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Background: Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.

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By farfalla
September 18th 2007

Living the Life Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

The View

Alrighty, so after a night of excitement, concerts, art, pool, and food I slept in. I looked at my many classes and realized that homework was needed to be done. Although why sit in an apartment all afternoon!!! Hellen and I went to a small park near Piazza Italiano and read/watched cute old Italian people. The view consisted of mountains, clouds, and Assisi off in the distance. I love the old Italian couples...they are so cute! Anyway, that night more exploring led us to follow our noses into some of the best smelling bakeries imaginable. I can't even begin to describe [View Full Entry]

Come Here...come on...I know you want to

By tlh001
September 15th 2007

Urban Trekking... Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Urban

Yesterday we went Urban Trekking. Umbra set it up so we could see how different crafts are made here in Perugia. We went to a pottery store, leather shop, textile maker, and gelato/chocolate store. It was really interesting to learn all about how these products were made and to actually see them being made (well we didn't get to see how chocolate and gelato are made but we got to eat some). We loved the textile place but not for the textiles. She had a dog and we got to play with her. I think we all miss our dogs way [View Full Entry]

By farfalla
September 15th 2007

Look Mom, I did my laundry Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Laundry anyone?

Well I was running low on clothes and my laundry was piling up so I had to do the inevitable...wash my clothes. Well since the laundry mat was closed I glanced into my backroom to find the laundry machine, or should I say grande sink. I even hung my clothes out the window like a real Italian mama. I hope those pigeons don't poop on it. So after shopping, uploading photos, laundry, and some unavoidable homework it was my favorite time!!! CENA! DINNER! I made onions and rice, while hellen cooked an amazing salad, lol and Natalie made the most amazing [View Full Entry]

By Margaret Nigro
September 13th 2007

I got my nose pierced. Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Before
Excited/nervous

It was sort of painful, but mostly a really good experience. I'd wanted to go for like two days but the timing hasn't been good I guess, and I didn't want to go by myself. Julianna went with me, and we ran into Shannon so she came along for support as well. I'm really glad they were there. I was nervous and felt very jittery once we were in the piercing place. The first place we went (which was very clean, no worries) the woman just had me write my name down, then pulled out this piercing gun. I did not [View Full Entry]

By tlh001
September 13th 2007

School has actually begun... Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Classes officially started this week. I have intensive Italian every morning Monday through Thursday. Some how I was lucky and got the 9am slot...that's the only annoying part of my schedule. History of Early Christianity should be interesting. So far we're starting from how religion began and what's the difference between monotheism and polytheism. In Leonardo da Vinci we have started out nicely by watching a film. We're learning all about da Vinci from his beginnings to his notebooks that cover everything from art to science and math. He really is a man full of curiosities. Foo [View Full Entry]

By farfalla
September 12th 2007

Mama gnocchi! Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Tomato Sauce Fixings

Tonight I learned the tricks of making my favorite dish EVER!! Oh yeah by the way classes are great. I am looking forward to my photo class. My one professor is to smart for his own good. lol. Anyhoo back to food. The teacher of the class was an American lady who fell in love with Perugia, bought a house here and now teaches Italian Cuisine to Umbra Students and tourists. What a charmed life, I am jealous. She taught us how to make a delicious tomato sauce and gnocchi!!! Later that night Hellen Kirsten and I went exploring. We found [View Full Entry]

By Margaret Nigro
September 12th 2007

I changed my schedule . . . Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

That's about the most exciting thing that happened today. Last night was pretty quiet. I made cookies again. This time was much much better and I was not so self-conscious about the turnout. I did eat a lot of dough though, so after a while I wasn't feeling so great. I started my reading and decided I wanted to change my schedule. I've dropped History of Early Christianity. In it's place I'm now taking Abnormal Psychology. This way I can take "Clinical and Counseling Psychology" at Macalester in the spring. I'm going to edit the previous entry to read my current [View Full Entry]

By Margaret Nigro
September 11th 2007

Classes have started Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Because our apartment has internet
Victor can come over and we can all sit together on our computers.

Sorry I haven't updated in sort of a while. Sunday was beautiful. Stephanie and I took the "nooks and crannies" tour while the others went to the Perugia soccer game. I learned lots of historical fun facts about Perugia on the tour. My favorite part was when our "guide," Zach, showed us his vineyard where he and a friend raise grapes on someone's land near the city center (they have permission). We went in through a door off these steps in a very secret garden-like way. He gave us fresh figs that grew on the trees there. Wonderful. Classes started yesterday. [View Full Entry]

By farfalla
September 10th 2007

Hellens Birthday Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Looking Cute
Hellen and Kirsten

I made reservations in Italian for a restaurant called del mi coco, roughly translated "all my friends". The food was amazing...actually it was the same restaurant I went with the girls a couple nights ago. There was delicious bread, pasta, stuffed turkey and potatoes. MMMMM we went out clubbing all night in celebration and hung out on the Piazza steps. [View Full Entry]

By farfalla
September 9th 2007

Calcio Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

VIVO PERUGIA!

So I originally didn't get Tyler money for my soccer ticket on friday, although Hellen convinced me to go on Sunday. I ended up getting a cheaper ticked because I was a girl...fancy that. The game was fun and our team won. Oh man it was MOLTO CALDA!!! We were right in the sun. The fans were crazy though and cheered the entire time. Sarah's list of Diffferences: - There is a 50% discount for female calcio fans - "football" is called calcio - Fans have these bitchen rally scarves....i got one and plan on using it for the winter - [View Full Entry]

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