a few things
- good coffee or food isn't a given everywhere, even in Europe.
- beverages bought from a supermarker or grocery store (about 0.50 euro or less) are cheaper than those from a cafe (about 1.50 euro).
E pointed this out and this was very good to know. at first i didn't understand why but given the European penchance for lingering in cafes, i then realized this was a way for the owners to recover some overhead. you also pay much less for a drink consumed at the counter than seated.
- things are cheaper in Portugal, as compared to Paris and Italy. so far, Paris has been the most expensive.
espresso in Portugal (0.50 euro) compared to espresso in Paris (1.20 euro) or Italy (0.80).
- coffee i'm used to consuming in the US has a higher caffeine content than the espressos served here. it's counter-intuitive but true. espresso may have a higher caffeine concentration but overall caffeine is more in say, a Peet's or Starbuck's coffee.
- when Italians pick up the phone, they answer "Pronto". meaning: ready (talk to me).
- when you're a female walking alone at night, you're likely to be greeted by overly-friendly Italian men. (A - you were right).
- in Italy, they ask you for your passport everywhere. and they xerox it. even to use the internet cafe, they ask to see it. Italian police presence is very noticeable as well.
- only tourists order cappuccino after breakfast. Europeans don't drink cappuccino after breakfast.
