First Impressions Count

Ciao Stranger,

As promised, today's blog will include lots of pictures. I know, you're welcome. First off, some updates. I got a local phone number with 2G worth of data, 400 minutes calling and 400 texts for 14 Euros (21 Canadian Dollars) each month. Can you say cheap? Say it with me..C-H-E-A-P. Why can't everything else be this affordable as well? Alright, before I go on a tangent...here's what I've noticed on the first real day out and about in Rome.

1. It's not even that cold out (~10 C) and everyone seems to be wearing parkas and hats.
2. The women aren't dressed as stylish as I first thought (maybe its just this neighbourhood that lacks fashion sense? Or maybe they lose it when it get's "cold" out?).
3. Men do not go about telling how beautiful you are as I had read about on various other blogs. They lie, they lie! (Or just not to the Asian girl. RUDE. But no, I didn't hear any compliments given to any females walking about).
4. Lots of florist shops, and apparently they're open 24/7.
5. People do what they want: rules are not meant to be followed but to be broken. Drive however you want, park wherever you like, just do whatever pleases you. 
   
6. I saw a total of 2 other Asians since I've been here. The first one was a Korean man running a small convenience store, the other was a straggler crossing the street who seemed to be a little surprised to see me.
7. Everyone seems to know a little English, so I can get on by just fine. And when I try to speak/learn Italian from them, they're all super friendly about it. 
8. When you see someone you know, you kiss them on the cheek, left cheek then right, regardless of the opposite's sex. Two guys? Completely normal, no homo.
9. I can't say this for all the Italians but from my room mates, the following are true. Breakfast is a glass of milk or coffee around 8-9 AM. Too little? Alright, maybe a biscuit or two, and that's it. Lunch is around 2-3 PM. It will be pasta, every single day. What rice is to China is pasta to Italy. I love pasta but everyday? Goodbye carb-free diet, you ain't happening any time soon.  Here's a picture of the pasta my room mate Ascenzo made for lunch yesterday. Home made pesto with sliced tomatoes. Simple ingredients, but holy shit, was it ever good! Italian restaurants of Vancouver, you got nothing on my room mates. For bragging rights, here's a picture of his delicious masterpiece.
   
   You Jelly? I know you are. And what do you do with the leftover sauce on your plate? Why you grab some bread and clean your unfinished sauce with it of course. As for dinner, it's usually around 8-9 PM and once again, the roomies gather together and hangout in the kitchen while one person cooks for the herd. Only thing is, I've never had dinner with them cause by 8 PM I'm about to pass out on my bed. Opps.

Below are a series of pictures from one of the many local supermarkets that can be found around my place. It's about the size of half a basketball court, in other words, very small. No Target or Costco here!

Fruit Section. No Pomelos. SAD FACE. 

Cheese Section.

MORE CHEESE

  Kinder Surprise, I was wondering how long it would take before I found you :)

 Deli & Meat Area

PASTA. Pick one. Go ahead, just pick one.

Alright, if you're still reading, then you're a dedicated individual and you deserve the right to see pictures of my new home.

The outside of the building.            

  My room! Oh la la indeed. Lots of open space with access to a terrace and a super comfortable bed. SOLD.