A Glimmer of Hope in the Midst of the Coronavirus Crisis?
Vo, a small town just outside of Padova might show the way... I feel war-weary, waking up to mounting cases and death tolls in this [...]
Italy Reaches Critical Mass with the Coronavirus Crisis
Hospitals and medical services are struggling to keep up. That's the story of the coronavirus crisis that we're waking up to here in Italy. Lombardy [...]
The Allure of Venice at Night
Those of you who've been following my blog understand I have a love affair with Venice. And, it continues to deepen, particularly in regards to [...]
Are we waking up too late to the silent spread of the coronavirus?
Italy has been on lockdown but trains are still carrying people south. And most probably the coronavirus with them. Yes, even though the train schedules [...]
Which is Worse? The Coronavirus or the Blame Virus?
The latter certainly doesn't help the former. I woke up this morning, hoping to see that The President of the United States, in his address [...]
The Coronavirus Chaos in Italy
As of yesterday all of Italy is on lockdown as a result of the coronavirus In a matter of days, life here in Italy has [...]
When the Unexpected Arrives
And the unexpected is happening right now. I'm feeling it and seeing it more acutely being here in Veneto, one of the "hot spot" regions [...]
The Italian Origins of the Word Quarantine
It all began in the 17th century in Venice with the term quaranta giorni (forty days). Currently, we're inundated with the coronavirus news and the [...]
Italian Men and Their Card Games
It's a scene you won't have difficulty finding throughout Italy. Head to almost any piazza, especially just before lunch until well past dinner, and you'll [...]
Immigrating to Italy – The Process Keeps Getting Slower
It's been seven years for me... And when I compare my experience making the move from then to now, and after copious stories that I’ve [...]
Locals Exercise Their Creativity with Radicchio Trevigiano
January is the last harvest month of radicchio from Treviso And, many locals say the best comes last. From my vantage point here in Treviso, [...]
C’mon, Is Naples Pizza Really THAT Good?
Yes, Naples Pizza IS! At least, to my discriminating taste buds. I've sampled incredible pizza all over Italy. Rarely have I been left wanting. I'd [...]
Know Your Italian Idioms!
I applaud Italians for having created such colorful phrases. Italian idioms, in my opinion, kick butt on English idioms. And, if you're serious about going [...]
Time to Make the Leap to Speaking with an Advanced Italian Tongue
Okay, no more putting this off. I've been living in Italy for six-and-a-half years now, and I get along pretty well with my mid-intermediate Italian [...]
The Mountain is My Teacher
It happens every time, this invitation to wake up. So, why do I jump back into the swirling river of busyness and the world of [...]
Washing Up at the Communal Fountain
It's often a family affair. I could park myself at these rustic communal fountains near the beaches of southern Italy (this one's in Puglia, the [...]
When a Cinghiale Comes to Call
Don't trifle with these creatures. Cinghiale, which is a wild boar, can be found all over Italy. I've heard that, years ago, after their population [...]
Italian Faces Define A Medieval Celebration
Sulmona, Medieval, jousting, la giostra cavalleresca, abruzzo