Italy VS Europe - The Comparison

Please watch this - it is sooo true !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQWNGLv8w74

If you cannot click on it, paste it into your browser........it's worth the effort !

VILLA VACATION RENTALS

Keep an eye on this website because I will be offering more villas for your vacation next year.

TORTELLINI AL DENTE

Tortellini are ring-shaped pasta. They are typically stuffed with a mix of meat (pork loin, prosciutto) or cheese. Originally from the Italian region of Emilia (in particular Bologna and Modena), they are usually served in broth, meat broth, either of beef, chicken, or both.


Laurie had been working since 6.00 am and it was now 11.00 pm. All day he had been greeting and meeting the various guests into our villas, apartments and pool properties in and around central Spoleto. Usually he cooks for us both. On this occasion, I thought I'd surprise him. In the fridge was a packet of tortellini and on the packet it stated boldly, "2 MINUTES". Amazing ! I popped it into the microwave, in a dish, naturally. And, I watched the wonders of modern science unfold. The packet blew up and exploded, just as the 2 minute ding sounded. Fast foods are truly miraculous. I spooned the very hot mass - it was all stuck together - of tortellinin into a dish. The tortellini were small to begin with but they were now the size of new peas. Obviously a new type of tortellini. I sliced parmigiano over the mass and attempted to separate some of the large coagulated lumps. But, to no avail. Obviously, it was meant to be stuck together.


Laurie arrived home, ravenous. No time too eat in 18 hours. He immediately coated the lot in tomato ketchup. But, surprisingly, he left half of it. Having only eaten 2 giant bags of patate fritte (crisps to non Italian speakers), washed down by a litre of wine, I was also hungry.So, I ate the remaining mass of tortellini. It was amazingly al dente. And, I congratulated myself on having cooked my first meal ever.


Then, Laurie explained that the pasta had been fresh and should have been cooked in boiling water for 2 minutes. So, the hard tiny pellets could have tasted a tad better, had I read the instructions. But, heck, I can't read Italian either ! Duhhhhh......

FREE CONCERTS IN SPOLETO HISTORIC CENTRE

Spoleto is one of the cultural centres  of Italy. There are many, many concerts for free in some amazing locations. Please see:


http://www.ccmspoleto.org/calendar/

Vesuvius

One of our guests arrived today still with the dust of the Vesuvius between their toes !

Rome

Confession ! Went to Rome but didn't get past the Spanish Steps and the designer shops. Next is a trip to the bank to squeeze out a loan....... Not optimistic ! I wish I were more interested in concerts, ballets, artifacts, monuments, frescoes and churches.....anything of historic value that didn't cost money !! All the things that are common in Spoleto, my home town.  Problem is - there are designer shops here too.

NEWS OF THE WORLD

Wow, the last day of this historic newspaper ! Where will this scandal lead to ? Rebekah Brooks and Rupert Murdoch have a lot to answer for, it would seem.

Rupert Murdoch has much in common with another media mogul.........

The Italian media specialises in sex scandals and the promotion of Berlusconi. Political dissent in Italy is minimum. I wonder why !

However, Berlusconi has said that he will not stand for President at the next election. Italy without Berlusconi is unimaginable. We'd all have to become serious.....