Funny In Any Language

Freshmen

There is a new expat blog coming out of Rome. It's about a American (blonde) girl (like me), who moved to Rome for an undetermined amount of time (like me), who hopes to get some adventure out of life (like me). It's called An American in Rome and I recommend it mostly because it's fun and every experience she has i.e. the post office, the driving, the eating, is like being a senior and watching the freshmen on their first day of high school.

I know girl. Right?! Been there. I don't get it either.

A Tale of 2 Songs

 Every Italian knows this song the way every french men might know la Vie en Rose. Here is the most popular and famous version of Quando Quando Quando as sung by Tony Renis in 1962. It is smooth like the Rat Pack in Italiano. 


And here is the modern Black Eyed Peas version mostly sung in english wich is close but not an exact translation of the lyrics.

Which do you like better? FYI, Quando means When in Italian.

Door Series #34

Google Steet View Pompei

 I mentioned this once before but I can't get over how cool this is.UNESCO and Google combined to do Street View on some world heritage sights including this one of the world's most famous Roman time capsule. So, if you can't get to Italy at the moment but you'd like too, "walk" along the streets of Pompei.



Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa

Accidental Time Capsules

It's funny when you walk into a room in your home and discover new things. Since we have moved into Pier's grandma's sea house in Rapallo, each time I go into a closet or open a chest of drawers, I discover a time capsule. For example in the kitchen I found a bottle of 1977 red wine still waiting to be open. Which I did.

The guest room closet was a wealth of 60's treasures including one Emilio Pucci sundress, one Ferragamo terrycloth wrap around dress, one pair of rainbow colored platforms, and I could go on and on. I'm still digging through it all like pirate booty.

I hope I find some family pictures soon....or maybe a Ming dynasty vase...or some old war bonds....or...

Parti Inglese?

Even though I learn more and more Italian everyday, I know exactly how this guy feels.

And, Pier and I have had this exact conversation before.

Poor Pompeii

 As if Pompeii hasn't had it hard enough, it appears that the roof has fallen in on one of the buildings and took the rest of the structure with it. The particular building happened to be the home of the gladiators. (If you didn't know that gladiators lived together in university dorm style, watch Starz: Spartus Blood and Sand, It's brilliant but very rated R). Culture Minister Sandro Bondi, is outraged and saddened that more money is not given to the protection and restoration fund for Pompeii, an issue that will likely be brought up in the coming elections for Prime Minster.

There were many fresco covered walls of which workers are now going through the debris trying to save what they can. This disaster hurts. It wasn't an act of nature, it was a issue that could have been prevented.

Take a tour of Pompeii and see the house before the collapse on Google streetview here.

Welcome to Rapallo

 We are now in the Italian Riviera town of Rapallo located right on the Mediterranean Sea. It's a beautiful place, and I would have seen more of it if it would stop raining. Most of what I have seen so far of this quaint town has been the post office. Today it even hailed, which was kina funny because our "new" condo is located next door to an elementary school and all of the kids running like dodge ball to their parents cars and scooters was good afternoon entertainment. We are in a resort town during off season, once the summer comes we'll be overwhelmed with tourists and families with summer homes here. But for now I'm walking on the wet sidewalk with all the other 75 year olds that live here year round.
Here is what I have learned so far.

Instead of the trees, lovers carve their initials in the succulent plants.

The city fountain is an octopus which makes for a less sexy La Dolce Vita moment.

The butchers take fresh meat very seriously.

There is a sailboat painted on almost every building.

Kissing in Italy

 If you ever come to Italy, you will soon see for yourself that Italians are NOT afraid to kiss in public. Some people don't like it. I think it's adorable.

Buster's

 There is still no Starbucks in Italy. Italy has a great cafe culture that they love and protect well. Plus they call American coffee dirty water. But a funny thing happened last week when a practical photo copy of Starbucks opened up in Torino's center called Buster's Coffee.

I went inside and was greeted by American sized venti drip coffee, large cozy chairs, and shockingly, to-go cups!!! I have been in 3 times now and each time I could not find a place to sit, it was that crowded.

So, maybe Italian's are giving American coffee a try...and might be liking it. I'll let you know, if I can ever find a seat.

 

Frozen coffee, aka, frappuccino.  

Armani, you always know how to do it right

Italian designer + soccer player + french maid = fabulous jeans ad.

Sexy Vampire Undies? Only in Itay.

 This is a Italian machismo Halloween costume. Pier, if you are reading this, next years Halloween costume??? I say yes!