Some things that are better in Italy……….(Part 2)

11. Parallel parking: Parking spots are at a premium in Italy. It’s quite similar to the parking situation in New York City. Fortunately, most of the motor vehicles in Italy are considerably smaller than the behemoths that Americans drive. There are two reasons: fuel prices, which are 3 to 4 times the cost in the USA, and the dearth of parking spots. It’s not uncommon to see a SmartCar (you know, those little clown cars that are rarely seen in the States but are found everywhere in Italy) wedged between two other cars in a perpendicular orientation. Italians have an uncanny ability to wedge a vehicle into a parking spot with mere centimeters to spare.

There was about a two-inch gap between the front and back bumpers of this car, and this distance was quite generous, by Italian standards! How the driver was able to exit this spot without crushing a bumper is beyond my comprehension.

12. Outdoor markets: Farmers’ Markets have become quite popular in the States in the past decade. But your average American farmer’s market pales in comparison to the Italian markets. Every city and village has an outdoor market at least once a week and up to six times a week in the larger cities. Not only can you purchase fruits and vegetables, cheese, fish and meat, but most Italian outdoor markets also sell household supplies, shoes, inexpensive clothing, table linens and (probably pirated) CDs and DVDs. It also provides a great opportunity to get a “feel” for the town, a great place to people watch, and a great spot to purchase and sample locally produced food.

13. Italian version of “fast food”, also known as take away: As a rule, Italians don’t “do” take-out food. You don’t see people walking on the streets drinking cups of coffee or munching on a sandwich. Pretty much the only acceptable thing for Italians to eat while strolling is a gelato. But there are a couple of other types of street food – pizza al taglio (by the square slice) and supplì (fried and breaded balls of rice with a bit of tomato sauce) in Rome and a cuoppo di pesce (fried fish/calamari) here in Salerno.

Every part of Italy has its own typical street food. This quite different than the cookie-cutter fast food experience in the States that is dominated by the Golden Arches. Sure, one can find the occasional McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, or KFC in Europe, but the food is way more expensive than in the States and is primarily frequented primarily by young people.

14. Handicapped parking signs: They are a bit sardonic but certainly make their point!