Love at Third Sight

Landing in Rome was what landing in Beirut must be like. There were soldiers everywhere - I would later find out they are called Carabanieri - and they all had Ingram sub-machine guns slung over their shoulders.

I wasn't sure of much after my 12-hour flight and a mean case of jet-lag amplified by about nine of those airplane bottles of Maker's Mark whiskey, but I was sure of one thing. Well, one thing other than the fact that lots of little bottles make a big bottle.

I wanted out of the Rome airport, right then. If and when you land in Rome, do not be alarmed by the gun-toters. It is perfectly normal and there is not an international incident.

No one apprised me of that little bit of helpful travel information, and I was scared. I wanted my mama! To make matters worse, the woman who was supposed to meet me at the airport, Monica Giovannini, was no where to be found. I was half-drunk, scared, spoke no Italian, and didn't know a soul.

I guess in hindsight, the machine guns were the straw that broke the camel's back. That's why I'm relating this story to you. There are lots of things, such as heavily armed cops, that are different in Italy than in the United States.

But in the end, different is just different. Even something as different as the Rome airport - which is about as organized as a third-grader's birthday party, is normal in context. Generally, if the locals aren't scared you shouldn't be either. You can look here for info on Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome

Eventually Ms. Giovannini showed up, the jet lag went away and everything was fine. I spent the best half-year of my life in Italy. But if my vacation had been scheduled for only a week or 10 days, the initial impression might have clouded the entire experience.

Just remember, however, that usually the first people you see when you arrive in the country will be airport employees, traditionally not the most upwardly mobile segment of society.

What I'm getting at is to not judge a book by its cover, or even by the first dozen or so pages. Keep an open mind, because any time you go somewhere new or unfamiliar, there will be a period of culture shock.

A vacation, especially to Italy, can be a life changing experience. Do not let a minor detail like lost luggage or a pick pocket or no ice in the cokes from McDonalds ruin an entire trip. There's nary an ice cube to be found in all Europe.

Here are a few helpful tidbits about Italy and Italians to help you avoid those trip-ruining blow ups.

Italians are firm believers in siesta. This is particularly annoying for smokers who want to buy cigarettes late in the afternoon, especially in small towns. From about 3:30 to 6 ish, most shops are closed (except in Milan, where capitalism, for the most part, rules).

Italians have their own rules about things like smoke breaks. It is not rude to them to suddenly walk away from, say, a bank tellers counter to chat when it is finally, after two hours, your turn in line. Don't yell or act put out. That will only make matters worse. Just accept that some cultures are different. When in Rome

Once Italians sit down to eat, they could be there until the following Tuesday. Don't get flustered if you wait forever in a restaurant, watching an old lady sit by herself and slowly, agonizingly slowly, sips a glass of wine.

For those of you traveling with small children, pepperoni are not the fav topping at Pizza Hut, they are green peppers. That can make for a shock as well as put out toddlers, who are already wondering why they can't get pan. Your pizza will not be like this : Pizza Hut Homepage

If you are in Naples, do not be alarmed by the scene outside the train station. You might be mobbed by gypsy kids, but once you get into the city proper, you will be fine. Be sure to get pizza here.

There are lots of other little quirks that make Italians who they are. That is the good stuff.

Live those differences up, they're what memories are made of. And don't let the inevitable snags get you down and ruin a wonderful trip. For other travel hints, please go to Italian culture guide