Italy.
One of the girls in our travel party had a friend in Rome who agreed to show us around. He did a wonderful job. We saw so many things we would never have found without him, including an orange tree garden, and this amazing view of St. Peter's Basilica
At the end of the night, we ended up at a little bar in a young part of town. He recommended we try a traditional Italian digestif, which consists of a very concentrated dessert wine served with 'cookies,' resembling biscotti. The exact cookie with which our wine was served had a certain name. I asked our guide, 'So what's the difference between this and biscotti?' He looked at me blankly. He said (with an Italian accent, as he said everything -- of course), 'What?' I repeated, 'Biscotti. What's the difference between this and biscotti.' He still looked dumbfounded. I then, in the traditional American fashion, continued to repeat the word, but in a questioning voice.
'Biscotti. Biscotti... Bisco..tti.. Biscotti?'
He continued to stare at me. My British and American friends looked desperate to help but had nothing to say.
Finally, our guide, Marco said, 'OOoooooh. BiscOOOtti.'
I believe I then threw my hands in the air.
He said, 'Sorry. I don't know what BiscAtti (in a Boston-like accent) is.'
Pros and cons to being shown around by a local. Pro: Amazing sights. Con: judgement.
One of the girls in our travel party had a friend in Rome who agreed to show us around. He did a wonderful job. We saw so many things we would never have found without him, including an orange tree garden, and this amazing view of St. Peter's Basilica
At the end of the night, we ended up at a little bar in a young part of town. He recommended we try a traditional Italian digestif, which consists of a very concentrated dessert wine served with 'cookies,' resembling biscotti. The exact cookie with which our wine was served had a certain name. I asked our guide, 'So what's the difference between this and biscotti?' He looked at me blankly. He said (with an Italian accent, as he said everything -- of course), 'What?' I repeated, 'Biscotti. What's the difference between this and biscotti.' He still looked dumbfounded. I then, in the traditional American fashion, continued to repeat the word, but in a questioning voice.
'Biscotti. Biscotti... Bisco..tti.. Biscotti?'
He continued to stare at me. My British and American friends looked desperate to help but had nothing to say.
Finally, our guide, Marco said, 'OOoooooh. BiscOOOtti.'
I believe I then threw my hands in the air.
He said, 'Sorry. I don't know what BiscAtti (in a Boston-like accent) is.'
Pros and cons to being shown around by a local. Pro: Amazing sights. Con: judgement.
