Category Archives: English

The Nun of Monza

Posted on June 6, 2019 by babbityjean

In I Promessi Sposi, Alessandro Manzoni calls her “Gertrude.”  Her given name at birth was Marianna de Leyva but she assumed her mother’s name, Virginia Maria, when she became a nun.  The story of her life — full of sex, scandal, power, … Continue reading →

Posted in English, Film, Foto, Italia, Libri, Storia, Vaticano | 2 Comments

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