A Tangent about Pigeons

Buongiorno tutti! I feel obligated to upload something, even though nothing’s really happened with in the last few days. So I’m going to do a tangential post about something that touches Italy, but is not really Italy.

Pigeons.

That’s right, you heard me correctly. Pigeons are a staple of Italian cultures, almost as important as margherita pizza and wine. (Maybe a little less.)

My first encounter with the winged vermin came in Rome, where they were chilling at the Piazza Navona. Though there have been attempts to destroy the pigeon breeding grounds by putting needles on all the places that they can land, pigeons are innovative creatures and not afraid of such puny attempts.

                                    The White Pigeon, much like the White Whale.

                                          They laugh at these mediocre efforts.

It wasn’t as bad in Florence, where the most we saw was at the Church of San Lorenzo (mainly because people felt the uncontrollable urge to drop their food on the ground. Jerks.).

But to truly appreciate the pigeon armies of Italy, you must go to Venice. Especially at San Marco’s Square, there was no escaping their presence. Most people just went along with it.

                                        Wedding photos with pigeons? No problem.

                                            Take pictures of ALL the pigeons!

One way to tell a true Italian child from tourist children is to see their reaction to pigeons. A tourist child will either shy away or making cooing sounds in the general direction of the closest pigeon. An Italian child will try to kick it or run over it with his or her toys. 

Tricky Italians. 

As I am not a true Italian (due to my dislike of nutella, wine, shopping, and shoes (as stated by an actual Italian)), pigeons don't inspire in me a strong desire to take them out. Though I know some people who definitely have some Italian ancestry (*cough* ELIZABETH *cough*).

                                    Also, no pigeons allowed on the restroom signs.

Interesting Stories of the Day(s):

• Saw a beautiful sunset from the park in Arezzo. Of course, I forgot my camera, but take my word for it, it was postcard worthy.
• Two nights ago, for dinner, I had a kebab of fish! There was salmon, and shrimp, and squid, and something else that was really good. Honestly, it was probably the best meal in Italy that I've had so far and my host mother made it. Seriously, Italian restaurants don't have anything on Italian mothers.
• Yesterday at my internship, there were three American couples who came into the museum, and every time I would say, "Buongiorno," they would say really timidly, "Umm, yeah, hi." I mean, yes people, I'm saying something in Italian, but it's only 'Hello'. Man up!

A dopo!