Why?  Well, when running English courses at Il Sole 24 Ore’s Business School I come across young Italians who have given up on the idea of pursuing a career in journalism in Italy because it is too difficult to gain a foothold.

Well, hopefully I can use BlogfromItaly.com as a kind of spring board to make it a little easier for aspiring journalists to enter the profession.

There is also an opportunity, via GlobalPost, for budding Italian journalists to gain a little international exposure. There are, however, a couple of catches.  Aren’t there always?

Catch One

The catch is that any Italians who might like to write for BlogfromItaly.com will have to do so in English.  I’m told, by some English speaking journalists I know, that this is a tall order.  They think it will be very difficult to find Italians who can write well enough.  While this may be the case, through my years teaching English, I have come across a few Italians who can write pretty well in English, so I remain optimistic.

In judging writing quality, I’ll be harsh, as I’m looking for people who can write very well indeed.  Those who are rejected have not need to feel disillusioned, rejection simply means they need to keep on developing their skills.

Actually, if you happen to have any Italian friends who can write very well in English, do tell them about this initiative and encourage them to reveal their talents to the world.

OK, so that’s one of the catches, now it’s time for an incentive.

Write for GlobalPost

GlobalPost

I mentioned this talent-spotting idea of mine to GlobalPost’s Head of Blog Development, John Wilpers, and he liked it.  Moreover, he said that he would be prepared to pass the names of obviously talented writers on to GlobalPost’s editors.  In turn, the editors might give the people concerned an opportunity to write an article for GlobalPost, for which they might well be paid.

Hey presto, young journalist receives international exposure and ends up writing for a whole range of publications.  One career kick started. OK, so I’m being a little optimistic, but there’s no harm in trying.

Additionally, writing articles for a real news website will help Italian journalists qualify as such in Italy, in that as part of their training, trainee journalists need to complete 40 paid articles before they can receive official recognition as journalists in Italy .  As explained in the Jobs section, BlogfromItaly.com is not a registered publication (I’m looking in to how this could be achieved), so even if I paid someone to write an article, it would not help them qualify as a journalist in Italy.

“What’s the point then?”, you might be wondering.  The point is that people who are not sure of their ability to write in English can send me an example article and if it is written well, it’ll be published here on BlogfromItaly.com and on Global Post -where BlogfromItaly’s posts, articles or whatever, are featured.  In addition, I know that BlogfromItaly.com is visited by some journalists,  a couple of whom are friends of mine, and I’m sure these people will let me know if they find a piece which catches their eyes.

Benefits for BlogfromItaly

What does BlogfromItaly.com get out of the exercise?  Simple, some extra content, which I hope BlogfromItaly.com’s readers will find interesting.  With a little luck having others write articles for me will take a little weight of my back during periods, such as around now, when I’ve got too much on to be able to dedicate enough time to this site.

The more content BlogfromItaly.com has, the more people will visit and read, and this will increase the chances of talent being spotted!

Catch Two

You mentioned two catches. What’s the other one?  The other catch is that whoever does write articles for BlogfromItaly.com will not be paid, although I’m trying to find a few sponsors to fund some of the articles.  Indeed, these sponsors could even commission an article, if they liked.

Please contact me if you would like to offer one or two ‘bursaries’.  Sponsor’s names will be mentioned on the Jobs page and at the end of any of the articles they’ve contributed towards.

Let the Talent Contest Commence!

Right.  I hope you like the idea.  I already have one Italian who’d like to try out.

Plagiarism

Just in case there are some ‘furbo‘ people out there, any articles submitted will be checked for plagiarism.  Firstly by myself, and secondly by passing readers.  If plagiarism is discovered, it will look bad for the writer concerned, who, as a consequence, will probably have to kiss goodbye to a career as a journalist.  The articles concerned will be removed too.

If anyone has any suggestions as to how this initiative can be improved or developed, please let me know.

This is an experiment, as I have no idea what kind of response I’ll get, and I doubt I’ll be snowed under with requests.  But it would make me feel good if I can be instrumental, in a small way, in launching the odd career or two.

Thanks for reading.

Whilst checking out new BlogfromItaly friends on the @newsfromitaly Twitter channel, I came across an Italian blog which rails against aspects of Italy which are far from perfect.  This Italian blog makes grim reading, as its ‘Don’t read this Blog’ title warns.

Well, some people do read the blog they shouldn’t, and one of them is apparently a Carabiniere policeman who wrote the Italian blogger behind ‘Don’t Read this Blog’, Wil, a letter.  The police officer is known to Wil by all accounts (I asked Wil), but he was reluctant to reveal his name.  While perusing Wil’s blog, I came across the policeman’s letter and found its contents worrying.  In order that you can understand why, here is said policeman’s letter which I have translated into English.

If you have a moment, read it.  And remember that it was written by a serving Italian policeman.

The Policeman’s Letter

Dear Wil,

I’m 45 years old, and have served as Carabiniere [policeman] for  25 years.  I read your blog [Non Leggere Questo Blog] every day, and every day I shudder with disgust at the disgraceful actions of this government.  At work I do not hide what I think of Mr. B. and the havoc he is wreaking in Italy.

I love my country and I dream that one day it will become normal, a place where democracy is real, and where citizens are served by honest politicians.  A place where my children can have a proper education and can find work without needing ‘recommendations’.  A place where everyone pays taxes,  and where justice is respected and valued.  For these ideals, my colleagues think I am a sh**ty commie-anarchist.

Some 95% of my colleagues are right wingers / Northern League supporters (and may even be normal). The vast majority of these are fascists (meaning that on their desks or in their lockers or wallets or on their mobile phones they have pictures of Il Duce – Mussolini – or they have his speeches and films or songs popular during the Mussolini period), and when immigrants are mentioned, they are all “non-Europeans” “niggers”, while all left wingers are are “sh**ty communists”, and “f**king environmentalists” whose “arses should be kicked” or who should “all be killed”.  The disgraceful actions of Mr. B. are “the lesser evil”  and “…just let me get on with my job”. Misinformation dominates [Italy] and the truth interests almost no-one.  In the event of a mobilization or “coup” or coup d’etat or civil war (I touch wood in order not to tempt fate) Italy’s Police Forces will line up (quite willingly) with those who initiate the coup.

I think the time has come for those who believe in other values and who do not want the [Italian] Constitution and the country to be definitively destroyed by these people, to standup and make themselves heard, express their dissent, declare loyalty to the Constitution (the original one) and to fight by civil means against this abomination.

Thanks, bye.

It makes quite interesting reading, don’t you think?  I think the policeman who wrote it probably thinks Italy is falling.

From a mini-conversation via Twitter with Wil, I ascertained that the policemen concerned; or should that be ‘concerned policeman; works up in the north of Italy – which explains the reference to Italy’s Northern League party.

In Italy, while the political parties like to give the impression that they are ‘centre’ left and right, the right wingers are not quite as ‘central’ as those on the left of Italy’s centre.  For some Italians right is good, whereas other think left is better.  It’s a little different to the situation back in the UK where I am from.

The Old Adversaries

In the UK the antagonists of old were the socialists and the conservatives – the working classes versus the ruling classes.  Nowadays, what with the socialists having mutated into a funny thing called ‘New Labour’, the battle no longer rages so fiercely.  The current conservatives don’t seem too far removed from the Labour party when all is said and done, and I am under the impression that voters in the UK don’t seem to be too sure who stands for what.

Within the Living Museum, though, the warring factions are those traditional antagonists, the fascists (But don’t call them fascists, because a) publicly they hate the label b) they don’t think they are, except some, who secretly carried Mussolini photos in their wallets and handbags.) and the communists (You can call communists communists in Italy, and they won’t become irate!  Watch your babies though!).

I think many would admit that the Italian flavours of both communism and fascism were never quite as extreme as the Soviet and Nazi interpretations.

Today’s Italian commies, for example, would probably not go around slapping people in the Italian equivalent of Siberia (not sure there is one in Italy, anyway! – Bolzano?! – only joking!), although you get the impression that the fascist wannabes are bit more sinister, and would like nothing more than to don black shirts and wander around beating up coloured people, gays and the like.  The policeman’s letter above appears to confirm that such people in Italy do exist, unfortunately.

Three Murdering Communists

It’s a shame that neither those who want to be fascists, nor those who like the idea of being communists have noted that at their extreme ends, neither of these ‘isms’ is much different.  Both fascist and communist regimes tend to round up hoards of people and then either imprison or shoot them. Want a few examples?  Germany, Soviet Russia, China under Mao, Cuba, Cambodia, North Korea, and even Spain.

In many of the countries which have been subjected to extreme regimes, things kicked off with a revolution.  This is something which has not escaped the attention of Italians.  Indeed, there is a fear amongst some Italians the Berlusconi and Co might be plotting a little take over.

Fear of Coups in Italy

The word ‘coup’ has cropped up a few times in Italy’s press recently.  You would be surprised at how many people in Italy still worry about what could be called the Banana republic method of changing governments.  I’ve even unearthed an article in English from the socialist daily Morning Star online which uses the word ‘coup’ in the title of this article about recent goings-on in Italy: Rome rages over Berlusconi ‘coup’.

Personally, while I don’t think a coup is that likely, I do think there are one or two people in Italy who might be capable of trying to engineer such an event…  In this case, Italy might well fall.

My politics?  Let’s call it a variety of ‘Futurism’ – everybody working together today to ensure the world is a better place tomorrow.

Thanks Wil

With thanks to Wil of Non Leggere Questo Blog for allowing me to republish the policeman’s letter.  The original post is here: Anche i Carabinieri, nel loro piccolo, s’incazzano -translation: Even the Carabiniere, in their own little world, get pissed off.

Silvio Berlusconi

Caught up in this media manipulation episode, Italy’s latest scandal of many, is the head of Italy’s supposedly independent television watchdog, AGCOM, one Giancarlo Innocenzi, and, to make matters a little worse, the Director of the RAI One state television channel’s prime time TG1 news service, Augusto Minizoli has also been named in investigations.

As if Berlusconi’s party’s recent election bungles were not enough, now Italy’s beleaguered Prime Minister and, by all accounts, wannabe Italy Editor in Chief, is once again in a pickle.

200,000 Turn Out to Protest in Rome

Today in Rome mass demonstrations against the recent actions of the Berlusconi government, in connection with its handling of the election slate mess, and other scandals, have been held.  According to the online offerings of Italian newspapers La Repubblica and Il Corriere della Sera, around 200,000 Italians have taken to the streets today to lament what is happening in Italy.  Who can blame them?

One Scandal after Another

Berlusconi’s government seems to be facing one scandal after another.  It’s almost as if the scandals are lining up, with each one quietly awaiting its turn to be revealed.  How Berlusconi has managed to survive this virtually continual barrage of explosive stories is just about beyond belief.

Commies and Judges

Of course Berlusconi’s people are saying that these scandals are nothing more than an attempt by Italy’s left, and its judiciary, to bring down Berlusconi.

Anyone who has been Italy watching for the last year or so will have noticed that Italy seems to be attracting more than its fair share of international attention, what with even the BBC’s irreverent Mock the Week teams pulling Berlusconi’s leg.

Perhaps Berlusconi could have been a little less direct in his criticism of Italy’s judiciary.  After all, if you go around bad-mouthing judges, sooner or later they will fight back.  As a result of continual criticism, that interesting little morsel of information which might or might not involve judiciary bashing Berlusconi might just happen to find itself at the top of various prosecutor’s to-do lists.  Indeed, this seems to have been the case – the investigations which form the basis Il Fatto Quotidiano’s latest revelations began as a fairly ordinary investigation into credit cards, would you believe!

Had Silvio Berlusconi’s past involved no more than a few run ins with the police for going a little too fast in his Ferrari, and not much else, then he might have got away with his attacks on Italy’s judiciary, which he recently labelled as ‘Taliban’.  By his own admission though, Berlusconi is no saint.

Poking Prosecutors is not Wise

When one has appeared in court on more than on occasion, continually ruffling the feathers of a bunch of intelligent well-educated people such as judges is, perhaps, not the greatest of ideas.  As a consequence of their probable annoyance, Italy’s prosecutors and judges may have ended up harbouring the odd grudge or two against Italy’s tanned leader.  And what better time than on the eve of important elections to have a quiet chat with a national Italian newspaper, Il Fatto Quotidiano, about investigations into whether Italy’s Prime Minister has been employing somewhat underhand methods to try and keep his foibles out of sight of the public?

What’s that old saying? Ah yes, the bigger you are, the harder you fall.  So far though, and much to the surprise of everyone outside of Italy, Berlusconi has merely been teetering.  Some do expect his house of cards to come tumbling down, and one of those people would appear to be none other than Berlusconi’s very own ally, one Gianfranco Fini.

Scandals Galore in Italy

Recently in Italy, we have had (see, too, Silent Storms in Italy which was mentioned by Italy’s L’Espresso):

• investigations into backhanders in connection with G8 construction works,
• accusations against a Berlusconi politician for collusion with the mafia,
• the gagging of television programs critical of Italy’s government,
• the election mess up,

and now this, Italy’s very own Prime Minister who has been apparently trying to silence democracy in Italy by, amongst other things, reportedly trying to kick the programme Annozero off air.

What’s next?  A coup d’etat?  Oh, and I’m not joking, the word ‘coup’ has been bandied around in the Italian press for a few weeks now, and even a policeman thinks it could happen…

But the really annoying thing is that all these scandals are painting a horribly bleak picture of Italy, when there are plenty of other sides to the country which are extremely merit-worthy, and there are lots of great people in Italy too.

Perhaps the time has come for someone to call it a day and stand down.

But enough about Rome. I gleefully read the article about New York Cabbies on Gladdling this morn, New York cabbies caught overcharging passengers – 1.8 million times

That’s a lot.

It also shows how the world is much the same. It’s amazing to me that many rural-based American folks who wouldn’t dare set a tootsie in New York for fear of getting mugged (or ripped off by a taxi driver) will head off for a visit to Rome without a care in the world.

What I’m sayin’ is that street smarts is street smarts, wherever you go. Big cities everywhere are are full of people who make a better living than their peers by relying on their cleverness to extract more money from a client who is not paying attention.

So pay attention. Don’t just watch—see!

That said, I have chosen a house in a rural area of Italy. Taxi drivers have so far been wonderfully civil in the Lunigiana. You might consider getting out in the country if you’re afraid of cities—or unwilling to pay attention to your surroundings.

On the other hand, Rome is a wonderfully diverse city of surprises, art, and Roman ruins. If you pay 20 Euro too much for a taxi, what’s it matter in the grand scheme of things? You can get mad, you can huff and puff, the veins can stand out grandly on your forehead and still, it won’t make a bit of difference. Trust me, you’ll have a great story to tell which will leave folks clucking and shaking their heads over how superior their country is.

It’s a good interview. And there are comments below the text. Like lots of what passes for “discourse” in the US, the comments soon degenerate into xenophobic idiocy.

I’ve never been to the area of Tuscany that is described in this story. I’m sure the land is pretty, however, it’s the people that many disagree with. What other country in Europe (or the entire world) charges a “cover charge” to eat in their restaurants. Absolutely pathetic… ~ MarcoP

I always love the idea of arbitrary hate. Where does that come from? You hate the people of a place because the restaurant charges a cover charge just like clubs in the US? Why is that?

But nevermind, Marco probably isn’t going to read this. But I’m going to talk about cover charge anyway.

Coperto is a small fee, usually a couple of Euros or so, tacked on to an ala carte meal you eat in a ristorante. Usually, the coperto is included in the price fixed meals, as in the “pronzo di lavoro” or “worker’s lunch” served in my corner of Tuscany, the Lunigiana.

This cover charge was implemented years ago, and was listed as one time as a “bread and cover” charge. It is explained as the cost of washing the linens and providing the free stuff—like pane or, as we say, “bread”.

How folks think they’re getting ripped off when they get charged the coperto is troubling to me. It’s written on the menu, usually at the bottom, so it shouldn’t be a surprise. It is a way of breaking cost out that is different, I suppose, than the way we do it in America. So what?

When restaurateurs were allowed by the crack Italian government to add the charge to menus, they all did, of course. So, in a sense, this became part of the equalization. The free market tells you that if you are willing to pay $15 for a meal, then it doesn’t matter if the charge is $5 for cover and $10 for food, or if the cost of cleaning the linens is included in the all inclusive charge of $15. Its the same goddam thing. You’re not getting ripped off, you’re just getting charged in a different manner.

It’s different in the US, where the charges might come as a complete surprise to the uninitiated. We’re told by the restaurant owners, “Hey, we don’t wanna pay our help, so you’ll have to do that yourselves.” So we leave a “tip.” This is what makes the American experience less “pathetic” I’m thinking, to guys like MarcoP. It’s just so darn logical (if you’ve lived with it all your life and haven’t traveled to see how other people might do it that is).

On top of all this added crap, of course, there’s the tax. So when we decide that we just have $15 and the meal is gonna cost us $15 we have to say, “Hey, wait a minute! I can expect to be charged much more than that!” Imagine what foreigners think after eating a $15 meal that costs them over $20. It’s nuts.

(Even nuttier in San Francisco, where the employee health insurance is added to your bill in many cases!)

So should Italy please us by eliminating tablecloths? (remember that in the US, restaurants are charged over $1 per napkin and $4 to wash a tablecloth, and if you think you’re not getting charged for that, stop reading now—you’re certifiably nuts! Get help!) The answer to the eliminate tablecloths question is not only “no!” but “hell no!” And here’s why: The Cultural Anthropology of Tablecloths

——-

Did you know you can volunteer to do so hot archaeology inside Rome’s Monte Testaccio? It’s on the Wandering Italy Facebook page. Become a fan. It’s, ahem, a select group.

Overall, I have to say that I have found the BlackBerry incredibly useful.  Being able to use email, surf the internet, interact on Facebook and Twitter wherever I find myself, has been very handy indeed.

I guess it would be fair to say that the BlackBerry Bold has contributed in no small part towards increasing traffic to BlogfromItaly.com too.

The list of things one can do with a BlackBerry seems to be just about endless.  It’s a mobile powerhouse!

Handy Blackberry

My BlackBerry Bold Display

Via the BlackBerry, I’ve been able to follow events, take and post photographs, and organise my day.  That is not all though.  Google Maps, which works better than Blackberry’s built in GPS navigation system for some reason, has proven extremely useful, and, amongst other things, has helped me find my way around Rome.

I’m a big BlackBerry fan now, and do prefer it to my other half’s Apple iPhone.  The iPhone is an excellent smart phone too, but I prefer the BlackBerry’s real keyboard to the virtual touch keyboard of the iPhone.  I could probably become used to the iPhone, but  I’ll most probably stick with BlackBerry.

I have not gone overboard installing applications on the Bold because what is already on the phone works fine for me.  All I’ve added are the mobile Facebook application, and after trying out another Twitter client for the BlackBerry, I’ve been enjoying the power of a rather useful little Twitter application called UberTwitter, which is little better in some respects  than the TweetDeck program which enables me to tweet from my iMac desktop.

Next on the essential apps for your BlackBerry list is Google Maps with Latitude.

Handy Navigation

Google Maps with Latitude is very, very useful for finding your way around, and its GPS location system is startlingly accurate outdoors, so much so that you can use it to find your way along streets.  For me, getting lost has become a thing of the past, thanks to this clever technology.  I know some people have expressed privacy concerns over Google’s Latitude service, but it is possible to hide one’s location, so one can remain ‘invisible’.

BlackBerry’s inbuilt in GPS map system has never really worked for me.

Portable Guide Book

Another nifty aspect of the Bold is that via internet you can use it as an excellent portable guide book.  Indeed, one can whip over to Wikipedia and read up on an area before arriving.

I have been able to check up on which local delicacies to try in particular areas of Italy, which is very handy.  One could even use the Bold’s internet system to locate a good restaurant with little difficulty.  Actually, whilst heading for a destination by train, it’s great fun to use the Bold to check out the destination.

Of course, once at your destination, you can find your way around using the BlackBerry and Google Maps.

Call Quality

No complaints here, really.  Call quality is excellent.  A little more volume would be handy at times, but I think the problem lies with my deteriorating hearing, and not with the Bold!

BlackBerry Niggles

Not all has been plain sailing though.  The availability of GPS navigation, plus being able to receive and send email, tweet to Twitter and do stuff on Facebook seems to drain the Bold’s battery very quickly indeed.  I have been informed that the battery life of more recent model Bold smart phones is greater.

At times, and for no discernible reason the Bold resets itself, but the UberTwitter software is a Beta application, so it is not yet 100% stable, and this could be why my Bold stutters sometimes.  The fact that I’ve dropped the poor phone a couple of times may not have helped either.  The Bold survived the falls, even if its casing shows the signs of the impacts.  I’m told that the batteries used in Bold smart phones are sensitive to impacts, so I wonder if this has something to do with the reduced battery life I’ve been getting.

The Pearl

Blackberry Bold 9000

I know that others have had issues with the mini-trackball my Bold is fitted with, but I’ve not really had too many problems.  On a few occasions it has stuck, and I’ve not been able to scroll up, but the little ball has always freed itself up.  I become rather sweaty in Italy’s steamy summers, and I was worried that this might have had an adverse effect on the Bold, but it has not.  My Bold has boldly soldiered on.

Note that recent versions of the BlackBerry Bold no longer have the little pearl trackball, instead they have a touch sensitive ’square’ and navigation is accomplished by dragging one’s thumb over the surface of the little square touch pad.  I have used one and found it to be fine, although it might take a little getting used to for pearl users like me.

Mobile Internet in Italy

While BlackBerry donated the Bold to me, I’ve been paying for the call and internet connections.  Vodafone Italy is my provider and I pay around €10 plus VAT a month for the data connection facility.

Sending and receiving emails has been fine, but surfing the world wide web in Milan has not been great.

Mobile internet in Milan seems to be as slow as sludge, and it’s becoming worse.  Peak times, such as early morning and evening, seem to be the worst with some Italian websites either not loading at all, or loading and then crashing.  Oddly enough, websites such as that of the Telegraph.co.uk tend to load more quickly than the mobile sites of the two Italian newspapers I often refer to on the move.

The two Italian newspaper sites I like to look at are those of La Repubblica and Il Corriere della Sera.  Recently, I’ve all but given up on Il Corriere della Sera’s mobile offering, as it just will not even load any more.  The La Repubblica site, on the other hand, tends to be OK generally, although even it can have its off-days.  I installed the La Repubblica mobile site icon to my Blackberry Bold the other day, and as a result the newspaper’s mobile site seems less recalcitrant than before.

From what I’ve understood, Apple’s data hungry iPhone, which is all over the place in Milan, places a strain on mobile network infrastructure.  I suppose this could be why Milan’s mobile network often slows to a crawl.

Just in case you are wondering, I’ve used the Bold to connect to the world wide web via wi-fi at home, and it has been very zippy.  The fault for slow mobile connections does appear to lie with Vodafone’s mobile network in Milan.

Bold Wishes

Blackberry Italy

If anyone were to ask how the Bold could be made even better, I would say that a larger screen would be nice.  Other than that, I’d like the useful little camera to produce images which are better quality and a little less grainy.  Better video quality would be nice too.  For a form of basic photo blogging, with a better quality camera, the Bold would be a wonderful tool.

Recommended!

I would have no problem whatsoever recommending a BlackBerry Bold smart phone to someone.  Once you’ve got one of these things, you’ll find it difficult to live without.

Thanks Cinzia!

With grateful thanks to Research in Motion’s (RIM) Cinzia Liguori, BlackBerry PR Manager for Italy and Greece, for having kindly provided me with a BlackBerry Bold 9000.

Nice piece of kit. Blazing fast focus. I’m still playing with the High Def Movie mode.

At the same time I’m playing with this camera, I’ve been busy at work on the Wandering Italy Facebook Page. I figure since I travel a lot and have comments turned off in the blog, the facebook thing would be for a way for me to interact with you. So head on over if you want to tell me to write more about attending the 2010 Giro d’Italia or you’d like to see more videos of Italy or something. Or you can just say “Hi” and ask me about my new toy.

I’ll also be posting some shorter comments on things I see on the net that I like, or I’ll talk about the weather in the Lunigiana when I’m there (less than a month, stay tuned).

Let’s have some fun with this.

At the same time, Berlusconi attempted to put an end, once and for all, to all the vicious rumours flying about the election muddle in Rome.  Only the attempt seems to have led to further confusion.

During said press conference, during which, incidentally, Italy’s defence minister manhandled a journalist who insisted on asking Mr B about the recent Bertolaso bribery case, Berlusconi gave his party’s official version of events surrounding the presentation of election documents in Rome by his candidate, Renata Polverini.

Yesterday, Polverini’s candidacy had been rejected once more, this time by a court which examined the case.  The court held that, firstly, the government issued interpretative ’save the election’ decree was not applicable, and secondly, at the end of the day, Polverini’s team simply turned up too late for her documents to be properly registered.

Apparently though, the press and the judges have got it all wrong.  Berlusconi’s party’s left hand did know what the right hand was doing, it was another, left (commie), hand which did the bungling – the papers did not arrive late, even if every one else thinks, or reported, that they did. In support of his claim, Berlusconi gave a blow by blow account of what happened during the presentation of the Polverini documents, and used it to shove the blame firmly onto the shoulders of the bureaucrats who handled the papers.

We can only hope, vainly probably, that now Berlusconi has first hand experience of Italian red-tape, he might get round to doing something about it.

From Confused to Befuddled

Despite the attempt to resolve the confusion, observers, like this here blogger, stand as confused as ever.

Were the documents delivered on time, or were they late?  In stating that the documents arrived too late, the Italian press got hold of the wrong end of the stick in Berlusconi’s eyes.  How can the Italian press, much of which is run by Berlusconi, have got their facts so wrong?

If Berlusconi’s version of events is the right one, why then was it necessary for Berlusconi’s people to produce a funny little ‘interpretative decree’ mini-law?  This ‘mend the mess’ law was designed to persuade the administrative courts of Rome and Milan to re-admit Berlusconi candidates.

While the court in Milan readmitted the Berlusconi candidate, the court in Rome confirmed the initial rejection of Rome candidate Renata Polverini’s papers.  Why, if the documents were delivered on time, did the Rome court not confirm Polverini’s candidacy?   Surely if the documents arrived in time, the court would have said so, and the matter would have ended there.

One might also suggest that maybe it was not such a great idea to try to register important electoral papers at the very last moment.  Berlusconi’s party obviously had not heard of ‘Murphy’s Law’.  Or maybe they had, and wanted to stir up a little controversy to divert attention away from other scandals…

If the whole thing is such a tempest in a teacup, why all the fuss?

Reactions

The Italian opposition parties reactions to Berlusconi’s claims have ranged from stating that Berlusconi’s version of events is pure fantasy (Bersani), to labelling Berlusconi as the devil incarnate (Di Pietro)!

Then there is the march.

The March March

To counter the street protests organised by opposition parties to complain about the handling of the election paper mess and the ‘interpretative decree’, Berlusconi has called on his own party faithful to take to the streets.  Only during his press conference, Berlusconi mentioned the 20th March as the date of the march, but now, confusingly, the 21st March is being mentioned as the date when Berlusconi supporters are expected to march through the Rome piazzas in support of their leader.  Although, from what I’ve understood, something similar will be held on the 20th anyway.  Even Berlusconi supporters might admit to being a little confused by the two March marches.

At both of these rallies, Berlusconi’s number two, Gianfranco Fini, will be conspicuous by his absence.  When questioned on this by Italy’s rumour mongering press, Fini remained rather cagey as to why he’s not going to turn up along with the other party faithful.  This sends out a confusing message, in that if all of what Berlusconi has been saying is true, why won’t Fini offer his support?

Rome March or Marathon?

Then we come to the other ever so slightly confusing fly in the increasingly opaque ointment.   On the 21st March there is the Rome marathon.  Holding a political rally in the midst of marathon confusion is probably not the best of ideas.  Unless, of course, Berlusconi is to run in the Rome marathon!

Situated in the midst of the unspoilt Italian region of Umbria in a gorgeous medieval village, the house for sale is not far from the truly spectacular Marmore Falls, the highest waterfalls in Europe.

Jazz fans may be interested to hear that the annual Umbria Jazz festival is held in Perugia, which is about an hour away by car.

Far away from the hubbub of the big city, this home for sale has been restored and is ready to move into.  The house is located within in a village so tranquil that you will probably be able to hear yourself unwinding.  As an added bonus, cars are not allowed into the centre of the village, so you’ll be able to sleep in without having to be worried about being awakened rudely by some passing Ferrari or Ducati.

Casa Mauela, for sale in Umbria, Italy

There are plenty of other attractions too, such as the breathtakingly beautiful views you’ll wake up to.  And with the addition of a pleasant roof terrace, how about breakfasting whilst gazing out over the lush green Umbrian countryside?  In the evenings you could chat to a few guests over a prosecco based aperitif.  Sheer bliss.

All this must sound rather tempting, so if you would like to know a little more, and see a few photographs of the house and its fabulous views, then please read on to find out more about Casa Manuela.

For Sale – Casa Manuela, Umbria, Italy

A View from Casa Manuela, Umbria, Italy

The accommodation

Casa Manuela, Umbria, Italy

Ground Floor

• Fully fitted kitchen

• Living room with open fireplace

• Dining room

• Bathroom

First Floor

• Two bedrooms

• Bathroom

Second Floor

• Bedroom

Externally, there is a courtyard with a separate side entrance.

Attractions in Surrounding Area

Not far from Casa Manuela there are the truly spectacular Marmore falls, which are the highest waterfalls in Europe.  Then there is Lake Piediluco, which is an ideal place for those who like water sports such as canoeing, windsurfing and sailing.  Keen boats-men and women with a penchant for exploring may be interested to learn that the Velino River into which Lake Piediluco drains is navigable.

Here is a map which shows Lake Piediluco – zoom out to see where this is in Italy:

Those who love a spot of fishing might be interested to hear that royal perch, tench, pike, coregone, albarella, and eels await them in the lake.  The pike should be king sized!  Oddly enough, well, oddly for me, pike is a rather tasty fish, I know, I’ve tried it.

Want More?

Jazz lovers might like to know that in nearby Terni there is a jazz festival which is held in July, and of course, in Perugia, there is the world famous Umbria jazz festival, which is also held in July. This is the house for jazz fans!

Actually, there are more than enough of local events to keep one going in the area around the house.

Disadvantages?  Only one, really.  You will need a car, but then to get the best out of any country area, a car is essential.

Christmas

A view of Casa Manuela, for sale in Umbria, Italy

Whereas heavy snowfalls can present problems in other parts of Italy, Casa Manuela will not become snow bound.  OK, it might every so often, but it would be the exception to the rule.  This, of course, means that the house would a fine place to spend Christmas.

Skiers will find challenging slopes not too far away near L’Aquila in the Abruzzo region.

To discover the asking price of Casa Manuela, please visit the real estate agent’s English language web site, where you will also be able to see more photographs, and, should you wish to do so, arrange a viewing.  Then all that remains is for you to do is make an offer!

See more photographs and the price of Casa Manuela on the Umbrian Property real estate site

If you do contact the agents, please mention BlogfromItaly.com. Many thanks.

Disclosure:  Neither BlogfromItaly nor its author, Alex Roe, are receiving anything in return for running this post.  OK, Alex might earn himself a few cups of coffee for posting this.

That’s a new Calla Lilly we’ll sink into the soil as soon as the morning temperatures stabilize below freezing.

But you’re not interested in gardening in California, are you? No, you’d rather be sinking a shovel into the ancient soils of Umbria or learning to sort the wild edibles of Italy wouldn’t you?

Well, you can. In fact, for the money, if you’re interested in gardening and are going to be in Umbria, I’d venture to say you’d be nuts not to take a Spring Garden Workshop at the Art Monastery at Casale Santa Bridita. A more beautiful place to garden would be difficult to find, I’m guessing.

I actually don’t have to guess. I’ve been there. The picture on the right shows the little cafe (you know, called a bar in Italy) with some great views of the surrounding rural countryside.

The good news is that the workshop doesn’t cost a lot. Where are you going to get a week of experiential travel for a mere €390? With limoncello tasting. Check it out.