Category Archives: English

Roman Concrete

Posted on May 30, 2019 by babbityjean

The Amatrice earthquake in August 2016 killed nearly 300 people and caused widespread destruction. For many people, the buildings in Piazza Sagnotti were especially a puzzle:  why did some buildings survive without a crack while others completely collapsed?  It turns out … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, English, Foto, Italia, Roma, Storia | 1 Comment

It’s Baloney!

Posted on May 23, 2019 by babbityjean

The mayor of the Italian city Bologna, Virginio Merola, prefers to call it “fake news.”  He’s incensed that tourists who come to his city ask for spaghetti Bolognese (or “spag bol”) at local restaurants.  He claims that it does not … Continue reading →

Posted in Abitudini, Cucina italiana, Differenze culturali, English, Foto | 1 Comment

The Long Arm of Totò Riina

Posted on May 16, 2019 by babbityjean

Investigators considered him the undisputed leader of Cosa Nostra—“U curtu,” the boss of massacres. When he died in November 2017 (see post, “The Long Shadow of ‘Totò’ Riina, December 14, 2017), Riina was serving 26 life sentences.  The first was for … Continue reading →

Posted in Abitudini, Cucina italiana, English, Foto, Italia, Mafia, Sicilia, Storia | Leave a comment