Author Archives: Brian

Ciao i miei amici. This is fairly typical of what we find here and is the recipe presented in class. Ingredients: 1 carrot 1 onion 1 stick of celery ~1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil ~ 1/8 cup butter 1 … Continue reading →

Ciao i miei amici! Having been under the weather for the last couple of days, I’m starting to recover.  Took an equally long break from class and feeling a little behind even though there is no specific progression. What errors … Continue reading →

Where we could see both Austria and Italy:  46° 31.780’N 12° 0.194’E Imagine driving a full sized passenger buss through:   46° 32.884’N 11° 48.554’E Where we saw the Ice Man:  46° 29.876’N 11° 21.274’E

The school has divided us into several groups of varying levels.  The beginner and low-intermediate students are receiving instruction in a variety of formats that are fairly typical for what you might expect in a language class:  lectures, written exercises, … Continue reading →

Ciao i miei amici! Allora! After eight days of hearing and speaking entirely in Italian for four hours a day, I can definitely say I’m making great progress…I think…maybe…well?  As long as I stay focused, what do I need to … Continue reading →

Americans frequently tip but Italians don’t necessarily expect it.  Italians themselves generally do not tip and when they do, it isn’t the full 15% to 25% common in the US.  Italians pay a fair wage.  Italians don’t rush you through … Continue reading →

Ciao i miei amici! Verona is among the smaller of Italy’s cities.  It was located (somewhat intentionally) by the Romans at a crossroads: North-South:  Rome (~500 km to the south) to points north. East-West:  Milan (~160 km to the west) … Continue reading →

Ciao i miei amici! Our old apartment was situated in a university area (see 2 October) which turned out to be somewhat noisier than we could handle.  We kept thinking that their professors weren’t giving those kids enough homework.  Today … Continue reading →

Ciao i miei amici! Italians like cash but they don’t like to give a lot of little change.  The more you can arrange it so that they can give you your change as efficiently as possible, the better they like … Continue reading →

Ciao i miei amici! Allora! Mamma mia, that’s a lot of Italian.  However, what a week.  My brain feels swollen.  That’s what Happy Hour is for: Btw, for you language wonks, c’era follows directly from today’s lesson:  esserci. Ciao!