Gigi's Italia

I have always been curious about Trieste, a city on the Adriatic Sea a mere 63 miles from Slovenia. Like the Dolomites, it was annexed from Austria at the end of World War I, but it is nonetheless very Italian in feel, despite its history. The weather was hot, the food was (thankfully!) Mediterranean-style, Italian … Continue reading 194. Trieste

Everyone loves Elena Ferrante. When someone learns of my interest in Italy, my love of reading and my preference for writing by and about women, they assume I love her, too. For those unfamiliar, Elena Ferrante is the nom de plume of the author of a four-volume series about two girls growing up in poverty … Continue reading 193. Naples Novels

There are two conditions under which I will ride a bicycle: 1) The terrain must be perfectly flat, and 2) there must be a dedicated bike path, with no chance whatsoever of cars, and preferably, of any other people at all. So I felt I was in Bizarro World in the Dolomites, where all the … Continue reading 192. Bikers

I am not really one to watch sports, even though they are on constantly at my house, except for the occasional Eagles game and whenever Italy is in the World Cup. But there’s something about the Olympics that has me glued to the TV every night. It’s probably the only time that hearing the Star … Continue reading 191. The Olympics

I’ve heard of destination weddings and I’ve heard of elopements, but destination elopements was a new one on me. Apparently, couples who are not wanting to fork out ghastly sums on dinner and dancing for 100 or more guests at a local catering hall, or to force their nearest and dearest to spend money and … Continue reading 189. Destination elopements

I love a good ritual. Some would say that doing the same thing over and over is a sign of timidity and lack of imagination. I disagree. I feel that those little things you find enjoyable and meaningful are what builds a satisfying life. Happier days at the Milan airport, just eight months ago One … Continue reading 188. Rituals

Every so often when I was a kid, the neighbor across the street would pull me aside and ask, "Did you know that your father swam in the Olympics for Italy?" It was always a source of great hilarity to my father and me, the idea that in our close-knit family in our tiny house, … Continue reading 187. The Swimmers

Ping! It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's always right. It's almost a physical thing: every once in a blue moon, something arises that seems just perfect for me, both in terms of my desire and my ability to do it. And when it occurs, I get an almost physical Ping! reaction that … Continue reading 186. Thank you, Wellesley

I am just back from a week in Paris and Belgium, and while I feel that any trip across the Atlantic that doesn't end up in Italy is a waste of my time, I've put that aside and I've done an objective (?) comparison. To be frank, I found Belgium to be drab and dull, … Continue reading 185. Italy vs. France