Report on Italy by Elise

Flight
About 10 hours long
Stopped in Amsterdam, Holland and then went on to Milan, Italy
Ate dinner and then slept

Where is Italy? Where am I?
We are in Varese at the top of the boot about 30 minutes from Milan, fashion and banking capital in the world
Shaped like a boot
Surrounded by water on all but the North
Swiss Alps are on the North
75% of Italy is mountains or hills
3 active volcanos

Weather
Much like Michigan, but not as much snow unless in the mountains
30-45* F while here in Feb.
We had 1 day of snow
Rome got snow the first time in 25 years


Time Difference
6 hour difference, so at 8pm here it is 2pm in Michigan

Language
Italian, but you will also hear English, and some European languages like German

Government
Prime Minister runs the country
President is ceremonial figure

Religion
95% Catholic
Only 30% go to church

School
Kids go from 9-1pm
Lunch not served
No extra activities after school
National sport – soccer which they call football

Food
I like Tiramasu- made out of cream on cookies called ladyfingers
Gelato – very creamy ice cream
Breakfast simple – Briocche and juice
Lunch – paninis
Dinners – start after 8pm and have about 4 courses – antipasto, 1st plate (pasta), 2nd plate (meat or fish), and Dessert and Coffee

Interesting Facts
Pinnochio written in Italy
Pizza first made in Naples, Italy
Italians eat ½ # bread a day
Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo were Italian explorers
Italy is 4th most visited country
Eyeglasses were invented in Italy
Ice cream cone invented in Italy