Thursday

This morning I got up walked 20 feet from my front door to the neighborhood coffeebar/pastry/panini/colddrinks&gum/ shop for what so far as been the ritual morning cappichino. This time I also had this amazing light and flaky pastry that had a smear of nutella burried inside. Total cost: 1.70 euro. Then I walked 5 minutes to my italian class, and afterwards had an esspresso ( 70 cents) standing at the bar in the only way italians can have their morning caffine. Then after a wander through the market in our piaza during our break between classes, I bought an apple for 30 cents (mmm), and my housemate bought a tea kettle a few tables down. Then we had our history lecture and finished up around noon. Not a bad way to start the day, I must say. I think I could get used to this...

I'm now headed off to the cheap grocery store to get some staples. I love going to the grocery stores where I travel, even in the US. It is so interesting to see how different the layout is, how much space is allowed for people and goods, and all the different kinds of foods and their labels. Then it is always shocking to see something familar, but in such a different context (and often in minuature).