It doesn’t seem possible to me that the Spring Quarter is coming to an end and that this is my final blog on Italy.  Three months ago, I had little experience even reading blogs, much less writing one.  It’s been a great experience, but it hasn’t been enough time to truly cover the subject matter the way it deserves.  Despite the many cities and sites left to talk about, I will stick with my original plan and blog about Venice.

Venice is situated in north east Italy approximately 340 miles from Rome, on the south west, and about a 5 ½ hour cross country drive.  It is actually an island city…one of over 100 small islands that make up the Venetian lagoon.  (Murano, world renowned for its beautiful glass making, is also a part of this cluster of islands.)  And, while its difficult to pin-point exactly when Venice was built, popular opinion seems to mark the date around 425AD.

Trumped only by Paris (blogger’s opinion), Venice is undoubtedly the second most romantic city in the world.  Miles of watery streets beckon to the young, and young at heart, to cuddle closer aboard one of the many gondolas.   Imagine the gondolier pushing your boat, with ease and grace along the Grand Canal in the moonlight.  Heck, he’ll even sing for you….for a small fee, of course.

And, if the speed of the gondolas is too slow, you might consider moving about on a motorboat bus, called a vaporetti.  There’s also the cabled-operated mass transit tram, called the Venice People Mover (which was obviously named by a government employee with about as much imagination as a pork rind).

I’ve already mentioned the Grand Canal.  It is the major thoroughfare, running the entire length of Venice, and sports the beautiful Rialto Bridge, which is not to be missed….and, likely is too big to be missed anyway.  While there, other must see sites include the Bell Tower, the Clock Tower, the church at St. Mark’s Square (where Titian is buried), and the School of St. Roch, which was decorated inside by Tintoretto in 1564.

The cafes and restaurants of Venice are too numerous to mention, but if you can make a reservation, and if you want a table you must, check out Antico Martini.  It is definitely one of Italy’s finest restaurants.  And, take plenty of cash or thick plastic…it’s expensive.

Until the next quarter, I bid you a fond farewell.  Ciao!

A resident walks in front of the collapsed San Martino church, in Buonacompra, near Cento, northern Italy, Sunday, May 20. 2012. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Bologna, Italy

This week’s blog was to be about the lovely city of Venice; however, it seems more appropriate to give you the latest update on this terrible natural disaster. 

Citizens of Bologna, located approximately 80 miles east of Florence, were awakened at 4AM on Sunday, May 20^th.  The quake, of 6.0 magnitude, could be felt from Milan to Venice, approximately 140 and 100 miles, respectively, away.  Thus far, seven people have been killed, and dozens more injured.  One of dead was a 106 year-old woman, killed in her bed by a falling roof beam.

The quake hit hardest the Romagna region of the Po river valley, an area known for its production of Parmigiana and Grana cheeses. 

Premier Mario Monti, who is attending the G8 NATO summit in Chicago, is returning to Italy immediately.

Welcome back to my blog on Italy.  It’s time to talk about Vatican City.  I must admit, that of all the attractions Italy has to offer, I did not think the Vatican would be very interesting to anyone who wasn’t a devout Catholic.  But, I was wrong.  The history is pretty fascinating.  Let’s begin with some minor, but important facts, shall we?

First, the Vatican is not only a city; it is a complete small state, and indeed a whole (but tiny) country in its own right within the boundaries of Italy.  It became such in 1929 when the Lateran Treaty was signed granting it separation from the policies and workings of Mussolini’s Italy.  It has its own flag, army, budget, labor force, railway, post office, and radio station.  There are about 1,500 residents.  The governor, for lack of a better word, is called the Supreme Pontiff and is Pope Benedict XVI.  The Secretary of State is Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

The Vatican City is built on the site where it is believed the tomb of St. Peter was buried some 2,000 years ago.  Many Popes have made residence here and some of their reigns have not been without controversy.  There are many stories that would even seem to belie the spirituality of this holy place – some ancient, some more modern day.  One notably persistent story (some say is a myth only) is that a female posing as a male priest rose within the ranks to be appointed Pope John Anglicus.  The deception was not uncovered until Pope Joan, as she became to be known, delivered a baby on a narrow road during a procession from St. Peter’s Basilica.  Once her identity was relieved, she was killed and buried on that same road.  It is also commonly know that many Popes fathered children.  Christopher Columbus was thought to be the illegitimate son of Pope Innocence VIII who supposedly fathered at least eight children.

The Vatican is protected, still to this day, by the Swiss Guard.  They are still all male, all Catholic, and all Swiss. Their job is to keep the peace within the Vatican and to guard the Pope.

The museums and chapels are must sees.  But, be sure you allow ample time to enjoy the few you can get into.  There are so many paintings within the museum walls that (it is said) if you were to take only one minute to admire each one it would take you over four years to view them all.  The altar wall and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel were painted by Michelangelo from 1508-1518.  The artist painted six days a week, for more than eight hours a day, either standing up or lying on his back on scaffolding he built himself…in the sweltering heat of the un-air-conditioned sanctuary.

While you’re there, stay at the Hotel Alimandi Vaticano…it’s near the museums so you can get a head start on the other tourist.  Or, consider Excel Rome St. Peter; expensive, but only 550 meters from St. Peter’s Square.  Both places are known for their friendly staff and generous breakfast buffets. 

Until next week….Arrivederci!

QUALCOSA MANGIAMO L'ITALIANO!  (LET'S EAT SOMETHING ITALIAN!)

It's late and I'm hungry...and doesn't talking about Italian food sound more interesting than talking about Vatican City?  Yeah, I thought so too.

It's important to start the conversation about Italian food with a little advice...don't plan to go to Italy and eat nothing but pasta and pizza.  You'd be missing out on some early great foods.  Coastal areas  have wonderfully fresh seafood and luscious wines.  Nuts, eggplant, and Barolo (one of Italy's most acclaimed wines) are specialities of the Piedmont region. Central Italy is know for fabulous vegtables and olives.  And, Italians love a good meat dish, especially veal.

Looking for something sweet?  Order up a cannoli with rich, sweet creme-cheese filling.  Or, what about a soft, moist piece of fresh tiramisu?  Oh my goodness....yes!  Let's make some right now!

Tiramisu   

Ingredients

• 1 container(s) (8-ounce) coffee low-fat yogurt
• 1 container(s) (8-ounce) vanilla low-fat yogurt
• 1/2 container(s) (2 ounces) whipped cream cheese
• 1/3 cup(s) confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoon(s) confectioners' sugar
• 1 package(s) (3-ounce to 4 1/2-ounce ) sponge-type ladyfingers
• 2 tablespoon(s) coffee-flavor liqueur, optional
• 2 teaspoon(s) instant espresso-coffee powder
• 3/4 cup(s) coarsely crushed amoretti cookies
• 1 1/2 cup(s) thawed frozen light whipped topping
• Unsweetened cocoa , for garnish

---

Directions

1. In small bowl, with rubber spatula, mix coffee and vanilla yogurts. Place large paper coffee filter in small metal strainer set over small bowl. Spoon yogurt mixture into coffee filter; place in refrigerator. Let yogurt mixture stand 2 hours (whey will drip into bowl and yogurt will be slightly thickened).
2. Remove yogurt mixture from refrigerator and discard liquid in bowl. Spoon yogurt mixture into bowl; stir in whipped cream cheese and 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar until well blended. Set aside.
3. Separate ladyfingers into halves. Cut each half crosswise in half and place in jelly-roll pan. In small bowl, stir together coffee-flavor liqueur, instant espresso-coffee powder, 1/4 cup hot tap water, and 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar (if not using coffee-flavor liqueur, increase hot tap water to 1/3 cup and espresso-coffee powder to 1 tablespoon). Brush ladyfingers on both sides with espresso mixture.
4. In each of six 8-ounce parfait glasses, layer 4 pieces of ladyfinger, 1 scant tablespoon crushed amoretti cookies, 2 tablespoons yogurt mixture, and 1 heaping tablespoon whipped topping. Repeat layering one more time. Sprinkle with cocoa if you like. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until ready to serve.

_________________________________________________________________________________

If you make this tonight, bring me a piece!  Yum-O!