fmaggi

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  1. Concordia's Deep Throat

    1/20/12 6:37am by fmaggi
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    The tragedy of the Concordia has been rocking the airwaves and bandwiths for days now, each day bringing out new revelations.  But for every bit of news that goes reported, it seems that it gives rise to even more questions. So true also in the case of the mystery Moldavian who was hunkering down in Moldavia after jumping ship and skedaddling as fast as her dancer's legs could take her.  But the most pressing question, in the first days of the tragedy was...How could this have happened?!  Read more >

  2. Captain Coward and the Sinking of the Concordia

    1/18/12 2:48am by fmaggi
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    There has been so much excellent commentary combined with a whole lot of conjecture on this terrible incident, I didn't want to weigh in on what seems to be a singular act of bravado by a seriously inept commander.  Usually, guys love to show off.  But when Evil Knievel jumps over a cliff, or a motocross racer does it, they usually only put themselves in danger (save for the spectators down below).    Read more >

  3. Italy's Grapes of Wrath

    12/16/11 10:04am by fmaggi
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    One of my good friends and loyal blog fan, Carolinrome held a warm holiday evening so I could present my book to a group of women readers & expats...We all enjoyed a few good laughs doing what women do best: Tell incredible stories.Using the book chapters as a launch pad, it wasn't long before everyone was telling one of their own...These ran the gamut from post office woes (where one woman actually called the toll free number pondering exactly, why, people didn't 'go postal' in Italy given the services were so much worse) to toilet flushers (fr  Read more >

  4. A Guide to Life in Italy

    11/29/11 9:54am by fmaggi
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    Announcing...the launch of my first book!  Read more >

  5. Google Translate...Where r u?

    11/21/11 8:15am by fmaggi
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    I've always gotten a big kick out of playing, 'spot the translation goofs' on restaurant menus wherever I've traveled.  And while I'm always impressed with the ways in which the locals try to cater to their clients (unlike in the USA where you're simply left to fend for yourself - although people will speak louder & louder until you pretend to understand), it always amazes me that no one ever bothered to pick up a dictionary and just look things up.  Read more >

  6. All the Prime Minister's Women

    11/18/11 5:00am by fmaggi
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    Italy has a new 'Technical' government of policy wonks that might very well pull them from the abyss.  Below, I compare the women Ministers of the Berlusconi Administration to those of the newly minted Monti goverment. Visit my blog page for photo   Read more >

  7. April in Rome

    4/4/11 3:20am by fmaggi
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    In Rome, April truly kicks off the tourist season – especially with so many making their pilgrimage to Vatican City for Easter. This month, a whole host of events surrounding Pope John Paul II’s ‘Santo Subito’ Sainthood – on May 1st are planned. And, to make things easier, they’ve even devised a ‘Pope Pass’.  Read more >

  8. Five things Italian Women can do to Demand Dignity

    2/16/11 12:54am by fmaggi
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    The movement of women at the If not now, then When? rallies by tens of thousands was quite a sight to see.  So, in an effort to contribute my 2cents' worth, I'd like to provide a quick reference guide to demanding dignity (or, guerrilla handbook) for those who don't know what the next steps should be:  Read more >

  9. Happy International Pesto Day!

    1/18/11 1:54am by fmaggi
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    According to the newspapers, January 17th marks International Pesto Day.  That's the day in which we all can have garlic breath...I've said it once, and will say it again, Pesto even on old shoes will taste good.  And, although this treat has its origins in northern Liguria, it's pretty much standard fare on tables around the world.  Read more >

  10. The Best & Worst of Italy 2010

    1/6/11 11:18am by fmaggi
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    Following is my serendipitous selection of the Good-Buono, the Bad & the Ugly-Brutto of Life in Italy 2010.  Feel free to add your own. milano buono      Milan’s train station grows up – and starts adding slick services & fancy stores for passengers.  Read more >

Francesca Maggi

Full Name
Francesca Maggi
Member Since
July 2007
About Me: 

An Italian aficionado, and 20 year Italian resident, Francesca has developed a keen eye for all things Italian; the good, the bad & the ugly. The survival stories swapped almost daily with her expat compatriots have led her to apply her magnifying glass to the things that make us crazy, but which we'd never change for anything in the world!

About Me Tags: 

Italy,Travel,Politics,Food,Italians,Italian Life

Causes Tags: 

Children's Art/Creativity,Women Trafficking

Favorite Tags: 

Italy,Travel,my Dog

 

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