day plus 2 on-campus jobs and a sorority leadership position. The way of life here is a lot more laid-back. Shops even close during the day so employees can rest and recharge. This has been something I need to work on. During resting time, I read a book or go for a walk listening to my music. When the night time comes around, I call people from home and gain insight on what is happening there. I believe this way of life will help me slow down and appreciate more things that the world has to offer. I also have learned to set boundaries and say “no” if I don’t want to do something. I have to realize that I am here for four months and will have time to take everything in, as long as I go at my own pace.

Change can be scary, I will be the first person to admit to it. This first week here hasn’t been easy, leaving my family and comfort of my own home. But this is a great learning experience that I know I will miss the second it leaves me. I am hoping this will teach me to live in the moment, not wish for what we used to have what we will have in the future.

Alla prossima volta amici,

Hadley