05
Differences in Food
One of the greatest differences has been the food. Italy is known around the world for the quality of the food. Even if I’m Italian, I reckon American food is not so bad. It’s just a little bit fatty, and there are some flavor enhancers and preservatives that are forbidden in Europe. But all in all, it’s edible. I would like to say a few things on the special funnel cake. No matter how fatty it is, it’s amazingly delicious, like most of the Italian food. When I say to American people that I’m Italian, automatically they say, “Pizza, pasta, pesto.” There is much more: Sicilian arancini and cannoli, the Roman “pici, cacio e pepe,” canederli from Trentino, etc. Italian food has developed through centuries of tradition, and it is a big part of the culture.
Before coming here, I knew that the food would have been a big issue for me because, generally, America is associated with fast food, high caloric food, junk food, etc. I can’t deny my surprising when my host mum said, “I’m going to pay for you all the food that you need except for junk food. I don’t want it in the house!” I sighed in relief, but it lasted a very few days. Indeed, the first day she cooked hardboiled egg, the second day eggs with bacon, the third scrambled eggs etc. I thought I’m going to die for “overdose” of eggs. I could see eggs even in my dreams, so gently I asked, “Do you mind if I don’t eat egg for a little while?” Unfortunately for me, she is a very good chef as I can see on the scale!
American People
Generally, American people are considered ignorant, but I want to say in defense of them that they are very curious and interested in learning new things; in fact, I was overwhelmed by many questions.
At some of them I was surprised, however. For example, one high school student asked, “What is the capital city of Europe?” Another asked, “What kind of bathrooms are there in Italy?” I was also a little shocked with this statement: “I know that Australia is nearby Italy. Have you ever been there?” I kindly explained the truth to all of these, smiling along the way.
To know people is the best part of the experience because American people are friendly, nice, and hospitable. America is a multiethnic and multicultural country. I only have to look at my high school. North High School is a little world because there are students that belong to different ethnicities and make the school colorful.
I have to point out that there is still a little bit of work to do before achieving a perfect relationship between the different ethnicities. Groups still feel a little bit divided. But to see young people from many parts of the world sitting around the same table and interacting spontaneously makes me say, “Yes, freedom is in the air.”
VS
First time
at the
Pizza Ranch
American Friends are
Friendly
Cheerful
Helpful
They are great!!!
First TP- ing:
I even didn't know of its existence!
5