Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone

So for those of you keeping up with my blog, you have already read about the cute Italian man that asked me to coffee. I wanted to go today and spent hours trying to convince myself to get out of my comfort zone and just go and meet him! What was the harm and what's to lose? But you know me; if I can't predict the outcome of something it's hard for me to do it. Well after much debate, a hell of a lot of courage and a boot out the door thanks for my lovely roommates here and in GB, I decided to go and officially meet this cute pizza guy. He works down my street so it's not like I'd be going far from my apt alone. Plus my street is right next to the Duomo, a tourist trap which means cops are always around. Well I had no idea how to go about this. Just walk up to the guy at his restaurant and say teach me Italian?? A little rude. So as suggested by Kelsey, I took a walk hoping to see him outside of his restaurant.

I didn't even make it to the restaurant before I saw him. He was on a cigarette run. Everyone smokes here, this stereotype is still true. So I went around the corner with him as he went and bought a pack. I learned that his name was Nico and that he was 32. Thirty two or not, he was still cute. I went back to his restaurant where I learned he owns it with 3 other people and they opened it last March. I also learned that you're not allowed to touch the walls because the painting on the wall is over 300 years old and the building is at least 1,000!! It's amazing what you learn in an old city.

Nico and I had a great conversation while I had a glass of red wine from his restaurant. I was there for a couple of hours until they closed at 10. It was a wonderful evening, with great conversation, good wine, and with a cute  man who is married...

Oh well. It's not like I was looking for anything anyways. Just to have a good time and meet more people. Still, I'm a little sad because he really is a nice respectful guy. Though he was the first to admit that all men are pigs. Some of the things he said made me laugh. He's one of those "tell it like it is" type of guys.

In the end, I had a good evening, a free glass of wine and I made a new friend who I can go to to ask about anything Italian related and not have to worry if he's a creeper or not. I judged that he was a decent guy from the first moment I met him and I still stick to the judgment. And I'm very proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and doing something on my own.

It's been exactly 4 weeks since I've arrived in Italy and I've already met some fun and interesting locals. Wonder who I'll meet next??