The Anthropology of Fire
“Since the house is on fire, let us warm ourselves.” (Italian proverb) Monday,…
2012
Italy in Lockdown
I walked the beach where Mario Ruoppolo recorded metaphors for Neruda. I put my feet in…
Castagne to Go: Chronicles of a Chestnut Lover
In February 2008, I attended the BIT (Biennale Italiana del Turismo) in Milan, where…
The Food We Eat
“You are what you eat,” according to the old saying – the idea being that you can…
Pressing Wine and Dancing the Tarantella
Wine always reminds me of my grandfather. I can’t remember the first time I tasted…
Home, Belonging and Identity
My fascination with cultural identity stems from the fact that I grew up immersed in…
Where Everybody Knows (How to Spell) My Name
Recently, an acquaintance told me that I don’t look “Canadian.” In all fairness,…
Italian Gerontocracy: When the Patch is Worse than the Hole
When Italians see a hot topic, they dive into it with a lust and passion worthy of a…
Taking the Next Step
Last week my neighbours moved to a retirement home. They built the house next door 50…
Silent in Its Shout: A Long Weekend in Sicilia
A Law unto Itself The Facebook invitation reads: Long Hair In Three Stages Live + Various…