I’ve always disliked the ardent silliness that goes on at pre-wedding ‘hens’ nights and bachelor parties. In Australia and the UK these night time facades in the past have resulted in cruel practical jokes and lewd conduct that is often regretted the morning after. Thank goodness these types of parties have become a thing of…
Continue reading ➞ The ‘hen’s night’ Italian style
I recently met a lovely Canadian lady who was complaining about the lack of air conditioning in Sicily. I had totally forgotten why Sicilian’s and Italian’s in general are so anti artificial cooling systems in the summer. I have passed through so many humid summers it must have fried my memory when it comes to…
Continue reading ➞ Why do Sicilians fear Air conditioning?
The Mount Etna volcano is a dominant force on this island of Sicily and is a living part of the Sicilian landscape. Etna’s sixty by forty kilometre base is the heart of the island and its three thousand three hundred metre tall shadow has given birth to this fertile Sicilian land, rich in mythology. The…
Continue reading ➞ Etna’s flatulence
Summer has finally arrived here in Sicily, even if it’s been a chilly summer so far with overcast mornings and rainstorms. We’ve only just been able to put away our long sleeves but they are still within our reach as we are frightened to get a chill. I’m defiantly a lover of the summer and…
Continue reading ➞ First day at the beach
Italy is a country with an abundance of water, where you find beautifully refreshing water fountains with drinkable water for everyone even in the biggest cities. The result is the beautiful art work that is used to celebrate the gift of water which we can see throughout Italy. The water fountain becomes an elaborate altar,…
Continue reading ➞ The humble water fountain
It is very Sicilian to say someone is as good as bread.There is nothing better or pure and simple as freshly baked bread. Lui e’ buono come pane means he is as ‘good as gold’ as Australians say. Sicilians are less materialistic in their turn of phrase, history has made them humble and appreciate the gift…
Continue reading ➞ Buono come’ il pane : As good as bread
I’ve recently had a strange first encounter with the Italian school system after taking my son Mattie to kindergarden. It was quite Felliniesque, which seems apt to life in Sicily really. I now understand where Federico Fellini got his off beat style, I think he simply took things from everyday life and put it under…
Continue reading ➞ Fellini inspired Kindergarden
Of all the major cities in Sicily, Messina is the one with which I have the most familiarity, simply because it is physically closer to Sinagra. But apart from this I find that Palermo is too decrepit and full of crime, Catania is just plain dirty and dangerous and the others are simply too difficult…
Since being back in Sicily my main concern amongst many others is making sure my two and a half year old son keeps speaking English. I’ve read several books about raising bi-lingual children, something which is easily achieved with a little bit of dedication. At this stage of development my son will pick up language…
Continue reading ➞ Teaching my son English
One fringe benefit of living in Italy is the wonderful world of Italian fashion. I love plunging into glossy Italian magazines to see what lovely new styles Italian designers have come up with for each new season. It’s a girly thing. Flicking through June’s Myself magazine (I know the title doesn’t exactly scream Italy but…
Continue reading ➞ Italian fringe benefit: fashion
I’ve always been surprised at the average Italians innate racism, sexism and homophobia. I’m certain there are plenty of enlightened Italians out there but the majority I’ve met are more of the red neck kind. An example is the debate during the recent European soccer championships about whether or not the Italian Mario Balotelli could…
Continue reading ➞ What do you mean Balotelli isn’t Italian?
You must be logged in to post a comment.