Sweet sticky decadent heaven. My friend Natalie from back home who studied abroad for 5 months in Rome warned me that I would quickly become addicted, and she was right. The ice cream, gelato,  to be exact, is so heavenly it is difficult for me to put the taste  into words. The smooth consistency and creamy texture melts quickly in my stomach. It’s like instant happiness in a cone. When I need a little pick-me-up, I head to a gelateria and my troubles seem to melt away temporarily, along with the delicious ice cream.

Yesterday, Monday July 13^th, after hiking to the top of the main street leading into town from the bus station, I promptly rewarded myself with the second largest cone of cioccofondente (dark chocolate) and menta ciocco (mint chocolate) gelato.

“Per favore,” I said as I pointed to the cone size. The woman behind the counter smiled and I chose my favorite flavors. As she gently placed the cone in my hand I said with enthusiasm, “grazie mille” (which literally means a thousand thanks!). My leg muscles had been tight and my shoulders had felt as though I had 500 pound bags of sand on them. But when the gelato hit my taste buds, all my muscle aches just faded away.

Here in Italy I find myself craving sweets and chocolate more than ever. At home, I usually have a piece of chocolate or something sweet after lunch and dinner. Here, any opportunity I have to get gelato is hard to resist! There are studies that chocolate is a natural endorphin and while I am in Italy I think I will enjoy gelato until my heart is completely content.