Archives: March 2007
Wed Mar 21, 2007
Made in Florence
Florence is a fascinating city in the Tuscany region of Italy that houses incredible architectural structures, countless art masterpieces, abundance of handcrafted leather, and of course delicious wine and food. Since Florence is located in the Tuscany region, you can sense the prevalence of farming and agriculture in the city from the goods that are sold. Instead of focusing their time and energy on dress, Florence takes pride in what they grow and produce. In particular, Florence is famous for their silk and leather. Like Rome, Florence is home to a variety of designer stores; however, the streets of Florence are filled with more leather stores that sell leather clothing and accessories because leather is one of the primary goods produced in Florence.
The leather market in Florence
Two weeks ago, we traveled to Tuscany and had the privilege of staying in Florence for a few days. While in Florence, we marveled at the architectural and art masterpieces, savored the Tuscan food, and spent the majority of our free time shopping throughout the streets of Florence. We were amazed at the low priced gold sold on the Ponte Vecchio bridge as well as the low priced silk and leather sold in the San Lorenzo market. I spent a significant amount of time browsing through the market in the San Lorenzo square. The market can be a bit overwhelming as it is lined with vendors selling leather goods, pashminas, and silk ties all at discounted prices. The smell of genuine leather and the voices of vendors saying, “I give you good price” fills the square of San Lorenzo.
As I browsed through each vendor’s cart, I was amazed at the prices on some of the items; Florentine silk ties were only five euros, pashminas sold for only ten euros, and the leather goods were significantly cheaper than the leather that is sold in the United States. We were all so excited to find pashminas and leather purses for such reasonable prices! Looking at the prices of the various goods in the market gave me a new appreciation for the phrase, “Made in Florence.” These “Made in Florence” tags indicated good quality items that were probably produced not too far from where I stood in the market. After leaving the market, I walked through some of the boutiques around Florence and compared prices of some of the same goods I saw in the market. I found a pair of cashmere leather gloves that was seventy euros in a boutique, but only twenty-five euros in the leather market. Having studied markups last semester, this price comparison helped me to better visualize the significant markups placed on items sold in private stores. I also realized the considerable markup that is placed on Florentine goods upon entering the United States.
After visiting the charming city of Florence, I will associate the “Made in Florence” tags with a high quality good that has come from a city rich in art and culture.
The Ponte Vecchio bridge that is lined with stores selling gold jewelry
Kristen, Lauren, Whitney, Katie, Tyler, Colleen, and Quandra wearing their new Florentine
pashminas
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Wed Mar 14, 2007
Water, Water, Everywhere
Italy is a country filled with picturesque landscapes, ancient fountains and monuments that have been made even more beautiful with the elegant touch of flowing water. While living in Italy these past few weeks I have come to realize that although Italy is made up of numerous wonderful attractions that lure millions of tourists each year, few people probably realize the important contribution that water makes to the constant flow of tourism.
Water has been vitally important in Italy since ancient Roman times when eleven aqueducts were constructed to supply the thousands of liters of water needed by the ancient city. The majority of this water was set aside for the people through an extensive network of public fountains. Not only was this water essential for everyday life as it still is today, but this water fed and supplied the numerous fountains and baths in the city. Even today Rome has multiple major fountains: such as the Trevi Fountain, Fountain of The Four Rivers and the Fountain of the Naids. None of these beautiful fountains would have been possible without the creation of aqueducts that were built to bring water into the city. Without the amazing engineering skills of the Romans water would not have been able to enter the city as easily as it did. Because of traditions began with the aqueduct system a majority of the fountains spout refreshing drinkable water. Fountains that supply drinking water are referred to as “nasoni,” meaning big noses that spout water. Fortunately for us, we are not experiencing the scorching heat of a Roman summer, but I understand that when touring the streets of Rome in summer acquit thirst quite commonly occurs. Having refreshing water easily accessible makes ones day more enjoyable.
Not only has water added significant beauty to the fountains and monuments in Rome, but the water of the beautiful seas surrounding Italy have created amazing coastal towns that become jammed packed with tourists during the summer. During our first few weeks in Italy we were able to visit the Almafi Coast. Some of the towns we were able to explore were Sorrento, Positano, and the isle of Capri. Although we were not vacationing during the peak travel season we were fortunate to experience what these cities had to offer with the beautiful waters that surrounded them. Of the places on the coast that we visited I would have to pick Capri as being my favorite because of the beautiful waters that surrounded the island. The island was warm and welcoming to us, just as I predicted from the reputation of southern Italian culture. Being on the island was relaxing and at times we all felt as if we were on the set of a movie because of the natural beauty that was around us at times. The waters surrounding the island of Capri were of a postcard setting and seemed to not have been touched and polluted by tourists. Our boat ride tour around the island of Capri took us directly under the famous rocks and symbol of the island, the Faraglione which were breathtaking. Not only were we able to see the island from a boat but by a funicular (mountain tram) that took us to the top of the island. I had two completely different breathtaking views of the islands beauty, from the water and a mountain top...
From our wonderful experiences in Italy and areas of the Almafi Coast I have come to realize how Italy is a country that stands strong in tradition and values. Italy is a welcoming country to tourists from abroad. We are fortunate to be students studying abroad in a country that is filled with beauty, but more importantly natural beauty. Water maybe the most important natural resource that Italy possesses.
Lauren drinking water from one of the many city fountains in Roma
The Faraglione rocks, the symbol of Capri
The Spring 07 group at the very top of Capri overlooking the sea
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Tue Mar 06, 2007
Order Up!!!
I never would have expected to come to Italy and be amazed by the similarities and differences in Italian and American hospitality. The differences in food service and the expected behavior of employees and customers at a restaurant became apparent to me right away. The experience of eating seems to be more important in Italy. It is more of a time to meet with friends and family than it is to just have lunch or dinner. In Italy, eating is a social event filled with appetizers, 1st, 2nd or 3rd courses, dessert, and of course vino (wine)! The experience of eating in a restaurant in Italy requires a good bit of time, where as in the United States, we expect our food in a timely manner and to be waited on hand and foot. Food service is a lot more relaxed and drawn out in Italy. Expecting glasses to be refilled, food to come out at the same time, and the bill to come at the end of the meal without being requested are things that are unnatural in Italy. Here in Italy, we are expected to have long meals filled with good company, good food and good wine. Of course we did not mind adjusting to these types of things; we liked not being rushed to eat as well as the fact that our food came out of the kitchen hot and freshly prepared.
Spring 07 group at a restaurant on Lake Nemi
Realizing that the customer experience is something that is important in both American and Italian hospitality became readily apparent to me, especially since this is my first trip out of the country. It is fascinating to see that in today’s world, hospitality has the same degree of importance as it did in the 1st century. I first realized that the culture and history of hospitality been fundamentally the same from century to century when we took our group trip to Pompeii, the buried city. The only thing that varies is how it is executed and experienced from country to country.
The ancient artifacts from Pompeii make it clear how many restaurants and food venues operated during the 1st century. We visited one restaurant/ bar that had been excavated. It seemed very similar to many restaurants in the United States. There was a bar area with huge pots built into the actual bar itself which held wine and beer for people to dip their glasses into. Behind the bar there had been signs of menu writings on the wall with price indications; there did not seem to be menus back in the 1st century, so they went off the postings on the bar wall. In addition, there was a room that looked like a dining room for people to come and enjoy food and time together.
Lastly, one thing I noticed about Pompeii was the word “Have” in stone at the entrance of many of the restaurants. The word “Have” means welcome guests. I thought that was a very unique and interesting way of operationalizing the idea of hospitality.
Whitney and Tyler, Hotel and Restaurant Management students, at the ruins of a restaurant in Pompeii
"HAVE," means Welcome Guests and is displayed outside on of the restaurants in Pompeii
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