_missing italia_

Lately, for no particular reason, I have been missing Italy A LOT. Maybe it's because I finally got to skype with Marina a week ago, and I didn't realize how much I really missed her until I saw her appear on my screen. Maybe it's because American grocery stores are sadly depressing and expensive for the kind of food I bought and ate in Italy... Maybe it's because I miss Italian coffee shops so much. I haven't had a real espresso since..... I was in Italy. yikes.

I broke out my caffettiera (stovetop espresso maker.. or moka) a few days ago, which helped a lot. It's amazing how a couple sips of espresso can instantly transport me back, as though I am sitting at the bar at the Politecnico, sharing a caffè macchiato with the Italian students, or even better, I'm sitting in the kitchen with my adopted Italian family, having an espresso after breakfast or lunch. I miss that so much.  I never thought I could bring back memories and emotions this strong with something like coffee. Oh, but I miss it. I also miss the price. I'm already sick of paying three and a half dollars for a cappuccino at any of the cafes, which is about double the price it is in Italy. I refuse to drink American coffee (aka mildy-coffee-flavored water), though it is much more economical. And I don't dare buy an espresso out.. both being nervous about quality and for the fact that they cost over $2 for a single shot. urgh. I need a real coffee machine. Or I need to work at a coffee shop and make my own espresso... ha that could work.

What also brought back intense Italian-deprivation feelings was the fact that I (finally) watched The Italian Job. No, not the new one, the old one. It was released in 1967, and it's brilliant. A good mix of action, fast cars, and comedy. Loved it. Plus it helps that I'm a sucker for old movies....especially when they are set in a place I love. You have no idea how excited I was to see the familiar streets and porticos of Torino throughout the movie. It made me so happy. Here are a few of my favorites...


...I think I may just watch the Italian Job and drink espresso every time I'm missing Italia!


I'm very very thankful that I have the friends that I do here, and that I am pretty happy anywhere, because I definitely would be missing Italy a lot more. What's hard is that even if I were to go back now, it probably wouldn't be quite the same. But one thing I know, I am most definitely going back!