This building on top of the highest hill in Cosenza is a Norman castle. I don’t normally take photos at night but I was at dinner with the group I’m with, and the castle was so well lit. Dinner was good fun with everyone quite rambunctious and I will be sad when this conference is …
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Acroneo – Ancient Wine Making in Acri….
I’m in Cosenza for a few days at a cultural conference. Yesterday we went on a bus trip into the hills outside Cosenza. There we visited a very unique wine making project outside Acri, an ancient hill town which predates Greek settlement. A local archeologist, with the sponsorship of a university, has recently embarked on …
Cosenza Cathedral
Just to show that I am actually seeing some interesting sights rather than following news from Australia on my smart phone, here is a shot of the 800 year old cathedral in Cosenza. There are some other buildings in the same street which are even older. It’s tricky to fathom all this, given the terms …
The GWS bandwagon
Right now I am in Cosenza in Calabria for a few days, but I can’t escape AFL and nor would I want to! GWS is into its first grand final after giving Collingwood supporters more pain than the federal government’s refusal to increase Newstart allowances and quite frankly, I am happy. One of the sweetest …
If the Ancient Romans could drive on the left, why don’t the Italians?
There is abundant archeological and recorded evidence that the ancient Romans used to drive and walk on the left side of the road. It comes from keeping your shield on your left and your sword arm quick to draw, in case of ambush. Driving on the left is what made the Romans great, and probably …
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Off to Consenza!
This train is a Frecciaargento ETR485. It has a maximum speed of 280 kmh. It will take me most of the way to Paola. Why don’t we have trains like this in Australia?
The Down Under Bar Rome: Less Authentic Than Fosters Lager….
When I was a foolish 18 year old (as opposed to the foolish 50 year old who at least knows he is a fool), I said many silly things, one of which was something about how fantastic Fosters Lager is. (Yes, it was still commonly available in Melbourne in 1987.) Now you can only get …
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The not really Australian Bar….
My Italian is so-so. ‘Buffonata’ if you can see the links to the related English word, means something like a practical joke. And taking the bus down Via Della Buffalota to the Australian Bar on the corner of Via Canberra and Via Tasmania put me in mind of a good old fashioned buffonata. You see, …
When in Rome, eat burgers!
Sightless in Dubai
I’m in transit right now, in Dubai. Never been here before and I had a window seat for a change (I outgrew window seats about 20 years ago). Sadly, some sort of haze means the skyline can barely be made out in the distance. I can only barely make out the silhouette of the Burj …
Lost For Words! 