All Roads Lead To Pecetto: July 2010

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Keep An Eye On Italy

Who wants to listen to a podcast?

I do! I love podcasts. A really great one I discovered all about life in Italy called Eye On Italy. It was put together by 3 bloggers who are friends that live in 3 different cities and once a week they get together via phone and podcast about all different aspects of life in Italy. It's fun, smart, free, and informative. They always have a interesting guest on like writer David Lebovitz.
I'm hooked! Check it out here.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Paris, Listen If You Don't Like McDonald's Then Stop Eating There!

I'm sorry Paris that a McDonald's has opened at The Louvre. I know your angry and I hear you. I agree with you that the golden arches are not what I want to see when traveling through the city of lights. But here's the thing, Paris, France has become McDonald's biggest market outside of the US*. 30 new Mc-restaurants opened last year in France and fed 450 million customers which is up 11% from the previous year*. This means there must be something tasty on the the McFrench menu...what is on the French McMenu?
Well, They do have beer.

There's the Croque McDo, a ham and melted swiss cheese on toast sandwich.

Pomme Frites, of course. With a white gravy-like sauce. I guess the French don't do ketchup.

And the Petit Plaisir (small pleasures)

Some of that stuff looks good and I must not be the only one who thinks that because every 12 months, one out of two French people visit McDonald's at least once. Annually, they consume 22 million McDonald's salads, 60,000 tons of French fries, 32,000 tons of beef patties, 12,000 tons of chicken, and 600 million buns.* It kinda sounds like you like it.

So Paris, if you don't want to eat McNuggets after seeing the Mona Lisa then stop complaining how Americans are ruining your culture and stop eating at the most famous American fast food restaurant, I'm just saying.
*Those stats came from here and from here.

Friday, July 23, 2010

What Makes a Good Tour Guide?

I have been asked to do a podcast tour guide of Torino. What I think is interesting and what other tourists might think is interesting could be quite different. So, my dear blog readers, I need your help. Tell me what you think makes a great tour guide. What do you find interesting? Art history? Architecture? Food highlights? Let me know and thanks everybody!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

More Americans Singing in Italian

Louis Armstrong touring Italy in 1968 singing in Italian. How awesome!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Photo Story: Taking It to the Streets

The street performers in Torino are quite eclectic. Just like any other city, they come in all shapes, sizes, and talents but I have seen some quite unique performers here. Here are a few of my favorites.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Talken' Salad Post

The Italian school of thought on salads is so completely different then the American one. We (Americans) have no problems with adding battered and fried chicken fingers, butter covered toasted cubes of bread, and buttermilky herb dressings. To that I say yum and add some cheese please! BUT Italians actually see salads as something healthy to eat. Just look at this cafe window I wondered past yesterday.

Everything fresh or grilled, tons of veggies not a fried thing in site. The only dressing I have every seen an Italian put on his/her salad (yes men love their salads here) is salt and olive oil and maybe if they are in the mood, a dash of balsamic vinegar. One of the best salads I ever had, and I'm talking memorable salad here as I'm still talking about it, was in Florence. This is it (yes I took a picture it was that good).
Sorry it's blurry.

Tomatos, blue cheese, avocado, lettuce, and prosciutto. No dressing. Didn't need it.
I still crave my ranch dressing every now and then, after all I was raised on it, but I now know that I don't need it and have learned to love a salad Italian style.

P.S.
This was Spain's official poster from the world cup. As they won I thought it was an quite appropriate depiction.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Door Series #29

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Sono Quasi Famosa! (I'm Almost Famous)

I love how much fun it is to have a blog. Through blogging, and social

networking, I have met some really cool people. One person whom I have had the pleasure of chatting with is Amanda Robinson , the editor of the gorgeous UK based magazine Italia! Now, I'm not only an Italophile but for even longer I have been an Anglophile ever since I went to Uni at Richmond. So a magazine based in Bath but all about Italy sounds tailor made for me. To top that off yours truly has made this month's issue! On the letters page you will see my recommendation of the best beach in Italy and a little mention of my blog. Below is the page, oh and BTW, I took that picture too.

Check out some back issues here.

To suscribe click here (they ship everywhere)

Monday, July 12, 2010

Drool

I was saving this picture for a day when I didn't have another post lined up. It mostly speaks for itself. Handsome Italian recent military graduates, in their uniforms, walking around the city I suspect this might just be the best chick magnet I have ever seen. Sigh. Drool. Enjoy.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

UNESCO Challenge

As of today, there are 890 world wide sites protected by UNESCO, (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization), 41 of these are in Italy! This feels like a challenge. I'm on a mission now to see each and everyone of these sites. Can you believe it, the first one is across the street from my house!?! Here is the list, how many have you seen? Keep up with my list as I cross them off (at the side bar). Also leave tips, tales, and recommendations on the sites you have been!

UNESCO SITES