Culture Shock

I'm sure not in Italy anymore. As we headed north and made our way down to Rota I started to see little things that in a past life were normal but now looked out of place. But now? A week in Rota, as I am settling in I realize there isn't a day that goes by without me stopping dead in my tracks in awe and shock of something. Here are the ones that have stuck with me:

• It is safe to park on the street. Even along the beach in the high season. 
• While still smiling about the sidewalk I was running on, I realized the only obstacles I was dodging were other joggers, bikers, and pedestrians. 
• Congested intersections are honk free zones. 
• Hairdryer works without an adapter. As in the 220v plug really is standard!
• Cilantro cost a mere $1.61! 4 pink lady apples? $2! Although still ridiculously high, about 1/2 the cost of the commissary in Naples.
• I can drink tap water!
• "Soft" water which probably is still a tad on the "hard" range but my hair is loving it!
• Mosquitoes are a rare species here. 
• Ice. It's plentiful and pretty standard.
• People stand in lines.
• Cars park within the designated lines.
• I'm pumping my own gas and paying with a credit card.

Of course there are things that I'm homesick for:

• Church bells at all hours of the day telling me what time it is. 
• Coffee that actually caffinates my body (cáfe con leche just isn't the same as a good cappuccino).
• Bright red, flavorful, juicy tomatoes.

I know the lists will grow as time passes on, as I de-Italianfy. For those here that were also once in Naples, I now understand this whole "transition" concept they spoke of. Most of the items on the list were standard back in the states, but after 3 years in Naples? You really begin to appreciate the little things...like clean air.