After spending a month here, you start to run out of things. No matter how much I over pack, I inevitably need things. So here is more ‘vita quotidiana’ (everyday living).

Below, lipstick for scale, is ibuprofen. Advil. Basic little brown pills, you can get about 1000 of them for $5 at WalMart. After last week’s week-long headache, I was out. You have to get pretty much any kind of pain pill AT a Pharmacy. They are still over the counter, it just has to be a pharmacist’s counter. And you get a 12-pack. Yes, 12 little pills. For 5 euros. That’s nearly $6 for 12 generic ibuprofen. And they’re big, white tablets. 💊

Also, the pharmacies here are open Monday-Saturday, from 8am-12:45pm, and 3pm-7:45pm. Usually. They sort of decide at the last minute. So, catching them when they are open is tricky. #FunTimesWhenYouveHadAWeekLongHeadache

And below, again lipstick for scale, are both mosquito itch lotion and makeup remover face wipe things. Italy seems to have this thing about medication. They don’t like it. Stores sell shampoo, lotion, deodorant, and that’s about it. You have to go to the Pharmacy for vitamins, sunscreen, ANY sort of medication, face cream, etc. And they aren’t big on prescriptions. They push herbal remedies and stuff, which is annoying when you just want some freaking calamine lotion. The pen below is #2, post-mosquito. There is a bottle labelled #1, to put on before getting stung. And even so, this stuff is a mix of flower oils and herbal things. No actual chemicals. #Sigh As for the face wipes, they are a backup mainly, since I brought my stupid-expensive skin care line with me. But sometimes, I don’t feel like doing the 6-step, grown-up thing. Also, they smell horrible. #MoreSigh

And of course, we have to do laundry. This (our second) apartment has a dryer, so that’s nice. I believe these are Tide Pods, essentially. Or it’s dishwasher soap and our clothes are going to be sparkling clear. 🤔🥂 Either way, it seems to be working. I haven’t tasted them yet 😉 but they smell nice. Maybe I should break one open to wash my face.

Red Alert!!! 🚨 They have tortilla Pringles here!!! 😍 And they are good!!! #ElSaltedDelicious