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Italians propose giant cable car linking Sicily and Calabria
Italy has never realized its 2000 year-old dream of linking Sicily with the mainland, but a team of architects and engineers might have found the answer: a giant cable car. The 3.3 kilometre-wide strait of Messina has separated Sicily from Calabria since the last Ice Age and with controversial plans to build the world's largest suspension bridge between the two shores seemingly dead in the water, Italian architects and engineers are proposing an aerial tramway. In Italy, one in three pizza makers isn’t Italian
Pizza might be the most Italian of foods—so much so that the country has nominated it for UNESCO heritage protection. Making a good pizza is an art. A whole academy is dedicated to it. It’s also a good place to find a job: With 100,000 employed as pizzaioli (pizza chefs) full time, at least 50,000 more weekend workers, and at least 6,000 vacant spots, according to data from Accademia Pizzaioli (pizza chefs’ academy, link in Italian), the field is uncommonly healthy in Italy’s difficult job market. Long-term Brit in Italy barred from EU vote vows to fight on
A long-term Briton in Italy has said he is “disappointed and saddened” after losing a High Court bid to get the right to vote in the upcoming EU referendum. Harry Shindler, a 94-year-old war veteran, and Jacquelyn MacLennan, a Belgium-based expat, fought to change a British law that bars British expats who have lived abroad for more than 15 years from voting in the crucial referendum on June 23rd. IN ITALY, ancient traditions still come to the rescue for single ladies looking for a man.
Each year a Spinster Festival takes place in two picturesque towns near Rome where “old maids” dressed in medieval clothes get to show-off in a peculiar procession, walking across a maze of ancient Etruscan tombs while they pray a saint to find a partner. Their fate depends on fortune. The names of all single girls are cast in a spinning lottery box but only one is drawn out: Miss Spinster. The lucky maiden gets a double treat. Together with a dowry of 800 euros, she also wins the chance of having all the village boys at her feet with various dating proposals. Learn just a handful of Italian words and phrases… and you can transform your trip to Italy!
That’s because, while English is common in Italy’s larger cities and tourist destinations (including hotspots like Florence, Rome, Venice, and the Amalfi coast), it’s not as widely spoken in Italy’s smaller towns and countryside. So to experience off-the-beaten-path Italy, a little Italian goes a long way! (And don’t worry about practicing on locals; Italians tend to be friendly and patient with foreigners). Have no idea where to start? Here’s help, including some of the most useful Italian words and phrases you’ll love having on hand! A quick word on Italian pronunciations In more off-the-beaten-path towns, like Matera, it’s useful to know some Italian words and phrases before visiting. Even if you don’t learn a single Italian phrase, knowing how to pronounce the language can be a big help—if only to, say, order items off a menu, tell a taxi driver your hotel address or ask a local what the next metro stop is… and be understood! Italian words can be rather long (and poetic!), but here’s a helpful tip for pronouncing them: most of the time, stress falls on the second-to-last syllable. (So “Venezia” is “Ve-NE-zia”; “castello” is “cas-TELL-o”). Vowels show up a lot in lyrical Italian. So just remember that “a” is pronounced like the a in father, “i” like the “ee” in greet, and “u” like the u in rule. The vowels “e” and “o” can be open or closed, depending on the word. Meanwhile, many consonants sound like their English equivalent. The most important exceptions: the letter “c” before “i” or “e” is pronounced like a “ch,” “g” before an “i” or “e” is pronounced like the g in “general,” “h” is always silent, “r” is almost always rolled and “z” is pronounced like the “ds” in “lads” at the beginning of the sentence, and like the “ts” in sets in all other cases. Double consonants can be a bit tricky, but here are some rules to remember: “ch” sounds like the “c” in “car,” “gli” sounds like the “ll” in million, “gn” sounds like the “ny” in “canyon,” and “sc” sounds like the “sh” in “shush” before i and e, and like “sk” in “skip” in all other cases. Got that? Great! Now, here’s a quick starter guide to essential Italian words and phrases… and, of course, you’ll now be able to pronounce them! Common Italian greetings Buongiorno: Good morning. Usually said until 4pm. Buona sera: Good evening. Usually said after 4pm. Buona notte: Good night. Only used to say goodbye, it is usually said before parting ways after 10pm, or before going to sleep. Ciao: Hello or goodbye. A very informal greeting. Salve: A way to say hello, used especially in Rome (it’s Latin!) and, in formality, in between “ciao” and “buongiorno.” Arrivederci: A formal way to say goodbye. Literally means “until we see each other again.” Other common Italian phrases Per favore: Please Grazie: Thank you. You may also hear “grazie mille” (literally “a thousand thanks”) to mean many thanks. Prego: You’re welcome Mi chiamo…: My name is… You may also say “Sono….” Non parlo italiano: I don’t speak Italian Parla inglese?: Do you speak English? This is the formal version, but you can also ask parli inglese? if you’d like to be informal. Sì: Yes. Other popular affirmations: va bene (fine), okay. No: No 30 mn Italians on holiday, 8% up says Coldiretti
59% spent less than 500 euros (ANSA) - Rome, August 28 - Thirty million Italians went on holiday in the summer of 2015, half of which during the month of August, said the Federation of Italian Farmers (Coldiretti) on Friday, according to which the data points to an 8% increase with respect to the previous year. Eighty-two per cent of holiday-makers chose to remain in Italy shying away from destinations affected by international crises and terrorism. The average holiday budget per person was around 504 euros per person and according to the report compiled by Coldiretti and Ixé pollsters, 59% spent less than 500 euros per head, 33% between 500 and one thousand euros, 3%between one and two thousand, with just 1% admitting to spending over 2 thousand euros. Food shopping was the item that weighed most heavily on the budget of holiday-makers, surpassing funds allocated to accomodation. Less than one Italian out of three chose to stay in a hotel or a pension, with 36% of Italians opting for their own properties or the homes of relatives or friends. FOR SALE - VILLA ZAMBRONE HILLS-3 BEDROOM WITH GARDENS, COMMUNAL SWIMMING POOL AND PARKING. ONLY €249.00 EURO
Italians take digital detox at the beach
Grandparents teach children old-fashioned games, study says (by Daniela Giammusso) (ANSA) - Rome, August 12 - Getting the kids off their devices could be easier than expected. After a winter spent repeating "put that thing down," or "no Game Boy at the table," and "have you finished your homework before turning on the computer?" all it took was to bring them to the beach, and a miracle happened. Even the most technology-dependent kids, the ones to whom you'd say "you'll make a job out of that when you grow up" or "let's hope that you at least have Bill Gates' talent," went back to being just kids, in less than an afternoon. Read the full stories online by clicking photos or hereAT A GLANCE - Market days
Local markets usually open by 8am and closes 1pm / 1.30pm Pizzo : Thursday , off the top road in Pizzo Vibo Valentia : Tuesday and Saturday, pedestrian high street and back streets Filadelfia : Thursday in the main Piazza Lamezia : Saturday , by the train station Vibo Marina : Monday , in the old station yard All the markets sell local home grown fruit and vegetables, wine, cheeses, meats and breads. Various clothing, household goods, knick knacks, orniments and the stuff you usually find at markets. Visiting a market is always a great adventure, there is always a bargin to be had.Don't forget, barter !!! |
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The Calabrian Voice is a free publication printed and distributed in and around Calabria. We also have an online edition published monthly on pdf. go to newspaper link and click the image.