I am a Southern California native studying abroad in Bologna, Italy, right now. The weather here is actually in the fall season, something I am not used to. So these are the revelations I have experienced since the weather dropped under 70 degrees.
1. It is possible for the weather to be cold in September.
Although summer officially ends September 20, the summer weather, at least in California, lasts through October. So having cold weather before October while I am living in Bologna, Italy, was a huge shock for me.
2. Rainbows cannot be worn on any occasion.
At home, I can wear my Rainbow Sandals on any day, and in any type of weather, even the few days of the year when it may drizzle a little. I have now experienced true cold weather when I am wearing boots and warm socks and am still in fear that my toes may fall off.
3. People actually use umbrellas.
I have never owned an umbrella, or at least I have never used one. But the smartest decision I have made while in Bologna was to buy a cute multicolored umbrella. When it is a 30-minute walk around the city and you are dressed in a cute outfit, you can’t just pull your hood on and make the run back to your car.
4. You can dress cute for the cold weather.
Since it is only cold for a couple of weeks each year in California, I just throw on some yoga pants and a sweatshirt with my Uggs when my normal outfits won’t cut it. But while living in Bologna, I have learned that you can wear cute clothes for any occasion. You just have to throw some tights, boots, and a sweater over that outfit.
5. People don’t freak out when it rains.
Since Californians aren’t exactly veterans when it comes to dealing with rain, it usually causes some panic among the masses. In other areas of the country, and the world, people take it in stride and just grab their coat or umbrella on the way out the door.
6. Wearing layers sucks.
Wearing layers at home, for me, is throwing a sweatshirt or cardigan in my backpack for after practice at night. Here, I have to wear so many different articles of clothing: a tank top with a shirt and sweater, maybe a jacket too, and tights under a dress or skirt with socks and boots. It is a lot of different things to think about for me that I am not used to.
7. When you walk into a building after walking in the cold, it feels like a sauna.
You know that the air is freezing outside so you dress as warm as possible for your 30 or more minute walk, but when you actually arrive at your destination, it is usually heated. So you have to take off all of your layers and you end up sitting at your destination, sweating from the walk, the heat, and all of the clothes you are wearing.
