Stores in Italy

Ciao!! 

In Italy, stores are quite different. There are a lot of very small specialty shops like Panetterrias (bread), Gelaterias (ice cream), and Pescherias (fish). They also have many other specialty shops. These specialty shops also have other things, but their main product is their masterpiece. So far, I have only seen one super shop. It was called Il Gigante. This is a huge, multiple floor grocery store. It has individual sections for cheese, meat, fruit, and so on. Everything is always fresh here. There are only a couple frozen food sections, and only a small section for sweets. It is very different from the American grocery store. Here, they have Italian brands of soda, but i have seen American soda. They have Pepsi, Coca Cola, and Fanta. But, before I came here, I stopped drinking soda, so I have not gotten to enjoy any of this... One strange thing about this grocery store, is it is located in the Mall. The grocery stores here are not just by themselves (unless they are the small specialty shops mentioned earlier,) they are inside the Malls. 

Malls here are very large (from what I have seen so far.) They have their 'normal' Italian stores similar to our American Eagle, Express, etc. However, here they do have some "American" stores. There is H&M, Hollister, and Abercrombie from America. Abercrombie is incredibly expensive here. Probably about double it is in American. H&M is about the same, and i have not visited Hollister yet so I cannot compare prices.  One thing I do like about visiting Abercrombie, though I cannot buy anything, there are shirtless models at the front of the door that you get a free photo with!! Whoohooo! :) That's a store I plan on visiting regularly when i go to the Center of Milan. There are also a lot of little boutiques that fill Milan and the malls. Such as Subdued. This store is a personal favorite of mine :) 

In the streets, there are also a lot of outdoor "swap meets." They are those things with tons of tents with everything from fresh fish to clothes and jewelry. Those are very interesting to walk down. One second you're smelling yummy cheese, the next, stinky fish!! But they are very fun to look for for good deals on jewelry or some fresh french fries!! :) 

I love shopping here. It is a very fun thing to do with friends!! (though very very costly.)

 :D

 <3

A little shop in Cinque Terre!!!

Thanks for reading!!

~Shelby