Now for some observations on Italy...

Okay - so we have survived a few more days here in Italia... and we are trying to think more Italian ... the issue is that things are a little different ... so here are some observations to date ...

• We are NOT europeans. We are nothing like Europeans - in looks, style, or manners. We would never stare at someone whilst insulting them behind their backs. No we are NOT americans even though we speak english with a strange accent. An apology would be nice!
  
• NZ is far more advanced than we ever thought. In NZ you can buy groceries any day of the week - even any hour of the day. NOT SO in Italy. Here EVERYTHING closes on Sunday - all the way through to 2pm on Monday. OMG!!!!!! This would not have been an issue had we known about it and had we not been trying to buy groceries for the other two families arriving at 6.30am Monday morning.
  
• Switzerland is also closed on Sunday. We rang to check. At least they answered the phone.
• Hotel rooms come with furniture - and towels. That's all. No plates, kettle, pots, cutlery ...
  
• Houses have at least as many bathrooms as they have bedrooms. There is a bidet in every bathroom. The cleaners must think us very grubby as ours is never used.
• Traffic lights, road signs and driving laws are simply for guidance.
  
• The shortest period in time is the gap between the lights turning green and the first horn sounding.
• The country is very beautiful. It is very green and many of the towns are filled with trees lining the streets.
• There are as many friendly people as not - especially once they realise we are from Nuova Zelanda. They all go "Ahhh" and smile.
• Driving on the right hand side of the road is easy once you get used to "easy left (turn), hard right (turn)" in order to keep to the correct side of the road.
• The wine is cheap. VERY cheap. €3 for 5 litres - for cooking.
• Bubbly wine sealed with a cork and a string needs a corkscrew to open it. No amount of shaking the bottle will free the cork! Some day I may post the video!!

We still have access to the internet only through the single computer in the reception of the hotel. I do have a new Italian cell phone number and will forward it to all shortly.

Also apologies to those I text to advise (about my new number) at 5.30pm local time. I forgot it was 3.30am NZ time. I'll let the rest of you know my number at a more civilised hour.