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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 Margaret Nigro
September 9th 2007

"You meet one that's un-sleazy and you hit the jackpot" Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

The girls who went to Leonardo's

Julianna just said that, and I think that quote aptly describes our experiences yesterday and Friday. Leonardo, who drove us to Assisi, had people over to his parent's home last night, and invited all of us. There were maybe 20 people there. The Italians cooked norcina which is a Perugian dish we made a couple of nights ago. We did a good job when we made it, but the Italians probably did better. They also cooked sausage on the grill, which was delicious and a half. Before we went my roommate Erica made tiramisu, which we brought to the house. Leonardo's [View Full Entry]

By tlh001
September 9th 2007

I could get used to 3 day weekends Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Calcio

As you can guess from the title 3 day weekends are amazing! It’s so much more refreshing to have 3 days off instead of 2. Jackie and I actually got some shut eye this weekend. We were bums and went to bed every night around 9. We also spent our evenings strolling around Perugia (walking off the hot chocolate and gelato ; ) , reading Jane Austen books, and watching Italian TV. We went shopping on Friday and hit up the 50% off sales in most of the stores. We didn’t actually end up buying much. Then we found the [View Full Entry]

By Margaret Nigro
September 7th 2007

Day trip to Assisi Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

The view

Today we went to Assisi and saw the church of St Francis and the tomb of St Francis. It was a free trip because there is an Italian boy, Filippo, is interested in my roommate Sarah. He called a friend of his to also drive, so we had two cars for the two Italian boys, and five American girls. Shannon stayed in Perugia because she went to Assisi with her parents before everyone else from the program got here. It was a really beautiful trip, and really nice to have the boys show us around. After we got back from Assisi [View Full Entry]

By farfalla
September 6th 2007

Exploring and Pizza Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Etruscan Street

Alright today involved Italian class and some random exploring. I went to the underground Etruscan foundation which was really cool. The Pope came in and there was a war between the people and the church. I guess he was a bad dude back then. The pope built his home on top of the city, which is why it is underground now. You have to imagine that there is no roof but sky. The hallways are really old streets. Cool huh? The pope also taxed salt, so to rebel the Etruscan people stopped putting salt in there bread = why their bread [View Full Entry]

By tlh001
September 6th 2007

Our Adventures the Past Couple of Days... Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Italian has been going well. Last night made our week because we can now order in Italian! And today when we went to the market we could tell the guys at the market what we wanted. We even had a full conversation with one of the venders! He was nice enough to slow down his speech. Jackie and I definitely think the one fruit and veggie vendor likes us because he gave us a head of lettuce, a giant thing of garlic, half a kilo of nectarines, and a zucchini for less than 2 euro! The carrots we bought at [View Full Entry]

By Margaret Nigro
September 6th 2007

Night in Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

The view around Perugia

Today intensive Italian ended with a practical lesson/field trip during our "survival" session in the afternoon. Our professore had us walk down to Piazza Italia (down the pedestrian-only main street from Piazza IV Novembre and check bus schedules and ask a few questions about the bus at the ticket stand. It was very cute, and I always get excited about field trips. Last night everyone went out for an aperitivo (free appetizers if you buy a drink) and to the bars. I wanted to come back, so Shannon walked back with me around 11:30, and I had a very awkward interaction [View Full Entry]

By Margaret Nigro
September 5th 2007

Fichi Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Figs

I don't remember the name of the children's book where the French man eats the magic figs and wakes up without his clothes and it's Bastille Day, but I was strongly reminded of it today. Last night I unknowingly ate my first fresh fig at Altromondo, a restaurant we were taken to by the people from the Institute. It was sort of a second welcome dinner, and also served the purpose of getting us together to sign a few more papers. They divided us up into about six groups for these dinners and took us out to different restaurants. It was [View Full Entry]

By Margaret Nigro
September 4th 2007

You'll appreciate this, Mom Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Deruta ceramic plate

Today is rainy. I've just finished my morning sessions of Italian and have one hour until the afternoon session. We're having grilled cheese and soup. The exciting thing about today so far is that I've discovered that every Tuesday and Saturday people come from Deruta with ceramics. I won't have to go there at all because they bring the ceramics right to the center of town. I bought a small plate today for 25 Euro, though the listed price was 28-something. I spoke a little to the man and woman who were selling them on my way to and from class. [View Full Entry]

By farfalla
September 4th 2007

Arcadia Dinner Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Antipasta

So I totally thought my Arcadia dinner was on the 4th but apparently it was on the 3rd. I went to the one on the 4th anyway and it was decent. I have had better meals...I guess I am not a risotto kind of person. Classes are really intense...I guess thats what they meant by intensive Italian. I hope to get better at speaking soon. [View Full Entry]

By Luke n Kel
September 4th 2007

Day 4 of Best of Italy Tour Europe » Italy » Umbria » Assisi

On the water

We were sad to leave Rome, but excited to start the 'travelling' part of our tour. We headed south from Rome via Monte Cassino to Pompeii - what an amazing city frozen in time. It was extrememly hot (and some of the yanks whinged like there was something our guide could do!) but we really enjoyed it. We saw some bars (with wine holders), some residential homes (with gardens and everything) and then Luke's favourite - the red light district - complete with beds and even the girls 'menus' written above their rooms! From Pompeii, we continued on to Sorrento for [View Full Entry]

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