Imagine a bowl of cooked macaroni in the shape of seashells. The dough is the same as for spaghetti, tortellini and tagliatelle.
But what makes Italians make so many different kinds and sizes of pasta?
The joy of partaking in a feast, not only for the mouth but also for the eyes, is among the most important lessons in "dolce vita", or sweet life, that we are asked to absorb.
Italian cuisine is colourful, aromatic and very tasty. Eating there is elevated to a cult, and the dinner itself with the whole noisy Italian family is the Event of the Day.
You can't live on fast food in Italy. You can't rush either, because you miss out on the taste of life.
And that, apart from the basil, the aromatic garlic and the pesto, is in the pleasure of sitting at a small table in a café next to the church bell tower and enjoying the wonderful views before your eyes.
Children riding their bicycles and laughing loudly, a stunning beauty swaying seductively in her high heels as she approaches her lover, who in turn is leaning casually against the fountain waiting for her with a peony plucked from somewhere along the way.
Yes, it sounds like a still from a Bernini film, but it could be our way of life, too, as long as we allow our minds to accept that life is colorful and colorful, just like on a movie strip.
If we turn our camera, that is, our eyes, to all the works of art that Italy has given to the world, we will see that attention to detail that turns the ordinary into magic.
The precision of craftsmanship only comes when you are absolutely committed to what you are doing at the moment.
You put all your heart, attention and thought into that very moment and the miracle happens - you create something perfect.
The moments of our lives - each one of them can be like a little masterpiece if we also follow in the footsteps of the great artists.
First we observe with our heart and soul, and then we sink into the moment, paying attention to every detail.
No one rushes, no one skips over the soup to get to the dessert, because they know that it is only the layering of flavours that turns a simple meal into a triumph for the senses.
Only the enjoyment of each moment can give the overall feeling of a sweet life.
Ciao, bella!