The world is getting smaller...what a shame

I'm waiting for DJ to wake up.  He decided to hit the town last night at 11:00 (I remember those days) and I said he could sleep in until 9, so that we can make our 10:55 train to Venice.  As I sit here, I've read FB comments from some of you who have been to Italy with me in past years and have visited my lovely family in Tezze.  I hate to tell you this, but the world is getting so much smaller that some of the things we loved about travelling (the different styles of clothing, the way they shopped, the irritation with not having food on demand, etc...) has changed.  Now when sitting out at a restaurant, it was hard for me and DJ to pick out the Americans.  No more the gorgeous Florentine men in their suits and slicked back long hair.  Everyone is in blue jeans or shorts with sport shoes.  Not one man purse in sight either, although they still drape the sweaters over their backs.  I almost expected to see the David with a little back pack or at least a pair of Nikes.  A mall has opened in Bassano.  I told DJ that in his life time, this will mean the end of the down town shopping areas as everyone will go to the mall....for the air conditioning if nothing more.

This town is full of American students.  I don't mean that you see them mixed in with the Italians, spanish, and brits, but that you don't see anyone else.  When did it get so easy for kids to just come to Europe for a month?  These are not backpackers, but kids who are "studying abroad".  The sad thing is that the four we met had been in Florence for a month, yet had not been across the Arne River to see Florence from the Piazza de Michelangelo, one of the most famous views of the city.  Nor have they learned any Italian.

Some things have not changed.  The importance of family to my family in Tezze, lack of air conditioning (at least below 80 degrees), the lack of ice (although they don't give you a crazy look when you ask for it anymore), the crazy street numbering system in Florence (each street has two sets of house numbers--red is for businesses and blue is for homes..this means that number 52 Ghibellina may be on two different blocks of the same street), the beautiful architecture and the art.

Riding the train has lost some of its romance.  Gone are the 6 person little cabins replaced with airplane type seating.  If you are in the comfort class (aircondition set at 80 degrees, I think) you even have a "steward".  No longer does a European open her basket and pull out salami sandwiches for the family sharing your cabin.  Now the steward roams the aisle offering boxed lunches!

Gasoliine is still expensive.  We calculated it at about $9 a gallon, but the cars are much bigger.  they are not American-sized, but definitely bigger than the little Fiats of old that one could probably pick up and move to the side of the road if necesssary.  Now five people can pretty comfortably get into a car.  On our Vespa tour we had "vintage" vespas.  You see many more full size motorcycles here now.  I want a Vespa.  I wonder about Craig's list?  Do people in DC sell Vespas on Craig's List?

Mack and Mary

He just arose and ate the remainders of both of our dinners last night -- tagliatella ala panna and spaghetti with roast wild boar...then back to sleep for one hour.  Mama Mia!