In Italy, shopping for food and then cooking it  

quickly becomes a joyful part of my days here.

Initially there is some small shock or perhaps disappointment 

upon noting the absence of certain things familiar,

but then the markets: small, privately-owned neighborhood shops

or my local, outdoor extravaganza (S. Ambrogio)  open 6 days/week,

re-appear on the horizon and I realize I have all I need, 

and more than I can culinarily fathom, right at my fingertips.