Archive for December, 2013
Il Cenone di Capodanno Posted by Serena on Dec 30, 2013
For most Italians New Year wouldn’t be the same without il cotechino con le lenticchie (cotechino with lentils). According to popular folklore, eating this dish for either il Cenone di Capodanno (The Big New Year’s Eve Dinner) or on the First of January will bring good luck to the rest of the year. Il cotechino…
Apologies! Posted by Serena on Dec 26, 2013
When I lived in England I used to teach several classes a week of Italian and also Yoga classes for adults. The courses used to start in September with ten to fifteen students per class, but by mid November they were reduced to three to four students per class. This wasn’t due, as I thought…
Barzellette Natalizie Posted by Geoff on Dec 24, 2013
For your entertainment … a few Italian Christmas barzellette (jokes). Doctor my reindeers are sick … How did you do it doctor? What did you give them? Voltarenne! In Italy we have an anti inflammatory medicine called Voltaren. This joke plays on the words voltare (to turn) and renne (reindeers). Per Natale, Giorgio regala…
A Merry Sexy Christmas Posted by Geoff on Dec 19, 2013
Let’s take a break from all the Italian Christmas stereotypes, il presepe, il panettone, Babbo Natale, la Befana, and spice things up a bit. I found an interesting little article in the newspaper Corriere della Sera which I thought you might enjoy. But first, click on the photo below to watch a video entitled: L’albero…
Forks on Strike Posted by Serena on Dec 17, 2013
For the past ten days Italian news has been dominated by lo sciopero dei Forconi (the strike of the Forks): the strikers blocked railway stations and motorways creating great difficulty for both public and goods transport, and protested in the main piazzas of several cities, throwing stones and paper bombs at administrative buildings and the…
Facebook – The Top Ten Hot Topics in Italy Posted by Geoff on Dec 13, 2013
Do you use Facebook? Personally, I never touched it until I emigrated to Italy and discovered that it could be an easy, non e-mail (e-mail is for work!), means of keeping up with family and friends. And now that I’ve learned how to block most of the stupid ads, and other rubbish that doesn’t interest…
Getting out of the wrong side of the bed in Tuscany Posted by Serena on Dec 10, 2013
Are you a morning person? I’m not, as Geoff will testify, and this morning I woke up con la luna storta! To make matters worse, I didn’t have a single idea for a blog, until Geoff took the chance of getting his head bitten off and suggested I write something about being in a bad…