Grazie - Ciao!

That's how you say thank you and good-bye in Italian. 

I said/heard that at least 100 times while we were in Italy. 

Seriously, I was so used to saying that after buying something, or getting my food that I had to stop myself from saying it in Switzerland! 

That's one of the main things that stuck with me from our time in Italy, but here are a few more, some are quite entertaining.

Italy is very touristy! We heard hardly any Italian. A lot of English, some German, Asian languages, a bit of French, but hardly any Italian. In France we heard a lot of French and enjoyed watching the locals in the Metro or on the street. Italy, however, was a different story. The only locals were the ones working at cafes/stores which were also full of tourists. I felt like we did not get to see what real Italian life was like, but maybe you just need to be there longer.  

Only one place (and the food) felt really authentic:

The Boboli Gardens - my favorite spot in Florence. 

(Maybe because there are trees!)

It was absolutely lovely. There were a lot of couples there, tourists as well, but also locals. It was so peaceful, calm, and beautiful - NOT hectic and full like the streets below. Hence, Wanetta and I went there both days were were in Florence. It felt "real" here, if that makes any sense. 

Italy is colorful! That was really fun to see. Especially in Venice will all the masks and feathers and ribbons and glass and sparkles... It gives the old buildings a lot of energy. And everyone's clothes are bright and summery as well making the streets a moving rainbow! :) 

Which means that the streets are VERY crowded. 

The main street Wanetta and I walked down in Florence was always so packed! Even at 9 in the morning. Of course, that means you can't go very fast, hence I grudgingly had to have a few patience lessons. But in the end we always got where we wanted to go! 

What is that noise? 

So Italy has a lot of weird noises. First of all, we were a street away from the Duomo which had a bell tower. Now, usually bell towers ring on the hour, 6 rings for 6 o'clock. That makes sense. 

Not these ones. 

They rang at the weirdest times, and would not stop ringing. Seven in the morning, 11:45, we never heard them on the hour. So that was interesting. 

Then the sirens here, that is another odd noise, really nasely and loud, but the best and most entertaining sounds in Italy came from the 

ACCORDIONS.

One the streets, sure that's normal. At midnight? Not so normal. And of course they were right under our hotel as we were trying to sleep. 

Suddenly all of Italy's best folk music starts blasting into the night sky to amuse all of the late night diners. Keeping us awake. 

They sounded great though! 

The Conclusion

Italy was an adventure! Crazy and fun and ridiculous, but we survived. 

Would I go back?

Yes. But I'd go straight to the countryside, I already saw the cities. ;)