Countries Beginning with "I" - Italy

Decorating in Italy - Asian Style

webmaster@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 03 Jan 2008 16:22:00 +0100

Adding Some Eastern Touches to Our Home

Happy Early Thanksgiving!

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 11 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0100

Chestnut stuffing and herb-roasted turkey.

Off the Phone in Italy

webmaster@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 13 Nov 2007 09:35:00 +0100

Botching Basic Infrastructure, Losing Business.

Italian Train Graffiti 13

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 08 Nov 2007 13:30:00 +0100

Beautifying Italy's sad commuter trains.

Italian Train Graffiti 12

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 07 Nov 2007 13:30:00 +0100

Beautifying Italy's sad commuter trains.

New Song: Due su Due

06 Nov 2007 08:05:10 +0100

A pop paean to brotherly love.

New Song: Tu Come Stai

05 Nov 2007 08:05:10 +0100

Some up-to-date music from Zero Assoluto.

Everyday Italian: Newspaper Headlines 6

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 01 Nov 2007 08:15:00 +0100

Learn Italian from Newspaper Headlines!

Italian Train Graffiti 11

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 23 Oct 2007 17:30:00 +0100

More of the beautiful "vandalism" that perks up Italian commuter trains.

Italy's Postal Embarrassment

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 31 Oct 2007 10:00:00 +0100

Complaints are common about the Italian postal service, but I thought things were getting better. And maybe they are, measured strictly against la posta's own previous service levels, which have always been dire.

Italian Train Graffiti 10

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 22 Oct 2007 09:30:00 +0100

More of the beautiful "vandalism" that perks up Italian commuter trains.

Hummingbirds and Other Venetians

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 13 Oct 2007 17:47:15 +0100

Venetian wildlife in a balcony garden.

Religious Belief vs. Health Care

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 10 Oct 2007 09:13:00 +0100

Tolerating the Intolerable in Italy

Telecom Italia is Killing Me

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 09 Oct 2007 13:13:00 +0100

This is far too painful to be funny anymore.

Guests of Conti Sertoli Salis - Fine Food and Wine in Valtellina

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 08 Oct 2007 18:45:00 +0100

Many moons ago, spurred by a question on Fodors.com, I wandered the Internets, looking up wineries in the nearby region of Valtellina. ..

Trattoria Al Passo (almost in) Venice

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 04 Oct 2007 18:30:00 +0100

While we were all in Venice, Umberto wanted to take us to his favorite restaurant in the nearby village of Campalto. The restaurant's card says Solo Pesce (only fish), and that's all we had - lots of very, very good fish.

More Venice: A Tight Squeeze, Venetian Scenes, When in Venice, Eat... Curry

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 03 Oct 2007 20:50:00 +0100

This weekend Enrico and I were invited to Venice by my Woodstock classmate, Jeet, who's renting a large apartment from Views on Venice, and keeping it filled with friends and family.

High Water (Not Hell) in Venice

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 02 Oct 2007 09:35:00 +0100

This weekend Enrico and I were invited to Venice by my Woodstock classmate, Jeet, who's renting a large apartment from Views on Venice, and keeping it filled with friends and family.

Everyday Italian: Newspaper Headlines 5 - New

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 26 Jul 2007 20:30:00 +0100

No birth without suffering.

Italian Train Graffiti 7 and 8

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 25 Jul 2007 18:00:00 +0100

Pop art enlivens some dingy old trains.

Cartoceto - A Geometric Town in Le Marche

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 24 Jul 2007 20:00:00 +0100

After breakfast we had some hours to kill, so we went to have a look at the village (which proved to be almost entirely stone and brick), on a day of record heat. It's no wonder that we had the place practically to ourselves.

Big Night Part 2: San Lorenzo Dinner at the Symposium Quattro Stagioni

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 23 Jul 2007 20:00:00 +0100

More food!

Big Night: San Lorenzo Dinner at the Symposium Quattro Stagioni

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 22 Jul 2007 20:10:00 +0100

I was one of a lucky group of people to win a dinner offered by San-Lorenzo.com as part of its marketing initiative Il Vino Lo Portiamo Noi ("we'll bring the wine"). So what if the dinner took place halfway across Italy in le Marche? The Symposium Quattro Stagioni is one of Italy's top restaurants, and the company at table seemed likely to be as enjoyable as the food.

Italian Idiom and Sayings About Animals

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 20 Jul 2007 10:30:00 +0100

In Italian, as in any language, there are many popular sayings and metaphors using animals, based on human perceptions of those animals' lives and habits.

Italian Train Graffiti 5 and 6

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 17 Jul 2007 14:00:00 +0100

Pop art enlivens some dingy old trains.

New Song: Amo Tutte le Signore

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 15 Jul 2007 20:47:15 +0100

We heard this amusing song at a local festival, sung by a live band.

Where Italians Go on Vacation

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 14 Jul 2007 13:31:15 +0100

The majority go to the beach. For at least a century, a seaside vacation has been considered healthful: during the Fascist period, ocean front "colonies" were built, where urban children could be sent to escape the grime of the cities.

Italian Train Graffiti 3 and 4

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 09 Jul 2007 15:00:00 +0100

Pop art enlivens some dingy old trains.

New Song: Stessa Spiaggia, Stesso Mare

07 Jul 2007 18:05:10 +0100

...a profound statement of traditional Italian vacation habits...

Papa Fan - A Satirist for the Modern Papacy

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 10 Jul 2007 22:00:00 +0100

Thanks to a tip from Ross, I have for some time been following a very funny fotolog by Papa Fan (papa is Italian for pope, differentiated from papà - dad - by the stress)

Restaurant La Quercia di Rosa

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 06 Jul 2007 10:30:00 +0100

Balsamic Vinegar on Everything - Yum!

Italian Garden 2007 - July Update

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 05 Jul 2007 10:30:00 +0100

Unintended Consequences

Bersaglieri

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 03 Jul 2007 17:41:15 +0100

I've been trying for years to capture a fanfara (band) of the Bersaglieri, and yesterday finally had my chance.

Still Life with Cherries - Italy's Amazing Summer Fruits

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 01 Jul 2007 14:20:00 +0100

Summer has arrived, and with it everyone's favorite fruits - along with the desire to mangiare leggero ("eat light") in the heat.

School's Out

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 29 Jun 2007 07:30:00 +0100

...in fact it's been out for several weeks now, since June 10th in Lombardia. And it doesn't re-convene til around September 10th.

Everyday Italian: Newspaper Headlines 4

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 28 Jun 2007 14:30:00 +0100

"Out" civic official and other stories.

Cheat-22, Updated

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 26 Jun 2007 19:30:00 +0100

Every child and parent you speak to in Italy is well aware that cheating goes on. Many parents will admit to having done it themselves, and tacitly or explicitly condone their own children's cheating. So how can the teachers not know that it’s occurring? ... they finally figured it out. Sort of.

An Italian Restaurant in the US

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 24 Jun 2007 17:30:00 +0100

...Done Up the Way No Italian Ever Would!

New Song: Com'e' Profondo il Mare

23 Jun 2007 18:05:10 +0100

By Lucio Dalla

Milan Cow Parade 2007

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 20 Jun 2007 19:30:00 +0100

Street art didn't fare so well in Milan. The newspapers reported that Milan set a record for the number of cows vandalized, particularly during the night that the AC Milan football club won the European championships for the seventh time..

Pandecena Milano June '07 - In Which a Cunning Plot is Hatched

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 19 Jun 2007 09:30:00 +0100

…there’s a dangerous mindset in which, when you’re drawing up a list of influencers and experts to consult, invite, etc., somehow the people who come to your mind are all male. Women aren’t consciously excluded from your thinking, but… they don’t end up on your list either, do they? And that perpetuates a vicious cycle in which men are publicly identified as the experts, and women remain on the margins, waiting to be invited to the dance...

Updated Photos: Nature Walk in Valsassina

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 19 Jun 2007 09:30:00 +0100

Last year Enrico and I went on a... well, it was too short to be a hike, especially for Enrico. But we were out a good two hours, and I took lots of pictures.

Italian Garden 2007: June Update - Updated!

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 16 Jun 2007 09:00:00 +0100

New photos!

Italian Garden 2007: June Update

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 14 Jun 2007 19:20:00 +0100

The garden has been largely left to its own devices in the last six weeks, and is thriving.

Learn Italian in Song: Fossi Figo

10 Jun 2007 15:00:10 +0100

This piece of rude irony by Elio e le Storie Tese (Elio and the Tense Stories) is a good example of the use of the conditional tense in Italian, as well as covering some common Italian slang, and some use of English words in everyday Italian.

Learn Italian in Song: Come Mai

08 Jun 2007 05:00:10 +0100

A plaintive love song by 883.

What I'm Reading

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 07 Jun 2007 09:30:00 +0100

Including a mini-review of the only one in my bedside stack that I've actually finished, Tim Parks' "A Season with Verona".

Current Events in Italy

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 06 Jun 2007 16:07:00 +0100

In case you missed it: a few months ago I began using Google Reader to share items from blogs and other news sources I read on current events and other items of interest about Italy. Most days I update the feed several times, so you'll usually got the latest news from Italy if you visit this page.

BerluscaSpam

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 05 Jun 2007 09:07:00 +0100

Silvio Wants Me to Share in His Millions?

FemCamp Bologna Part 2: Sessions and Reflections

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 31 May 2007 19:00:00 +0100

In the afternoon I attended some sessions, though I missed the most popular presentation of the day, Iocelopiulunghismo, by Elena and Feba, a funny and ironic look at (male) bloggers' obsession with their (blog) statistics.

Current Events in Italy

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 06 Jun 2007 16:07:00 +0100

BerluscaSpam

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 05 Jun 2007 09:07:00 +0100

Silvio Wants Me to Share in His Millions?

FemCamp Bologna 2007

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 28 May 2007 16:30:00 +0100

...we were startled at the number of people present, and even more at how many were men. Seeing the attendee list on the wiki, we had already been perplexed at the intent of so many men to participate in what was billed as a women's event. The guys seemed nervous, however...

Hot Chestnuts!

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 18 May 2007 06:41:15 +0100

...and a Roman accent (video).

Airport Reports: Malpensa

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 17 May 2007 06:30:00 +0100

Another day, another airport...

Learn Italian in Song: Ti Voglio Bene

14 May 2007 09:25:10 +0100

By request, a translation of a song by Tiziano Ferro.

Italian SMS-Speak

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 11 May 2007 09:30:00 +0100

Another Language "Contaminated" by Technology

Leone Candies

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 10 May 2007 08:30:00 +0100

Beautiful packaging, intriguing flavors.

Italian Milk

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 09 May 2007 08:30:00 +0100

When you move to a foreign country, you expect that the food will be different from what you're used to... It takes you by surprise, though, when even the basics are different.

Italian Baby Names - More Old-Fashioned Monickers

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 06 May 2007 17:30:00 +0100

From Edoardo Enrico to Pierluigi.

Everyday Italian: The Donkey Race (Sign)

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 03 May 2007 14:30:00 +0100

We spotted this poster in a small-town bar, for a series of festivities hosted by a local parish.

Everyday Italian: Newspaper Headlines Again

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 04 May 2007 14:30:00 +0100

How to go to "Family Day" in Rome.

Il Castello di Vezio

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 30 Apr 2007 20:41:15 +0100

Falconry high above Lake Como (video).

Everyday Italian: Signs of the Times

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 27 Apr 2007 09:30:00 +0100

A history of love (and an Italian grammar lesson) in a graffito.

Learn Italian in Song: Tanti Auguri

26 Apr 2007 13:25:10 +0100

The evergreen Raffaella Carrà expounds a very Italian view of relationships and sex.

Italian Idiom and Sayings

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 24 Apr 2007 09:30:00 +0100

The wolf's mouth, the whale's ass, and a full wine cask...

Tuo Bacio e' Come un Rock

23 Apr 2007 20:05:10 +0100

Another song in a rather silly vein by Celentano.

Milan Design Week '07

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 22 Apr 2007 22:00:00 +0100

Photos of a few fascinating objects I saw.

Learn Italian in Song: Via Con Me

19 Apr 2007 18:05:10 +0100

A Paolo Conte classic.

Everyday Italian: More Newspaper Headlines

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 18 Apr 2007 08:00:00 +0100

Updated: The local newspapers in Italy's smaller cities and towns advertise with eye-catching headline boards, designed to be as sensational as possible.

Il Popolo della Rete - Italy's Internet People

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 15 Apr 2007 20:00:00 +0100

Two of my "countries beginning with i" come together.

Italian Dictionary

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 12 Apr 2007 09:30:00 +0100

LINK FIXED! Italian words and their definitions are scattered throughout this site, but up til now there has been no easy way to find them all. This page will begin to fix that, though it's a work in progress

Garden 2007 Update

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 08 Apr 2007 10:20:00 +0100

Gardening in Italy.

Non Ci Sono Piu' Le Mezze Stagioni

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 05 Apr 2007 15:00:00 +0100

Talking about the weather in Italy.

Girl Geeks Dinner Italia

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 01 Apr 2007 21:30:00 +0100

Amanda Lorenzani (whom I'd enjoyed meeting at barCamp Roma), organized Italy's first Girl Geeks Dinner, which took place in Milan last Friday.

Learn Italian in Song: Centro di Gravita' Permanente

30 Mar 2007 14:05:10 +0100

A whimsical song with a refrain many of us (unfortunately) live by.

Aggiungi un Posto a Tavola - an Italian Musical: Sono Calmo

26 Mar 2007 06:56:10 +0100

There are a few native Italian musicals, of which the most famous is Aggiungi un Posto a Tavola ("Add Another Place at the Table"), a fable set in a mountain village somewhere in Italy, whose parish priest suddenly starts hearing the voice of God... Here the second song in the show (and this series) is translated.

Learn Italian in Song: Donne

21 Mar 2007 05:00:10 +0100

An a capella delight as recorded by Neri per Caso.

The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins is Laughing Up His Sleeve

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 17 Mar 2007 22:30:00 +0100

I wasn't in any hurry to buy this book. I had already read and admired every other book of Dawkins', and had read enough in the press to have a good idea of what this book contained, and to know that I would agree with it...

Garden 2007 - Year Three in a Long-Term Garden Project

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 16 Mar 2007 14:51:00 +0100

/They tell us that this past winter has been the warmest in Europe for 200 years. Certainly our plants are confused. Some of the bulbs I planted in October were sprouting by December...

Aggiungi un Posto a Tavola - an Italian Musical: Peccato Che Sia Peccato

14 Mar 2007 19:00:10 +0100

Why Italians Drink Bottled Water

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 13 Mar 2007 09:30:00 +0100

It's Not the Bottle - It's the Source.

Cisco Expo 2007 Italia - Bitching at the Hand That Fed Me

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 12 Mar 2007 09:30:00 +0100

It's all Lele's fault again. Or maybe Luca's. They mentioned in their blogs that they would be speaking at this year's Cisco Expo in Milan... with an aside on Milanese business fashion.

Learn Italian in Song: La Pulce d'Acqua

11 Mar 2007 20:00:10 +0100

This cheerful, Renaissance/Baroque-inspired tune by Angelo Branduardi makes a great kids' song.

Learn Italian in Song: Mi Piaci

10 Mar 2007 15:35:10 +0100

Alex Britti is fun to translate, and educational for the Italian learner. And this is a fun song with a great, silly video. Also new today: see my homepage for a link to a new newspaper sign translation.

Learn Italian in Song: Il Ballo del Mattone

09 Mar 2007 09:30:10 +0100

Another silly song from the sixties.

Aggiungi un Posto a Tavola - an Italian Musical

06 Mar 2007 19:00:10 +0100

Festa della Donna - Flowers and Male Strippers to Celebrate International Women's Day

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 05 Mar 2007 08:30:00 +0100

photo: mimosa in bloom
Many countries throughout the world (but not the US) celebrate March 8th as International Women's Day, in Italy known as the Festa della Donna.

Learn Italian in Song: Una Su un Milione

04 Mar 2007 18:37:10 +0100

Another great by Alex Britti, with an incredibly sweet video.

A School Year Abroad

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 01 Mar 2007 09:30:00 +0100

My daughter wants to go. It's not easy from here.

Learn Italian in Song: La Vasca

28 Feb 2007 20:30:10 +0100

Alex Britti's first big hit.

Learn Italian in Song: La Coppia Piu' Bella del Mondo

27 Feb 2007 17:30:10 +0100

...all the couples, from the youngest to the oldest, pile onto the dance floor, each singing lustily that they are "the most beautiful couple in the world.".

Translating - In Language, a Little Humility is a Good Thing

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — 24 Feb 2007 20:30:00 +0100

The Italian government (just before it fell) launched with great fanfare italia.it, the country's new tourism portal.

Learn Italian in Song: Una Donna per Amico

24 Feb 2007 13:00:10 +0100

The late, great Lucio Battisti again, with lyrics by Mogol.

Learn Italian in Song: Tintarella di Luna

23 Feb 2007 20:00:10 +0100

Our friend Aldo - formerly a DJ, now a priest and Augustinian friar - introduced me to the fun, silly music of Italy's 1960s with a wonderful compilation disc he made for us.

Erotika

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 09:30:10 +0100

An ad for a (possibly mythical) Italian porn site. Soundtrack not safe for work, but the video is actually totally clean. Visit the web page for a translation of the punchline.

Learn Italian in Song: Sandokan

21 Feb 2007 08:19:10 +0100

Someone ended up on my site searching for these lyrics. Sandokan, the Tiger of Malaysia, is an old favorte of mine, so I'm happy to fill this gap.

Learn Italian in Song: 7000 Caffe'

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 19:37:10 +0100

Another great by Alex Britti.

Lecco & the Chocolate Factory - Sweetness and Dark on Lake Como

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 16:51:22 +0100

Some evenings, stepping off the train as it arrives in Lecco, I can smell rich, dark chocolate. It's not a hallucination...

Learn Italian in Song: Libera Nos Domine

A song for our times, though recorded nearly 30 years ago.

Learn Italian in Song: Il Pescatore

Wed, 7 Feb 2007 19:37:10 +0100

An old favorite of mine, written and first recorded by Pierangelo Bertoli.

Learn Italian in Song: Parole Parole

Mon, 5 Feb 2007 19:37:10 +0100

A classic, one of Mina's greatest hits ever. You've probably heard it, though possibly in another language.

Learn Italian in Song: I Bambini Fanno Ooh

Sun, 4 Feb 2007 12:37:10 +0100

This was a big hit last year. It's so sweet it made me cry. The video is beautiful, too.

Learn Italian in Song: Eri Piccola Cosi'

Sat, 3 Feb 2007 13:15:21 +0100

Buscaglione invented a stage persona drawn from Damon Runyon, Mickey Spillane, et al - the cigarette-puffing, whiskey-drinking tough with a weakness for bad women. This was one of his most popular songs.

Learn Italian in Song: Gianna

Fri, 2 Feb 2007 17:48:22 +0100

This song is difficult to translate because it's essentially nonsense (or is it?). But it's a fun, bouncy tune that I can't resist. And there's a video!

Il Muro di Sormano

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:41:15 +0100

On a sunny Sunday in January, we drove up to the triangolo Lariano - the peninsula jutting into y-shaped Lake Como, whose tip is Bellagio. It's an area famous in Italian bike racing history.

Video on the page!

Italian Pop Songs - Videos Added!

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:53:23 +0100

I just had a lot of fun adding YouTube videos to my translations of Italian pop songs. Now you can go have fun watching them!

Immigration and Identity in Europe

comments@beginningwithi.com — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 10:37:10 +0100

The assassination of Pim Fortuyn, a Dutch politician, provides food for thought. Fortuyn was "a politician who rejected multiculturalism, called for an end to immigration and excoriated Islam as a 'backward culture' for its intolerance of homosexuals, attitude to women and more" and "argue[d] fiercely that immigrants should integrate more wholeheartedly with the host nation." (revised and expanded from an article I wrote in 2002)

Asilo Nido - Daycare in Italy

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 19:30:00 +0100

photo: Ross at daycare

An article I wrote four years ago, considerably revised and expanded.

Oh, My Darling Clementine

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 09:30:00 +0100

Luscious winter fruit in Italy.

Updated: Very Superstitious

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 19:30:00 +0100

The hat on the bed mystery is explained!

The Boys of barCamp - An Affectionate Rebuttal to Male Conference Syndrome

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:30:00 +0100

If all tech conferences were stocked with this many good-looking men, more women would probably go to them!

A Woman's Work - Daily Routines in Italy

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:30:00 +0100

When somebody asks "How are you?" my usual response is "Tired". And that's been my usual response for as long as I can remember. How did I get to this state?

The Fountainheads

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 09:30:00 +0100

Not every Italian town is famously picturesque, but, even in those that are not, the attentive observer can find a wealth of beautiful detail and decoration. (I've already mentioned the doorknockers.) So here's a collection of heads on fountains from all over Italy (not necessarily dull ones).

Close Neighbors

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 20:47:00 +0100

Almost everybody in Italy lives very close to somebody else. In these circumstances, you had better learn to love thy neighbor as thyself - or at the very least to get along with him - because you've got him practically in your lap.

Requesting Reader Reviews and Input

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 20:47:00 +0100

I’m thinking about writing a(nother) book, based on or at least related to (at least some of) what I already write about on my site. However, that covers a lot of ground, from Italy to India to the Internet, and I’m trying to figure out where to focus. So I'd love it it you would come to my site and answer a few questions!

Updated: Making Room - Italian Stratagems for Living in Small Spaces

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 09:30:00 +0100

Added a photo, in case you were wondering what a cameretta a ponte looks like.

Flowers in the Windows

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 19:30:00 +0100

One of the many things I enjoy about Italy is the flowers. Italians love flowers, and not just in gardens: they grow them in every available corner. Particularly in the mountains, the displays can be spectacular.

Updated: Italian Street Names

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 09:30:00 +0100

Italian street names can be repetitive, but at least they're not boring.

Family Portraits

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 9 Jan 2007 21:00:00 +0100

Traditions and Memories in America and Italy

Lord of the Smoke Rings

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 9 Jan 2007 21:00:00 +0100

Italians have not been slow to join the phenomenon of user-generated media and fanvids.

Everyday Italian: Newspaper Headlines

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 2 Jan 2007 19:00:00 +0100

The local newspapers in Italy's smaller cities and towns advertise with eye-catching headline boards, designed to be as sensational as possible. Usually one board reports two headlines of the day or week, and sometimes the juxtaposition is unintentionally funny. Another new way to learn Italian!

Out With the Old

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 11:00:00 +0100

It's an Italian custom at the new year to replace old, worn out housewares. Traditionally you threw the the old stuff out the window at midnight on New Year's, to signify your readiness to welcome the new year into your home.

Everyday Italian: Signs of the Times

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 15:40:00 +0100

A new feature, a new way to learn Italian: through signs seen on the street.

Song Lyrics: Mamma e Papa' by Alex Britti

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 10:00:00 +0100

Again, it could only happen in Italy: a pop/blues singer pens a love song to his parents.

Al Cenacolo - A "Last Supper" in Chiavenna

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 20:00:00 +0100

Yesterday we had our family holiday big meal out at Al Cenacolo ("at the Last Supper") in Chiavenna. Having gone that far from home, it was a big decision not to go to our beloved Lanterna Verde, but, because this place had been recommended to us by Dr. Maulé, we decided to take a chance - and were not disappointed.

A "Typical" Italian Christmas

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 14:30:00 +0100

Of course , our family is far from typically Italian....

Photo of the Day: Tortellini in Brodo

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 17:20:00 +0100

Milan's Sant'Ambrogio Church by Night

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 10:00:00 +0100

Though not as grand as the Duomo, Sant'Ambrogio, named for Milan's patron saint, is older, and decorated with bits of Roman architecture even older than itself.

Viva La Mamma

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 09:00:00 +0100

Another pop song translation. Only in Italy would you get a pop song celebrating dear old mom!

Cheat-22

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 17:00:00 +0100

Every child and parent you speak to in Italy is well aware that cheating goes on, and many will admit to having done it themselves. So how can the teachers not know that it’s occurring?

Italian Internet Broken

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 08:16:00 +0100

ADSL users all over Italy are complaining about problems: slow (or no) connections, some sites that can't be reached, or take several tries to get to, emails that can't be sent...

How English Sounds to Italians

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 01:34:00 +0100

A pop song from 1974, sung by Adriano Celentano, with Raffaella Carra' and a cast of thousands.

vlogEurope 2006

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 8 Dec 2006 15:34:00 +0100

A text report with a few photos, and extensive links to (other people's) videos. Even if you're not interested in videoblogging, if you want to look at nice footage of Milan and Lake Como, there's a lot of it available from here.

Rainy Night in Milan

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 7 Dec 2006 17:34:00 +0100

A few photos taken in Piazza Duomo.

Cheating

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 5 Dec 2006 09:14:00 +0100

I have written before about my shock in finding that cheating is routine among Italian students at all levels of education, given the blind eye by many of their teachers, and condoned by their parents (“That’s how you get ahead in life.”)...

Oldies-But-Goodies Department: Castelli

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 4 Dec 2006 09:14:00 +0100

If you haven't been following my newsletter/site since the beginning, you might have missed some good older articles (there's so much on my site that I don't expect anyone to have waded through it all!). First in this series of buried treasures is an article I wrote in 2001 about Castelli, a town in the central hills of Abruzzo famous for its ceramics. I have slightly revised and expanded this article, and re-present it to you now.

Birthday Weekend in Bormio

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 19:36:00 +0100

Wine, Food, and Hot Water - Who Could Ask for Anything More?

Italian Seduction Slang

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 09:40:00 +0100

In honor of my earlier article on "Pincing Italians," I've added some slang terms related to seduction: lumare, rimorchiare, cuccare...

Learn Italian in Song: Sentimento Pentimento

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:04:00 +0100

A newish favorite from Neri per Caso.

Tips for Travellers: Using the Milan Metro

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:30:00 +0100

A work in progress, but already useful if you're travelling to Milan.

Telecom Italia: The Never-Ending Story

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 9 Nov 2006 12:16:00 +0100

I thought the ADSL line had stabilized in the last few days, but when I went to bed last night I noticed that it was out again. When I woke up this morning, it was still out...

Pinching Italians

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 2 Nov 2006 09:30:00 +0100

"We've been told it is customary and acceptable for men in Italy to pinch women's bottoms. Is this true and, if it is, what is the customary and acceptable response?"

Caffeination

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 1 Nov 2006 15:30:00 +0100

Although Italy has some of the best coffee in the world, Italians don't drink nearly as much of it as you might think.

Some (More) of Our Favorite Restaurants

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 13:24:00 +0100

Finally got around to going through my stack of cards from restaurants I've liked (in Italy and elsewhere) and adding a few to my restaurants page.

Getting Out

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 19:47:00 +0100

I recently ran across a reference to a forthcoming new book, “Getting Out: Your Guide to Leaving America,” by Mark Ehrman. Here’s the blurb for it from Amazon: Had enough? Whether you find the government oppressive, the economy spiraling out of control, or if you simply want adventure, you're not alone. In increasing numbers, the idea is talked about openly: Expatriate.

Learn Italian in Song - Translation of "Azzurro"

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 19:32:00 +0100

An old favorite from Adriano Celentano.

Rome - The Pantheon (photos)

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 10:00:00 +0100

Another place where it's hard to take a bad photo.

Rome - Trajan's Forum by Night (photos)

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 17:30:00 +0100

My digital camera's reaction to the lighting spectra was so interesting that I no longer remember what these scenes really looked like.

Roman Street Signs (photos)

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 19:30:00 +0100

How to say "No littering" with maximum elegance.

Autumn in Varenna (photos)

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 17:30:00 +0100

A gray autumn day on Lake Como.

Rome - St. Peter's

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 17:30:00 +0100

Photos from the Imaging in Italy course.

The Roman Forum

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 18:12:00 +0100

Photos from the Imaging in Italy course.

What Knockers!

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 9 Oct 2006 10:00:00 +0100

A beautiful windy Sunday on Lake Como - perfect weather for kite boarding, wind surfing, and sailing.

Lake Como Film Loop

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 8 Oct 2006 12:30:00 +0100

A gallery of panoramic shots of Lake Como from all angles, in all seasons and weathers.

Buying a Car

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 4 Oct 2006 09:30:00 +0100

On Monday Enrico brought home our new car, a Fiat Stilo. It took him a month of intensive research to eventually return to his first, instinctive choice – which is simply the next generation of the Fiat Tipo turbo diesel that served us (more or less faithfully) for 13 years, which was itself a replacement for the Fiat Uno handed down by his parents.

San Pellegrino - The Remains of the Grand Hotel

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 20:08:00 +0100

A relic of the heyday of San Pellegrino, the Grand Hotel was (quite literally) a watering place for the wealthy. It's an Art Nouveau treasure, built in 1905, but now sadly going to ruin, its fixtures gradually being auctioned off...

Learn Italian in Song

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 07:54:00 +0100

A friend told me that she learned Italian via the lyrics to the songs of a pop singer she likes. My husband, as a teenager, was powerfully motivated to learn English so he could understand the lyrics to Jesus Christ Superstar. So, to aid in your Italian studies, here is a side-by-side translation of a popular Italian song.

Vacation Habits - Now! With Audio!

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 21:54:00 +0100

An audio version of this article (read by the author) has been added. When I first visited Italy in 1987 or '88, Italians still took their traditional long vacation - practically everyone was on holiday for the entire month of August, all crowded together on the beaches or in the mountains...

Photos: Montorfano and Its Romanesque Church

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 19:44:00 +0100

In November of 2004 we visited Montorfano, a village near Lake Mergozzo, just north of Lago Maggiore.

Symbols

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 09:14:00 +0100

Israel, and Italy’s Jewish community, were angry when the Israeli flag was burned during April 25th Liberation Day festivities in Milan. The burners were Italian extreme leftists, who tend to be very pro-Palestine and anti-Israel...

Photos: The Textures of an Italian Alpine Village

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 10:35:00 +0100

Soriano is a tiny Alpine village a few hundred meters above Lake Como's western shore. It's not a tourist spot; there's nothing to see but a spectacular view of the lake below. Or is there?

Sunday Hike: Canete to Tabia Dasci

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 10:35:00 +0100

On Sunday Enrico and I woke up early, not wanting to waste what promised to be a beautiful end-of-summer day.

Telecom Italia: "If Only I Had a Brain"

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 9 Sep 2006 10:35:00 +0100

As always in Italy, it's not what you know - it's who you know....

Vacation Habits

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 5 Sep 2006 14:00:00 +0100

When I first visited Italy in 1987 or '88, Italians still took their traditional long vacation - practically everyone was on holiday for the entire month of August, all crowded together on the beaches or in the mountains...

Just a Little Walk

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 4 Sep 2006 14:49:00 +0100

Gyms bore me and cost money, but who needs a gym? We live on a mountain.

Space Invaders

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 3 Sep 2006 11:24:00 +0100

All creatures great and small - want to live with us!

Safety Tips for Travellers: Milan's Central Station

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 2 Sep 2006 18:14:00 +0100

Almost anywhere in the world, large railway stations are dangerous. Large crowds of travellers, many of them new to the place and a bit bewildered, offer tempting targets for pickpocketing and other crime. Milan’s Central Station is no different, and, especially lately, is even worse...

The Telecom Italia Saga Continues

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 21:40:00 +0100

If you want to weep until you laugh, you can read the ongoing saga of our relations with Telecom Italia. The next part of the story begins today...

Italian Slang - Can't Get Enough!

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 21:40:00 +0100

...the handbook continues to grow, with a little help from my friends. Note: If strong language in Italian OR English offends you, this page is not for you.

Revenge of the 'Shrooms

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 21:00:00 +0100

Some Italians pay the ultimate price in their quest for fresh wild mushrooms.

Keeping Cool, Italian Style

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 20:45:00 +0100

As I've mentioned (below), although it's hot here in the summer, Italy's not big on air conditioning, preferring to rely on older methods for keeping cool.

Post-Game Reflections

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 20:45:00 +0100

Enrico and I watched the World Cup final with our friends Ravil and Amanda; Ross was with her own friends. Our home crowd wasn't typical for Italy (or anywhere else, for that matter)...

Tips for Travellers: Finding a Toilet in Italy

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 14:45:00 +0100

As every traveller knows, exploring an exotic new place is wonderful and fascinating - until you need a toilet. Then the strangeness can be intimidating, and cause delays at the worst possible moment.

Watching Football - Anxiously!

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 14:45:00 +0100

Waiting to see who wins the World Cup.

Watching Football

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 4 Jul 2006 20:30:00 +0100

I have been living in Italy long enough for this to be my fourth World Cup. And, to my own surprise, I've grown to enjoy it and actually care about who wins, even though most of the finer details still escape me. Aside from a passing interest in Olympic equestrian events (when I can get them) and figure skating, World Cup football is the only sport I watch. So the experience of being actively interested in a sporting event is a new country for me to explore.

Wall Graffiti - Modern Italian Art

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 09:30:00 +0100

Snapped in Milan last night with my cellphone, some beautiful urban art

Swing Crash - Music and Dance in Como

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:30:00 +0100

Last night I had the great pleasure of seeing the Royal Crown Revue perform in Como, as part of the Swing Crash dance and music festival.

Pursuing a Dream of Italy

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 7 Jun 2006 19:30:00 +0100

I admire the courage of foreigners who decide to be here.

Comings and Goings

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 7 Jun 2006 19:30:00 +0100

Vistors and visiting.

Graffiti: If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 19 May 2006 13:40:00 +0100

Italy has long suffered the plague of graffiti: the 30,000 year old rock carvings in Valcamonica were embellished milennia later by Roman soldiers, and the Romans' monuments in turn have been scratched up by centuries of tourists. But not until recent years have graffitists had access to spray paint.

Italian Workplace Safety

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 19 May 2006 13:40:00 +0100

I'm learning some new things about workers' rights in Italy.

KidSpace

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 12 May 2006 21:15:00 +0100

Kids in Italy can be kids in real public spaces.

Italian School Culture

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 12 May 2006 21:15:00 +0100

One interesting and very successful aspect of Italian schools is how the entire system works to promote social cohesion among the students.

To Flush or Not to Flush?

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 12 May 2006 21:15:00 +0100

Italians disparage Ken Livingstone's water-saving measures.

Female Genital Mutilation

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 5 May 2006 20:00:00 +0100

Italy enforces a new law against it.

Cambio di Stagione

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 5 May 2006 10:00:00 +0100

Changing seasons in Italy.

Talking Back to Politicians

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 10:00:00 +0100

A lesson in modern Italian.

Travelogue: Mantova - Video

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 9 Mar 2006 21:30:00 +0100

Enrico and I went to Mantova for a quick weekend getaway - be sure to read the accompanying text as well!

Crimes of Opinion

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 10:17:00 +0100

Italy's Laws on Opinions You're Not Free to State

Torino Olympics

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 10:17:00 +0100

An Italian cultural perspective.

Italian Slang

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 10:17:00 +0100

Linguistic and funny mirrors into a culture.

Food, Glorious Food

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 11:23:00 +0100

Yesterday we went to a restaurant trade show - lots of yummy stuff to eat, as well as look at.

A Video Comment

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 17:05:00 +0100

...on current events in Italy.

Video Postcard from Lecco

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 17:05:00 +0100

A sunny winter day on Lake Como.

Electoral Appeal (translated satire)

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 17:30:00 +0100

This piece of satire , circulating widely online in its Italian original, satirizes the letters - and even glossy magazines! - that Berlusconi has sent out to the Italian electorate from time to time throughout his political career. I have translated it pretty much as it stands, and have not (yet) verified the facts for myself - but I suspect they are largely accurate. When I have time to find verifying information online, I will link to it.

Would You Like an Encyclopedia with That?

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 12:50:00 +0100

Surprising Things You Can Buy in Italy's Newsstands.

Italian Complaints

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 12:50:00 +0100

Strikes and Protests are Frequent Disruptions in Italy (expect proof to be broadcast worldwide during the Olympics).

Italy in Decline: Umberto Eco Joins the Chorus

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 6 Feb 2006 10:36:00 +0100

A few quotes from the author on the eve of publication of his new collection of essays.

Pictures of Italy

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 5 Feb 2006 10:36:00 +0100

Photos of: shopping in Greve del Chianti, the Ferrari museum in Maranello, the ferry boat trip from Lecco to Bellagio. Linked from my home page, so please start there.

Italian Television Politics

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 2 Feb 2006 16:00:00 +0100

Censorship and silliness.

Snow!

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 19:04:00 +0100

This footage was shot around 11 am; eight hours later, snow keeps falling - we're expected to get up to 70 cm.

Flying Over the Swiss Alps

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:25:00 +0100

I've seen this view many times (and it's always astounding), but never captured it on film before.

Life (in Australia) with an Italian Exchange Student

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 13:15:00 +0100

Guest column

Christmas in Lecco

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 3 Nov 2005 20:30:00 +0100

Holiday greetings from Lake Como.

Kids These Days...

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 19:25:00 +0100

Italy's Young People, and Their Manners

Italian Christmas Carols

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 15:00:00 +0100

Update: Feed fixed, M4V (iPod) version is actually online now! (Sorry!) Italians don't seem to be as thrilled about carol-singing as us Anglo-Saxon types, but a few are so enthusiastic about singing of any kind that they make the effort to gather friends for a seasonal songfest. Like our friend Roberto.

Winter Thoughts

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 9 Dec 2005 18:40:00 +0100

Italy's Less-Travelled Season

Sunday Sing-Along

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 15:30:00 +0100

High culture in everyday Italian life.

La Transumanza - The Sequel

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 15:30:00 +0100

Same scene, one week later...

I vs I

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 15:52:00 +0100

Thoughts on the futures of Italy and India.

La Transumanza - Moving the Herd

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 15:30:00 +0100

I usually think we're living in the suburbs, but every now and then something persuades me that we actually live in the country. Today, it's the transumanza - moving the herds from high summer pastures to lower altitudes for winter.

Collecting Points

Tue, 1 Nov 2005 14:00:00 +0100

Italy still does Green Stamps.

"Italian Neighbors"

Sat, 29 Oct 2005 11:00:00 +0100

Review of Tim Parks' book about ordinary life in a small Italian town.

Postcard from Villa Monastero

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 16 Oct 2005 18:30:00 +0100

A beautiful day in Varenna, on Lake Como.

Motorini

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 16:50:00 +0100

Italian kids going to school on motorini (scooters).

A New School

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 10:30:00 +0100

Our daughter's further adventures in Italian education.

Corteo Manzoniano 2005

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 00:00:00 +0100

A Travelling Show of Italian Classic "I Promessi Sposi". This year's Corteo Manzoniano featured many of the same actors and costumes as last year, but added a new twist, winding through the streets of Lecco at night, by torchlight.

Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 24 Jul 2005 00:00:00 +0100

Life in Italy after the London bombings.

Marching Band Competition

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 9 Jul 2005 00:00:00 +0100

Italia Marching Show Bands championship in Lecco.

I Love a Parade

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 4 Jul 2005 00:00:00 +0100

The Concord Blue Devils drum corps come to Lecco.

Transport Surprises

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 00:00:00 +0100

On a trip to Bellagio, we saw some unusual forms of transportation.

And She Was

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 9 Jun 2005 00:00:00 +0100

A brisk walk home, to music.

Video Snips

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 3 Jun 2005 00:00:00 +0100

Very short videos. All about transport, for some reason...

Java

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 00:00:00 +0100

A rainy Saturday afternoon - perfect time for a cup of espresso.

Commuting Kids

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 10 Apr 2005 00:00:00 +0100

Italian kids often commute long distances to school by bus and train. Here's part of the daily flow into Lecco.

The Hog Shop

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 00:00:00 +0100

La Bottega del Maiale, a shop in Lecco specializing in pork products, and many other wonderful things. Rated N-V: Non-Vegetarian!

Moving in Italy

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 27 Sep 2004 14:00:00 +0100

Some of the steps involved in buying a home and moving into it in Italy:.

Italian Accents

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 12 Dec 2002 10:30:00 +0100

"Stanlio, non fare lo stupeedo!" - When an American speaks Italian with a particularly bad accent, Italians often refer to Stanlio e Ollio: Laurel and Hardy, whose accents in the Italian versions of their films are legendarily hilarious, full of flat Rs and words stressed on the wrong syllable.

Smog Days - Italy's Pollution Problem

Fri, 1 Feb 2002 18:10:12 +0100

Northern Italy normally gets enough rain in the winter to wash away the poisons belched into the air by oil-burning heating systems and far too many cars. But not this year: we went nearly sixty days with no rain at all. As we enjoyed the sunshine, the poisonous gases and particulates accumulated to dangerous levels.

National Self-Esteem

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 16 Oct 2001 10:30:00 +0100

Can a country have an inferiority complex?

Some Thoughts on Extremism

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Fri, 12 Oct 2001 10:30:00 +0100

Talking with a friend about the events of September 11th, he mentioned that many devout Muslims, and even Hindus, are offended by some things they see on Western television.

Exact Change Required

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Thu, 1 Nov 2001 10:30:00 +0100

One thing that baffles me about Italy is the inability of retail establishments - or anyone who has to take cash payment - to make change. This in a society where most store purchases are made in cash!

How to Eat Like an Italian

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Sun, 19 Aug 2001 10:30:00 +0100

You've probably heard about the “Mediterranean diet,” and know that it involves a lot of carbohydrates, olive oil, tomatoes, and other fresh vegetables, as well as lots of good red wine. So what does a typical Italian meal look like?

Volterra - An Ancient Town in Tuscany

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Wed, 15 Aug 2001 10:30:00 +0100

The old Roman roads still serve, though they've been repaved a few times in the last few millennia...

Pope-o-Vision: The Italian Media's Obsession with the Vatican

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Tue, 31 Jul 2001 10:30:00 +0100

In Italy, we don't have television - we have Pope-o-vision.

English Not Spoken Here

comments@beginningwithi.com (Deirdré Straughan) — Mon, 30 Jul 2001 10:30:00 +0100

Italians Struggle with the World's Most Useful Language