ITALIAN  TRADITIONS

Easter 

Each region has its own Easter recipes, that are useful to preserve region traditions. There are also two elements that represent in the best way the Easter tradition. They are the same for each part of Italy and they are: the “Easter Egg”, a big chocolate egg that contains some small or big surprises, such as pendants, small games, peluches or jewel; and the “Dove”, symbol of the  fecundity, made with eggs, butter, sugar,  flour and almonds. Then there are also the “Marzipan Lamb” and the “Doughnut”, that represent the thorn crown put on Christ’s head. These are the symbols you can find from the north to the south of Italy; but there are also lot of differences about the main course, vegetables which can recall you different parts of Italy.

Italian fashion

 is famous around the world, though it is not just a question of styles. Italian fashion has become so conventional and so known that people call it, "Italian look"

DIARY OF ITALIAN GIRL

A piece of italian way of life

29 March.

Dear diary,

can you guess what happened yesterday?

Last night at Laura’s party I was on the balcony and I was watching the panorama, when unexpectedly someone told me: “ hi! Do you remember me?”

First I thought that it was a banal excuse to know me but when I looked at him I recognised his unmistakable eyes. Was really him ?

Would really never have thought that boy met in that village I could see really here in Naples?

I was silent and he told me:  “ I’m Mark, do you recognised me?»

“ Yes, of course I do how can I forget you! Why are you here?”  

“ I have come with my family to see my grandmother for Easter holiday, you know she has just moved from Milan!»

“ How are you?»

“ Fine thanks; there is too much confusion here. What about going and eat pizza?”

“ Ok, I’m very curious to taste a true pizza! ”

So we went to a pizza-restaurant, a while we were waiting, he asked me some information about pizza. 

He has changed a lot as; he is more a more interesting. At the end we exchanged the numbers of our mobile phones here.

I hope that he will keep his promise and that we will meet again soon.

30 March.

Hi diary! I’ m very happy, you can’t believe me but Mark has really call me.

He has told me that his mother wanted to meet me again, so I have gone to their house this morning.  

I was a bit embarrassed because initially they were cold but than they have revealed very pleasant.

I was curious to know their typical food but they don’t have them differently from us Neapolitans, how is it possible? They have offered me polenta but I didn’t like it with this heat too. But because polite I have eaten it I can make everything !!!

Mum had recommended me to take them some typical Neapolitan Easter food as: tortano ( it is a mix like pizza in the form of a stuffed bun with sausages and cheese) and pastiera ( a cake with ricotta and wheat) and they have appreciated them a lot.

31 march

Dear diary,

Today is Easter! You cannot imagine what has happened! This morning about 10:00 I have gone to the church, how many people! I don’t bear people who go to the church only during the religious festivities! When I have returned home (about 12:00) I heard someone ring at the door who was? He was Mark with a very beautiful Easter egg! I was fainting at his feet! What emotion, he at my home, oh my god!

1 April

Hi diary! That stupid boy Mark has made me an ugly joke. Today it was holiday and I have gone to call him because we had to go out, but when I was arrived his grandmother has opened the door and told me that he had already gone away: it was a hit for my heart but he was hidden behind the door and he has jumped out and has frightened me. I had forgotten that today it was “ fish of April “ … I have always hated this day! 

25 april

Dear diary,

i’m very sad, mark left but i thought he would have come on the 25^th of april when in italy we remember the end of the war, but he will not come.

Excuse me if i have not written in these days but i was very busy at school. I will try to write to you as often as jean .

3 may

Dear diary,

I have beautiful news for you: Mark called me ha day before yesterday and he explained me why he has not come. First I was very angry but as soon as I have heard his voice I forgot every thing! He was very busy too at school and that’s why he couldn’t come. He misses me so much… but soon summer holidays will come, so we can meet again; you know our families have decided go to that village in Calabria again.

I am anxious that holidays arrive but can you realise it?

A whole month together… I already imagine our walks along the beach, our evenings in the disco with our friends and the runs with our motorbikes.

I will start the countdown!

Naples, 22.4.2002

Dear diary,

I have gone around this morning with Mark for boutique with the intention to purchase some jeans griffato, a beautiful pair of boots style" cow-boys", or one of that short giubbinis always of jeans with some strass,oppures still a minigonna:I to have to renew my spring closet with all these things that are to the last moda,bat , I have to say that the stylists of the tall fashion think only about their models or similar magre,ed I, that find me had been fattening up of different kilos for last year, have not succeeded in even not wearing a top!

Memory, that evening in Rome, to Piazza di Spagna, when saw that parade of tall fashion of the most famous stylists, live of such class that, those without strass also sparkled!

But I don't care of Armani,of  Versace or of Dolce and Gabbana, is a fashion distant from the to dress of a girl, and then is a lot of expensive!Better the liberty to eat all of my preferred dishes and anchors better to go, instead of the boutique to the my usual MERCATINO!

Dear diary,must  know that Naples is full of "mercatini",where all the common people it purchases what he wants without minding the trade-name.Every it turns that I go there I always return happy home and with some new purchase. The thing that I like is the heat of the people!I sellers that attract the attention of the crowd with the shouts,las their liking in to converse so confidenziale,lontano from the cold style pleasant professionale,rende also the to spend so many European!

Here in Naples it is so, we love the to converse even if it is the useless "una chiacchierata” (one chatter) and it stuffed, here we use to say, also her" risatella" that I am the to speak and to laugh at simple things.

I greet tomorrow now you I have the unpleasant assignment of Latin.

With affection,

           your Alessia

The football in Italy 

A piece of italian way of life

After have seen the most beautiful monuments of Naples, Marco asks Alessia to go to the stadium.They take the bus and after few minuts they arrive to the “S.Paolo”, one of the biggest stadium of the Italy.

That day at the stadium there was Napoli vs Reggina an important match to decide which team must go in the first division.

Alessia: Marco do you know at what time does the match start?

Marco: Yes, I think at 3 p.m.

Alessia: Oh, it’s a quarter to 3 p.m.! we must hurry up. Let’s buy two tickets for us.

Marco: Good idea, let’s go!

(into the stadium)

Marco: Oh, what a huge stadium! Did you come here yet?

Alessia: Yes, when I was 3 years old and when MARADONA was here, my father brought me to the stadium to support our team.

I don’t know a lot of thinks about football. How many leagues are there in Italy?

Marco: There are three principal divisions: the first league (Serie A) which is composed by eigtheen teams: Inter, Juventus, Roma, Chievo Verona, Bologna, Lazio, Milan, Parma, Piacenza, Venezia, Verona, Udinese, Torino, Fiorentina, Perugia, Atalanta, Brescia and Lecce.

The second league(Serie B) which is composed by twenty teams: Modena, Como, Empoli, Sampdoria, Salernitana, Vicenza, Crotone, Cittadella, Genoa, Reggina, Messina, Palermo, Siena, Cosenza, Ternana, Pistoiese, Bari, Cagliari, Ancona and NAPOLI.

The third league is the Serie C.