Are Italian-Americans Italian? People keep telling me we aren’t. When I say I am Italian, Italian-Italians, those born in Italy, look at me with suspicion and scoff. American Uber-patriots chide me, telling me that I am American. In their minds, to associate myself the culture of my forbears is close to treason. With so many … Continue reading Are Italian-Americans Italian?
#westcoastitalians
An Italian-American Christmas
Several years back, an evangelical Christian co-worker was complaining about the secularization of Christmas. “Jesus is the reason for the season,” he declared, literally raising his arm, pointing to the heavens above. “What does Christmas mean to you? Is it a holiday or an holyday?” he asked, almost daring me to answer incorrectly, or at … Continue reading An Italian-American Christmas
Noto Antica
Ciao Tutti!! There are days which will stand out in my life. This was one of them. It is easy to get carried away with ourselves. Well, I guess I shouldn’t project my own shortcomings on to others. Let me say, rather, it is easy for me to get carried away with myself, especially when … Continue reading Noto Antica
“Il bar più a sud d’Europa isole escluse.”
Ciao Tutti!!! Another terrific day in Sicily. We left the hotel with an ultimate destination of Cape Passero. We were barely on the road when we stopped at an abandoned farmhouse. The farm had been made into a museum. Apparently, someone who had found some Roman mosaics and were chipping away pieces destroying them and … Continue reading “Il bar più a sud d’Europa isole escluse.”
The Road to Noto
What a great day!! It is our first day of riding and it has reminded me of why I love these trips so much. We left Syracuse this morning headed south-west toward the town of Noto. It was a short 34 miles, which I guess is a great way to start the trip. We don’t … Continue reading The Road to Noto
Arrival
Ciao tutti! Today, after a very long day of travel, we arrived in Syracuse, or more correctly Sircuasa. I am referring to the original in Sicily and not the one in central New York. Well, I knew that I was in Italy when someone asked for my name but did not ask me how to … Continue reading Arrival
Italia, Ieri, Oggi, Domani.
Ciao Tutti!! Today we boarded our flight for our Italian adventure. We battled traffic on the LA freeways, passed through the gauntlet of security, and ourselves into seats that would be restrictive for hobbit. There is not much to tell about my odyssey at this point, so let’s talk about Italy. For those of you … Continue reading Italia, Ieri, Oggi, Domani.
