American Mom in Italy.

Hi all back in the good ole USA. American Mom here in Milan Italy. Life here is so totally different than what I was used to back in Michigan. I was used to the country, and suburbs, and smaller city's. Now we are in a major metropolis. Here are some of the things I have observed about our new life thus far. 
 
#1. Sidewalks are not just for walking. People park their cars, motorcycles, scooters, and regular bikes on them. Watch out for moving vehicles, because they will not watch out for you.  Not so bad unless you have a small child with you. Like I do. 
 
#2. Buses are scary. OK, maybe it is just me. But they will go so fast, you have to know where your going and when to get off. And you better do it fast too. Because they give you about 30 seconds to get on or off.  I still have yet to go it alone. I dont know where anything is, so I only ride when DH is with me. Sad, i know. 
 
#3. When stopping for coffee, like so many Americans do. Don't expect to order your regular fancy coffee. Here it is a cafe' . Plain and simple, its an espresso. You can add warm milk. Or foam for a cappucino. Or even get a little liquer poured in.   AAHHH how I miss my Grande Soy Caramel Machiato with Whip Cream, extra caramel......Here I stick to the cappucino's. Or the iced espresso, with a little suger, ice, vanilla liquer, and shaken not stirred. mmmmmm
 
#4. I miss my American foods!!! Ranch dressing does not exist over here. Well not that I have found anyway. If you ask for ketchup, people will look at you like your an alien. Peanut butter. A regular thick bbq steak. mmm.  A bbq for that matter. They just dont have them, not like I am used to anyway.  
 
 #5. A clothes dryer. Most people do not use them. Instead you have a washer and a clothesline . Not so bad. I really do not mind. Except for some clothes getting a little stiff. I have yet to get an iron or ironing board. 
 
 
 
THings I like. Fresh stone baked pizza. mmm. Nutella. oh so good. The little old lady who lives next door. But is so nice and gives my daughter little random treats. Or bubble. lol. Even though we can not even undertand each other!. The sunlight. It stays bright all day long. Back in Michigan we were used to the weather changing more often. Walking. Yep I said it. To get anywhere since we do not own a car here, we have to walk. It gets my daughter good and tired just getting grocerys. 
 
These are just some of the things in daily life we are still getting used to. Just wanted to share.