fun little facts

So I always like blogs where people tell you the little things about a place or what they're doing... it's always more fun. So, some fun little facts about Italy and our trip.

When you get coffee in Rome, it is at bars. You order at the cash register at the front (I have been getting un cappuccino and un cornetto, which is like a croissant). You put the euro in this little bowl to pay and then they put the change and the receipt in the bowl and you take it. I keep forgetting to put the money in the bowl and just hand it to the barista and it's a little awkward. After that, you take the little receipt up to the bar and put it down on the little bar and say ciao (which is kind of a catch all greeting or goodbye) or buongiorno (good morning) to the barista up there. I think they're starting to recognize us at the cafe by our hostel. It's normal to just knock back the coffee at the bar, but I've been taking mine back to a table with my computer or my bible.

Some things I can say in (badly pronounced) Italian now (not sure if I'm spelling most of it right):
Grazie: thank you. but you have to say the e at the end so it's like grat-zee-eh. I have already accidentally said arigatou (Japanese thank you) to the receptionist at the hostel. haha
Come ti chami: what is your name. You say it like com-ay tee key-ah-mee
Prego: you're welcome
Scuzi: excuse me. important for crowded places
Permisso: another excuse me but more like move out of my way I'm coming through. VERY important for getting off a crowded bus or metro at your stop.

It is against the rules in most American football leagues in Italy to have an American on your team. Without knowing it, one of the full time staff here was playing on a team illegally because his teammates made him a fake id to get him into the league.

My friend Davide jumped off the Wedding cake building (http://tinyurl.com/2wbgqa7) into little pools and swam in the Trevi fountain when Italy won the last world cup. He doesn't think they'll get even to the semi-finals this year.

I have to go back to my hostel now. We're buying lunch at the grocery and eating it on the roof, then going down to the Spanish steps to shop. I put a few pictures up on facebook... check them out!