Some Observations

Before I get working for the day (which I really actually need to do) I am going to just jot down a few thoughts I have had lately...

1) One place where you can see that Americans adhere more to rules and regulations is when it comes to waiting in lines. When I was waiting to board my Ryanair flights this past weekend, passengers were basically waiting in large clumps which then gradually funneled down into a single file line right before our boarding passes were checked. I spent all that waiting time just surrounded by people. It seemed to be about getting to the front as quickly as possible, regardless if it was before someone who was waiting before you. I found myself fondly thinking back to all those Southwest flights when (even before the number system), people very calmly placed themselves in line right behind the person who was already there... and stayed that way to board the plane. Yes maybe we are more petty about "cutsies" but it is very orderly too. I think I prefer it.

On a sort of related note, one morning at breakfast Federico and I were discussing Italians and their regard for the rules. He talked about people buying fake monthly passes for the bus (I have talked about bus passes previously, see I think two posts down), abusing handicapped passes to park anywhere they want and things like that. Yes, the US has its people who cheat the rules but I really think it is more prevalent here. Federico said that many people have the attitude, well maybe it's against the rules but if I don't get penalized, then what does it matter? Classic free riding kind of stuff. Also reminds me of when we discussed "amoral familism" in Comparative Political Systems - regarding Italy specifically. It is the idea that you take care of those around you in your close circle, whether that is through honest means or not, and don't really care about the rest of the community or society. Obviously you can also see mafia-like elements in that idea. I don't know, I just like thinking about this stuff.

2) I discovered that Cristina and Federico, especially Cristina, are in what seems to be the minority of Italians who do not smoke and who really don't like smokers... I knew they never smoked in the house but had no clue if they ever did outside the house. I did request non-smokers when I filled out my questionnaire for housing though, so I shouldn't be surprised. Cristina told me how at work she used to have to share an enclosed space with about 4 smokers and she really didn't enjoy it. Also, the full ban on smoking on trains is quite recent and she once got stuck in a smoking car on a train from Rome to Firenze and it was unpleasant. Possibly the worst story is that once she was eating in a restaurant while pregnant with Lisa (again, before the ban inside restaurants) and a woman near her was lighting up one cigarette after another after another. Cristina said "Excuse me ma'am, I'm pregnant, could you maybe wait a little while to smoke another one?" and this woman was basically very rude and said something to the effect of "I'll do what I want!" Wow...

3) This is just a bit of news - since I figured out when my philosophy exam will be (January 19) I have started to think of travel options for the time between then and when my parents come in February (which will be right before second semester classes start). I am looking at possibly going to Palermo, Sicily (with a daytrip to a town called Cefalu) in late January, and then to Spain to see Molly and Kristen in early February! I am really psyched that this Spain thing will probably work out so well. I am thinking of flying into Granada, spending about a day there (and seeing the Alhambra!), taking a train to Cordoba, spending about a day there (the Mezquita!), then a train to Madrid and nearby Salamanca which is where Kristen and Molly are going to be studying. I am timing it to get to Salamanca on a Friday, and then we'll probably spend part of the weekend in Madrid as well before I head on back to Italy. I am sooo excited because a) I will get to spend time with them and b) I studied the Ummayads (Muslims) in southern Spain last year at Georgetown and have been pretty fascinated with that part of history ever since. My major is Comparative Studies in Western Europe and the Middle East, with a focus on religion, so that time in Spain when Muslims, Christians, and Jews all lived side by side in this incredibly rich culture is fascinating. Okay, nerd rant ending now... I may well book the plane and the trains in the next couple days, especially since there are REALLY good train discounts (40% and 60%) that are harder to find the later you book. So that is all very exciting!

Alright, I better wrap up now. I really need to make some considerable progress on this paper type thing for the exam I have Tuesday. I am working from home today since, surprise surprise, there is a sciopero generale (a strike). The library at Scienze Politiche is closed, I have no idea if buses are running, and Cristina is even home from work on strike. Plus the weather is kind of dreary outside so it's not too difficult staying inside.

Just wanted to add a few things. I don't have nearly as much work right now as all my friends at Georgetown doing finals (and Kristen in Strasbourg!) but it is time to get down to business nonetheless... so that then some fun can follow! :-)