Things we have learned so far...

• it is not always reason to panic when your car stalls in oncoming traffic on an Italian highway when you are driving a standard for the first time in 12 years, but it might have been advisable to take a warmup spin around Austin first...not as fun, but advisable


• there is a 1.50 euro cover charge per person for sitting at the table, enjoying each other's company, and perhaps dining on bread


• when your Italian is developing, it might be advisable to just try the English before butchering their language...for example, "how do you say baingo" and your waiter interrupts "restroom, down the hall, last door on the right" in perfect English


• to avoid condemning stares, you should probably use the provided plastic gloves before manhandling produce in the market


• contrary to what someone may believe, pecorino cheese is NOT pronounced "peckeroni" and belissimo is NOT pronounced "belly-somo", but we love her confidence with the language and her willingness to give it a try - Mom


• you can feel more confident about your ability with the Italian language when you hear Dora - the GPS voice...for example, she pronounces "Firenza-Siena" like "Fire-n-seena" and the road back to San Casciano as CassiaRomanoBananoTomato...or something like that.


• sometimes when your Italian is not so good and you ask for a sweet white wine, your waitress comes back with jet fuel which burns your entire digestive tract as it goes down - and it will cost you 5 euros


• Italian purses are best made and found in Italy - and they must have a "Made in Italy" embossing to qualify as better than anything you own


• figs are delicious, and olives are not edible off the tree


• you have to earn your gelatos - some are doing better than others, but so far all have received the goodies...this might be a long week


• how come I am the only one who ever has coins to feed the parking meter, and how come the police never seem to check the meters?