Sakura

Italy, being home to one of the world's most beloved cuisines, has a surprisingly sparse selection in food from other countries. On a grander scale, this mirrors their stringent immigration laws and strong sense of nationalism, which, juxtaposed to the multiculturalism of Vancouver that I am so used to, makes for an interesting experience. That being said, I've noticed more Chinese people around town than I have on my previous visits, and I still can't get over the fact that they're more fluent in Italian than English. I'm slightly jealous.

Tonight we went to Sakura, a Japanese restaurant in neighbouring Meda. It's a huge, modern restaurant run and operated by Chinese people. The menu is pretty extensive and on the whole I saw a lot of items that I'd find back home--in smaller portions and with higher prices, however. My aunt told me that Japanese food is becoming popular as Italian women become more and more concerned with their weight (and here I thought it was a North American problem). Sushi is a healthier alternative to the endless supply of carb-heavy pasta, pizza, and risotto. And they weren't just eating cooked items--sashimi was sought-after by quite a number of fellow diners.

I was just happy to see Italians embracing a cuisine other than their own since I still detect hesitation to do otherwise. And it's easy to understand why. Countries like Canada thrive on cultural diversity (I find that most English-speaking countries normally do), whereas most countries around the world have deep historical and ancestral ties to their homeland. They have traditions, language(s), regional/national cuisines, whereas Canada, with everything adopted from somewhere else, is a mini-United Nations. Just the way I like it.

On the list of things I miss from home, other than the obvious (family and friends), are:

1. Salmon sashimi (I had some tonight. They were probably 5 times smaller than the huge slices we have in Vancouver but still delicious)
2. Luc lac (from Phnom Penh)
3. Durian sticky rice (also from Phnom Penh--if Numz and RaeRae hadn't made me try it a few months ago I would probably have lived my life durian-less due to its odour)
4. Mom's homemade Chinese soup (various kinds)
5. Steamed pork dumplings from Shanghai River (take that, Jenny Penny!)
6. Almond tea/milk from Ho Yuen Kee
7. Seeing more women than men everywhere I go (seriously, why are there so many more men in Italy? I shouldn't complain but it's like a gender-shock if I compare it to what I've been used to for the past 12 years of all girls' high school, female-dominant university courses, and an all-female workplace...)

To answer your burning question, no, I have not yet made significant improvements in my eye contact with men; though I will be moving to Florence tomorrow and that will open a whole new can of worms. Without family, friends, English, or a keen sense of the city, I will be almost completely out of my comfort zone. You know what that means: sink or swim. Or in my case, sink or back-float (or doggie-paddle).

Today's Italian word of the day is: 

valori

It came up in a conversation with my uncle, similar to one I've had with myself (in thoughts, not out loud) and coworkers, about how it seems like many of the younger generation (Z?) lack such qualities as respect and work-ethic. It means "values" and clearly they have changed. I can be such a cranky old lady.

PS. I went to the mercato in Seregno today and bought two more tops, a knit-wrap dress, and leggings. But don't worry, they were on sale. And I'm keeping track of every purchase on a spreadsheet.