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Nomi Derivati Posted by Serena on Jun 14, 2011
Nomi derivati are words that derive from nomi primitivi. Let’s have a look at some examples: – Pane (bread) is the nome primitivo from which the following words are derived: panettiere (baker) panetteria (bakery or baker’s) panificio (bakery or baker’s) panino (bread roll, literally a small bread) pangrattato (breadcrumbs) panettone (Italian Christmas cake, literally ‘big…
Le Lucertole Italiane Posted by Serena on Jun 11, 2011
In my last blog “I Serpenti Italiani” we had a look at the most common snakes that you are likely to see here in Italy. Let’s continue with our reptile theme and find out about le più comuni delle lucertole italiane (the most common Italian lizards). The two lizards that you will see most often…
I Serpenti Italiani Posted by Serena on Jun 8, 2011
In my recent blog “I Serpenti che Arrivano dal Cielo” I wrote about the popular urban myth concerning snakes being dropped from helicopters into the Italian countryside. We do, of course, have lots of snakes in Italy, but the mass of tourists who visit Venezia, Roma, Firenze and so on, are very unlikely to see…
Le Vipere che Arrivano dal Cielo Posted by Serena on Jun 5, 2011
A few days ago we met an English couple who were renting a holiday house here in our village. The couple told us that they’d clambered down the rocky slope to the river Magra near the ponte medievale (Medieval bridge), and whilst pushing their way through brambles they had been confronted by an enormous two…
Giugno Posted by Serena on Jun 2, 2011
The name of the month giugno (June) comes from the Roman goddess Juno, wife of the god Jupiter. Festività (Festivals): On the 2nd of June we celebrate la Festa Nazionale della Repubblica. In 1946 the Italian people held a referendum on whether to remain a kingdom or to become a republic. The decision was made…
Musica Mattutina – Morning Music Posted by Serena on May 30, 2011
Not having regular nine to five jobs, we tend to have our own orario (timetable). However, even if we do need to alzarci presto (get up early) we rarely have to use la sveglia (the alarm clock) because every morning a series of reliable events take place that make sure we don’t stay in bed…
Il Pino Solitario Posted by Serena on May 27, 2011
Recently we went to visit my cousin who lives in Santa Margherita Ligure, near Genova. As it was a nice day, we decided to go out for a walk after lunch. My cousin suggested we walked to Portofino, 6 km away along the beautiful Ligurian coast. On our way to Portofino we passed uno scoglio…