Mangiamo! Lets eat….a phrase I heard countless times throughout my trip to Florence, Italy. From the fresh insalata caprese to the red wine with every meal, I learned to enjoy the simplicity of the Italian lifestyle. All I could do was eat and eat and eat.

On many occasions, my large and extremely noisy family would pour into a small Panini shop for a delightful lunch after long days of touring. I enjoyed one Panini in particular with prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato, and pesto. Drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt, it was by far the most delectable sandwich I have ever tasted. The tiny shop seemed unimportant at first, but after reading some of the history, I was surprised to learn that it has served sandwiches longer than I have been alive. It is fascinating to know that someone 20 years ago had eaten that same sandwich in that very shop.

One day, we all decided to take a train to Sienna to see the Italian country-side. My uncle, a lover of mozzarella, bought numerous bags of fresh mozzarella for us to eat on the train. It was taken out of the bag of water that kept it fresh, and the consistency of it was as soft as butter. I became a mozzarella guru right then and there. Whether it was served on a sandwich, cut up with tomatoes, or cooked on a pizza, I couldn’t seem to get enough of it.

The cappuccinos were just like they had been described. The smooth, rich taste of freshly ground coffee with a foamy milk layer on top was the perfect drink for any hour of the day. The “bars” that served coffee were not only coffee shops, but full-stocked bars and usually served food as well. The Italians managed to have shops with alcohol, coffee, food, and sometimes gelato, making it very functional. I learned that the Italians drink cappuccinos in the morning, and by around 3 in the afternoon they switch to espresso. They come into the bar, order either an alcoholic drink or a coffee, and stand there and drink it. Usually the bartender sets out delicious snacks for his customers to eat while they drink their beverages. The way I see it, it’s as if the coffee shop owner invites guests into his “home” to drink coffee, and as a good host, he serves appetizers for his guests to eat while they enjoy their drinks. It was interesting to watch the various men and women come in, rattle off a drink order, and stand there socializing with the others while enjoying their refreshments. Such an Italian thing to do.

At night I went out with my older sister to see the night life of Florence, and on our way home one night she told me I hadn’t experienced Italy until I had eaten a kabob. At first, I thought it would be a skewer type thing with chicken and vegetables on it, but boy was I wrong. It turned out to be the most delicious Mexican food I had ever tasted. I heard my sister say “due kebob, per favore” and I stared in amazement as the man began making my kebob. They sliced the meat, spread it over the burrito shell, and added French fries, lettuce, onions and two special sauces to give it flavor and a spicy kick. It may sound unusual, but after such a long day, for me it felt like Beethoven’s fifth symphony in my mouth. It was so delicious that I ordered two more by the end of the night. It was a great way to end the day.

Although American food can be delicious, after my trip to Italy I have a new-found appreciation for fresh and simple cuisine. As I realize a trip to Italy would be a little extreme for most of you, I nonetheless encourage you to find an Italian restaurant, and try anything and everything on the menu. And with that I say Buona Sera…until next time readers!

photo credit: snackingonsunshine.com & http://www.bestourism.com/items/di/308?title=Ponte-Vecchio-in-Florence-Italy