So, blogging! It’s interesting stuff. To be honest most blogs are rambles by teenagers or people who think they’re teenagers. Search through the blogs in Blogspot, Journalspace, etc. and most of the information is banal, to say the least. You might find some like minded people, but mostly you don’t – or maybe I’m looking in the wrong places – or maybe there aren’t any people who think like me (which wouldn’t really surprise me).
Well, many things are happening!
First, we have been offered (and accepted) a beautiful house in Val Curone – halfway between Milano and Genoa, about one hours travel from Milano) – which is almost like Tuscany but without the Brits or the tourists! Absolutely fantastic! We have got it for the whole month of August and, originally, when we accepted it, I was going to do my last lesson on 31st July and my next lesson on 31st August – so it would be a whole month in the country!
Well, it’s all happening here! Today is Sunday. We are having some beautiful weather right now. It’s like spring, which is fantastic.
However, yesterday, when Rufus and I were coming back from the park in the morning, there were tons of Police with riot gear Continue reading
Italians have a passion for food. But the passion they have is incredible.
On the plus side, most of the food you get here is fresh – made with fresh ingredients (and you can taste it). In a restaurant, the menu will say if any of the dishes contain frozen food. Getting a take-away pizza (which we do from time to time, from the restaurant at the back of the flat) means that it is cooked that instant using dough made that day and with produce bought that day. Everyone here eats pizza from a restaurant. They have the best (wood or, sometimes, gas fired) pizza ovens and the cost of a pizza – about €6 – €8, sometimes less! Why cook it yourself?
I love Italy. I love the Italians. I think I love the Italian way of life, but it’s more complicated than it seems at first, which is to be expected. I love the culture. I love the buildings (and, in particular, many buildings in Milan). I expected much more red-tape, but, so far, I have been pleasantly surprised.
BUT, don’t go thinking that living in Italy is just like living in the UK, but with better food and more red-tape. It’s not the same at all. Of course, I’m sure you can go to certain areas (Tuscany, maybe), where there will be enclaves of British folk living their British way of life, but in a beautiful setting and where, should you wish, you need not worry too much about actually living with the Italians.
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Hi everyone. Happy New Year, Buon Anno e Auguri!
OK, so I know it’s been a while since our last update, but we have had a very busy year and time just slipped away.
However, not having the ability to email for most of the last month or so – and particularly now (something up with the hosting company) means I have a chance to sit and write something. And now (as you can see) I have the ability to blog – which is just fantastic. Will that make me better in the future – we shall see!