Culture Observed

On our first night in Italy, we got our first experience of Italian hospitality at Hotel Villa San Pio in Rome. Hotel Villa San Pio is behind a gate along a brick wall.  It is a secure, environmentally conservative (room lights are turned on and off by your key card), and high class private residence. It has a beautiful entry that opens up to a courtyard patio garden where meals and beverages can be enjoyed. Upon arrival we were each served a flute glass of quality fruit juice on a platter and our bags were gently taken up the easily accessible elevator to our second floor room, which would be considered fourth floor in the United States.  We found this a common experience of each numbered floor representing two levels in a building. As this was to be our first night in Rome we were hoping for a quiet place to rest.  The room indeed, with the lights off, was dark and quiet and good for sleep. The only noise during our stay was the very occasional sound of water r...

When I first started traveling globally I made a decision to take a picture of a toilet in each country I visited. This may seem odd, but it really stood out to me how different and yet the same they could be. Toilets serve the same purpose whether they be a hole in the ground or a heated toilet with indoor plumbing. Yet, how they function and execute their purpose impacts the culture of a community - what people wear, how they interact, and even in some cases their health and fears. So, I arrive in Italy and discover that the toilets are quite nice. In some cases, even nicer than in the United States. Public Restroom In Italy the men's and women's restroom often occupies the same room. There is a door to the bathroom.  Upon entering that room there is a sink and an air hand dryer and then usually three smaller rooms. Each of these smaller rooms functions as a stall for the toilet with walls that go floor to ceiling and solid doors. Each is labeled usually with one b...

The themes that surprised us. On our recent vacation to Italy there were a few cultural themes that stood out. 1. Beatles Music.  It seemed as though everywhere we went the Beatles were playing. My husband even observed as we sat in a romantic patio of a restaurant that had we been eating at an Italian restaurant in the United States Italian music would be playing, but here in Italy it is the Beatles! You hear them on public transportation, in restaurants, and even sometimes they sneak up on you at museums. It seems that either the country has a love for the Beatles or they think tourists do. 2. Eatily & Hospitality - You look around and you see signs that read "Eatily." Be careful that if you ask advice about a restaurant from a local that you don't disagree with his or her opinion. The Italians are passionate about their food.  They joke that they send the diluted versions of it to the states and elsewhere and label it as "Italian" as they kee...