a word about Italian breakfasts

French breakfast was bad enough. Espresso and a croissant for 10 Euros--but at least you got a seat. In Italy, you don't even get a seat. You just walk in, step up to the bar, order your espresso and croissant, eat, pay too much, and leave. Your legs are tired, your wallet is empty, and your still thristy.

As we moved north, things got better. In Switzerland and Germany, I sat down every morning, had a full breakfast, and drank several lattes. I'm starting to think that colder weather and higher latitudes=bigger breakfasts. In Scotland, people eat a huge "Scottish Breakfast." I wonder what they eat for breakfast in Norway?

But the Italian breakfast is in stark contrast to the Italian supper. Supper was always several courses: (1) antipasto, (2) pasta, (3) meat, (4) cheese, and (5) dessert. Must be because they're so hungry after not eating anything else all day. It was far too much food--Stacey and I would usually just order pasta and a bottle of wine (cheaper than anything else including water).