#Piazza Bra

[howamidrivinginlimbo]

I Portoni della Brà, Verona

The current gate was built between the end of the fifteenth century and the early years of the sixteenth century.

[coffeenewstom]

Kaffee mit Aussicht: das La Costa in Bra, Verona

Von den beigen Korbstühlen vor dem La Costa aus überblickt man den ganzen Platz. Elegante klassizistische Gebäude säumen das Areal, die “Arena”, das zweitausend Jahre alte Amphitheater des Kaisers Tiberius im Osten, die gepflasterte Piazza Brà mit dem kleinen Park in der Mitte, dahinter der Palazzo Barbieri, das heutige Rathaus von Verona und schließlich das Portoni della Brà, die beiden Torbögen…

[blackswaneuroparedux]

The bikini is the most important thing since the atom bomb.

Diana Vreeland

The origins of contemporary bikini day may be traced back to a French engineer, a Parisian exotic dancer, a nuclear testing site in the United States, and a postwar fabric shortage.

In 1946, Western Europeans joyously greeted the first war-free summer in years, and French designers came up with fashions to match the liberated mood of the people. Two French designers, Jacques Heim and Louis Réard, developed competing prototypes of the bikini. Heim called his the “atom” and advertised it as “the world’s smallest bathing suit.”

French fashion designer Louis Reard was determined to create an even more scandalous swimsuit. Réard's swimsuit, which was basically a bra top and two inverted triangles of cloth connected by string, was in fact significantly smaller. Made out of a scant 30 inches of fabric, Réard promoted his creation as “smaller than the world’s smallest bathing suit.”

Réard claimed that the bikini was named for Bikini Atoll, the site of nuclear tests by the United States in the Pacific Ocean.

Louis Réard's bikini was so little that he couldn't find anyone brave enough to wear it. After being rejected by a number of fashion models, he came across Micheline Bernardini. She was a 19-year-old nudist at the Casino de Paris who consented to be the first to try on his daring bikini. Michelle Bernardini debuted this revealing costume at the Piscine Molitor in Paris during a poolside fashion show, and it revolutionised swimwear on 5 July 1946. The bikini was a hit, especially among men, and Bernardini received some 50,000 fan letters.

Before long, bold young women in bikinis were causing a sensation along the Mediterranean coast. Spain and Italy passed measures prohibiting bikinis on public beaches but later capitulated to the changing times when the swimsuit grew into a mainstay of European beaches in the 1950s. Réard's business soared, and in advertisements he kept the bikini mystique alive by declaring that a two-piece suit wasn’t a genuine bikini “unless it could be pulled through a wedding ring.”

But it really took when what we would call cultural influencers took to it. It was in 1953, thanks to Brigitte Bardot, that the bikini became a "must-have" and the history of the bikini became historic, when she was photographed wearing one on the Carlton beach at the Cannes Film Festival. She also wore one in 1956, in the film "Et Dieu… créa la femme".

The United States also caught on to the trend, as it was only two years later that Ursula Andress posed in a white bikini on the poster for the James Bond film, Dr. No. The poster created a considerable marketing coup, and women adopted the bikini. According to a study by Time, 65% of younger women adopted the bikini in 1967.

There is no question the bikini is hardly modern. Many think they date back to ancient Roman times because of the murals uncovered in excavated ruins in Sicily. This isn’t really true.

Despite the celebrated images from the mosaics in Piazza Armerina, of the ancient Roman girl wearing what looks like a bikini, the answer is, “not really”.  The ancient Roman girls weren’t even first to wear what to our eyes looks like a bikini. However, the fact that we seem to find “bikinis” in ancient depictions should make us rethink our hubristic bias that we in modern times have invented everything and that people in ancient times didn’t know how to live.

Archaeologists have found evidence of bikini-like garments that date to as far back as 5600 BC. That’s roughly 5000 years before the Romans did so. In the Chalcolithic era of around 5600 BC, the mother-goddess of Çatalhöyük, a large ancient settlement in southern Anatolia, was depicted astride two leopards while wearing a bikini-like costume.

Two-piece garments worn by women for athletic purposes are depicted on Greek urns and paintings dating back to 1400 BC. In fact, even just the notion that women participated in sports in the ancient world should make us sit up and take notice.

Today we tend to imagine women in the ancient world as being practically sequestered in their homes, spinning, weaving and having babies. But this is a gross oversimplification of their role.

Active women of ancient Greece wore a breast band called a mastodeton or an apodesmos, which continued to be used as an undergarment in the Middle Ages. While men in ancient Greece abandoned the perizoma, partly high-cut briefs and partly loincloth, women performers and acrobats continued to wear it.

In the famous mosaics to be found at Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, the girls who seem to be wearing the “bikini” are Roman and the so-called bikini had already been around for at least 5,000 years by then. In the artwork “Coronation of the Winner” done in floor mosaic in the Chamber of the Ten Maidens (Sala delle Dieci Ragazze) in Sicily the bikini girls are depicted weight-lifting, discus throwing, and running.

The bikini was gradually done away as Christianity became more influential as the centuries wore on. Christian attitudes towards swimming restricted the clothing of women for centuries, the bikini disappeared from the historical record after the Romans until the early 20th century with Louis Beard’s re-invention of the two piece bathing suit as the ‘bikini’.

Photos: In 1956 Emilio Pucci designed this bikini inspired by the mosaics of the Villa Romana Del Casale in Sicily.

[lamilanomagazine]

Verona: in Piazza Bra l'ambulanza ucraina bombardata, simbolo della guerra

Verona: in Piazza Bra l'ambulanza ucraina bombardata, simbolo della guerra. La campagna 'Ukraine is Calling' ha l'obiettivo di raccogliere donazioni per l'acquisto di 112 nuove ambulanze. Un invito a riflettere sulla tragedia ucraina e sensibilizzare l'opinione pubblica sulla necessità di fornire supporto e assistenza. Un simbolo forte, per far comprendere gli orrori della guerra e per schierarsi, ancora una volta, dalla parte della pace e della non violenza.... Leggi articolo completo su La Milano Read the full article

[enibas22]

from IG michelle..ma..belle - 13th June 2023

🚗💨💨💨 Benvenuto a Verona Tom Vlaskìah 😅🤣

Piazza Bra, Verona

🏎️

[30-before-30-but-im-27]

Verona, Venice, Lake Garda Itinerary

Verona

Day 1:

Juliet’s Tomb - €7 (pays for Juliet’s house) 

Juliet’s Statute - FREE

Juliet’s House - paid for

Castelvecchio Museum - €7 pays for Lapidary Museum 

Lapidary Museum Maffeiano - paid for 

Ponte Pietra - FREE

Teatro Romano - €4

Cattedrale di Santa Maria Matricolare - €4

Piazza delle Erbe

Piazza dei Signori + Statue of Dante FREE

Scaliger Tombs - FREE

Giusti Garden - €11

Day 2:

Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore

Verona Arena - €9

Piazza Bra - FREE

Porta Brosari - ancient entrance to the city - FREE

Santuario della Madonna di Lourdes - 40 min hike + sanctuary on a hilltop overlooking Verona

Day 3 VENICE:

9:22 train arrives 10:50 - £20 

St. Mark’s Square - FREE

St. Mark’s Basilica - €20 + Pala D’Oro + Museum Loggia Cavalli 

St Mark’s Clock Tower

Doge’s Palace

Bridge of Sighs - FREE

Grand Canal - FREE 

Rialto Bridge - FREE

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

Librairie Aqua Alta - FREE

Venetian Arsenal (12th-century shipyard) - FREE

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Museo Correr

Ponte Chiodo - FREE

Squero di San Trovasco - FREE

Gondola Ride - £80

La Tecia Vegana for food   

Return train at 9 pm

[europeposts]

Verona

City in Italy

Piazza Bra, often shortened to Bra, is the largest piazza in Verona, Italy, with some claims that it is the largest in the country. The piazza is lined with numerous cafés and restaurants, along with several notable buildings. The Verona Arena, an amphitheatre built nearly 2000 years ago, is now a world-famous music venue with regular operatic and contemporary music performances. Verona's town hall, the Palazzo Barbieri, also looks out across the piazza

Juliet’s House-Museum in Verona, Italy-Visiting Juliet’s house in Verona: the power of a love story

Inside the house you can get a good idea how people like Juliet and her family used to live, and you can admire Juliet’s bed. Well, it’s not really her bed, but a bed used for a love scene in the movie Romeo and Juliet (1968) from Franco Zeffirelli.

The Verona Arena is a Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra in Verona, Italy built in 30 AD. It is still in use today and is used for large-scale opera performances.

The Ponte Pietra is a Roman arch bridge crossing the Adige River in Verona, Italy. The bridge was completed in 100 BC, and the Via Postumia from Genoa to Aquileia passed over it. It is the oldest bridge in Veron

Fontana Madonna Verona-Tourist attraction in Verona, Italy

This is a nice fountain in a beautiful square. It is not outstanding and overshadowed by the surrounding attractions but is worth a look at when you are in the square.

Piazza delle Erbe is a square in Verona, northern Italy. It was once the town's forum during the time of the Roman Empire.

Verona is a city in northern Italy’s Veneto region, with a medieval old town built between the meandering Adige River. It’s famous for being the setting of Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet." A 14th-century residence with a tiny balcony overlooking a courtyard is said be “Juliet’s House." The Verona Arena is a huge 1st-century Roman amphitheater, which currently hosts concerts and large-scale opera performances. 

Population: 257,353 (2017) Istat

Local time: Tuesday 06:30

Demonym(s): Veronese; Scaligero

Dialing code: 045

Elevation: 59 m (194 ft)

ISTAT code: 023091

Verona - Wikipedia

Verona / Italy (by George Kormpos).

[capettitwrites]

Blurb: In Verona's bustling streets, beneath the shadow of Juliet's iconic balcony, a traveler reflects on the weight of tradition, love, and the enduring objectification of women. As tourists flock to touch the bronze statue of Shakespeare's heroine, seeking luck in love, one woman confronts her own past and the cultural stories that shape us. 'To Be A Statue' is a poignant exploration of autonomy, trauma, and the silent strength required to reclaim one's narrative.

CW: Sexual harassment/assault, objectification, implied trauma.

They say that touching certain parts of statues will bring good luck. Rubbing the belly of a Budha, or a dog statue’s nose, or the Charging Bull’s balls. I’ve seen my fair share of bronze statues buffed by human hands, even participated in some myself. A little turtle on Il Porcellino in Sydney owes its shiny head, at least in part, to me and the daily pets I give it on my morning walk. Something about bronze statues just makes us want to reach out and touch. 

Verona, Italy was beautiful. A day and a half of cramped legs and turbulence was well worth it for the medieval town that meandered along the Adige River. The orange street lights glittered off the turquoise water. Foliage of trees and potted plants hanging from balconies doused the streets in green. Burnt orange and muted yellow bricks contrasted against the beige masonry of the Romanesque architecture that surrounded us. 

Yesterday, Hayley and I had visited the Arena. While only a third of the size compared to the Colosseum, we were absolutely struck by how much it imposed. The streets of Piazza Bra from the Arena danced like a rainbow with its colourful houses. In addition to the tour, we managed to get tickets to Giuseppe Zenatallo’s Aida and the tragic opera filled our evening. 

Today, Hayley and I stand in Juliet’s House. Well, her courtyard to be more precise. Amongst the crowds, we admire her balcony and the ivy-coated trellis her Romeo would have climbed. The gate at the back of the courtyard is heavy with the weight of lovers’ locks, names of couples daring to love like Romeo and Juliet shining out under the sun. I can’t help but be reminded of the love lock bridge in Paris and wonder how long before the government puts an end to this too. How long before the gate falls over and all those relationships shatter with it?

There’s a bronze statue of Juliet standing just below the balcony. The people queue to have a photo with her and we join the curling line. All around, the tourists chatter in a thesaurus of languages. As we come to the front, with Juliet’s dim face staring back at us, I remember how cruel humanity is. Locked into herself, the people laugh and fondle her breast. Only her clothed chest has been rubbed golden. 

‘It’s a tradition,’ Hayley whispers to me. ‘They say if you touch her right breast, it’ll bring good luck for finding your one true love.’ 

The more I look at her, the sadder her eyes seem. It’s a familiar sadness. With our eyes locked, the line between statue and person begins to blur. As if the day were Friday and we spoke in unison, I feel I’m the one encased in bronze, standing there having my right breast cupped and carressed for the good fortune of a stranger. Juliet takes my place in line with Hayley, carrying all my history. 

It seems easy to put that young girl, only age fourteen, in my place. In my memories, my fiery red locks turn into her coppery bronze. The girl in My Little Pony pyjamas, dancing to Hannah Montana, becomes the statue Juliet. When Aunt Petra helps Mum in the kitchen and her boyfriend stays, I’m no longer the one in the room. Juliet takes the fall. Dull bronze shining under his touch. Maybe it’ll bring him luck. Maybe he and Aunt Petra will be together forever.. 

I can feel tourists groping at my breast when Juliet wanders onto my high school oval. The boys crowd her like the sightseers at Casa de Giulietta. It wasn’t her fault that she began maturing so young. It was natural for her to have a D-cup chest by the time she started high school. She wasn’t doing anything wrong when she let them ogle her. As far as she was concerned that’s what gave her purpose. If being sexualised was the only time she was given attention then how can you blame her for letting them have their way?

Juliet never grew past that point. Man devoured her before she became a grown up. Murder by lust. I think if she had the opportunity to live in this world a little longer, her eyes would have ended up looking like mine. Maybe her eyes were even the same shade ofshade of green. With age, they’d harden and grey. With age, she’d learn to hate her body. With age, she’d come to learn that Romeo never loved her. His infatuation was flighty and hardly worth the death she endured. Dream that the two resolved their families’ issues, that they spent their final moments with wrinkled hands wrapped around each other. Enjoy that innocence. 

‘Should we leave a message?’ Hayley asks and gestures to the wall below Juliet’s balcony. Littered in messages from young lovers in the hopes their love will last forever. Wandering closer, I see notes from Gloria and Chiara, Leo and Baby, E+R, someone named Armin. Messages that read ‘por las amores que te hacen’ and ‘que se lia conmigo’ and ‘I love my family so much’. People will do anything other than work hard for what they want. Relying on superstition and luck. 

I don’t want love. Not anymore. 

‘Yes,’ I answer and Hayley pulls out a paper and pen. She’s never been one to leave the house without some stationary on her. Writer’s habit, she jokes. Taking the pen in hand, I write down my wish. Maybe someday Juliet will make it come true. 

‘For love that liberates rather than confines. In the pursuit of dreams, may we shatter the bronze ceiling.

-Serena’

[lucacaserta]

Inauguration of the exhibition “Between Sky and Earth” by painter Simone Butturini, during which my documentary "The Canvas Forge", produced by Nuove Officine Cinematografiche and featuring the artist, was screened. The film is available on YouTube at the following link:

https://youtu.be/p6SeaX-dD8o?feature=shared

The exhibition, with free entrance, can be visited at the Mancini and Tantini Law Firm (Piazza Bra 10, Verona, Italy) until January 20th, 2025 🎬🎥👍

[delectablywaywardbeard-blog]

Pasquetta in piazza: una celebrazione unica a Bra

Bra, il 1° aprile 2024, ospiterà la manifestazione di Pasquetta in Piazza Giolitti. Un evento che si caratterizza per un programma variegato, che avrà come protagonisti i bovini di razza Piemontese. Questi saranno esposti sotto l’ala in cemento in occasione della 147ª edizione della rassegna zootecnica.  Nel centro della piazza avrà luogo il mercato dei prodotti tipici, con le eccellenze di…

[coffeenewstom]

Kaffeemitbringsel aus dem Sommerurlaub

In einem Straßencafé an der Piazza Bra neben dem Kolosseum von Verona. Wir atmen die warme Frühlingsluft, blinzeln in die Sonne und beobachten wie Kräne die Dekoration zu Verdis Nabucco von Lastern abladen. Einige Kinder spielen, ein Hund bellt, als römische Zenturien verkleidete Studenten lassen sich mit Touristen fotografieren. Am Nebentisch unterhalten sich Italiener. Der melodiöse Singsang…

[personal-reporter]

Preparati per il Natale con le offerte di novembre in Italia

Il Natale si avvicina e, con esso, la voglia di fare shopping per trovare i regali perfetti per amici e familiari. In Italia, novembre è il mese delle offerte, con tanti negozi che propongono sconti e promozioni per attirare i clienti. Shopping nei negozi Anche nei negozi fisici è possibile trovare offerte e promozioni per il Natale. Molti negozi offrono sconti su una vasta gamma di prodotti, tra cui abbigliamento, accessori, elettrodomestici e articoli per la casa. Alcuni esempi di offerte nei negozi: H&M: H&M offre sconti su abbigliamento e accessori per uomo, donna e bambino. Zara: Zara offre sconti su abbigliamento e accessori per uomo, donna e bambino. Unieuro: Unieuro offre sconti su elettrodomestici, elettronica e prodotti per la casa. Ikea: Ikea offre sconti su mobili, accessori per la casa e decorazioni natalizie. Decathlon: Decathlon offre sconti su articoli sportivi, abbigliamento e accessori. Mediaworld: Mediaworld offre sconti su elettronica, elettrodomestici e prodotti per la casa. Fnac: Fnac offre sconti su elettronica, libri, musica e giocattoli. Trony: Trony offre sconti su elettronica, elettrodomestici e prodotti per la casa. Mercatini di Natale Un'altra opzione per fare shopping natalizio è quella di visitare i mercatini di Natale. In Italia, ci sono mercatini di Natale in tutte le città e i paesi. Questi mercatini offrono una vasta gamma di prodotti, tra cui artigianato, prodotti tipici locali e, naturalmente, decorazioni natalizie. Alcuni esempi di mercatini di Natale in Italia: Mercatino di Natale di Bolzano: Il mercatino di Natale di Bolzano è uno dei più famosi d'Italia. Si tiene in Piazza Walther, nel centro storico della città. Mercatino di Natale di Trento: Il mercatino di Natale di Trento è un altro mercatino molto famoso. Si tiene in Piazza del Duomo, nel centro storico della città. Mercatino di Natale di Verona: Il mercatino di Natale di Verona si tiene in Piazza Bra, nel centro storico della città. Mercatino di Natale di Roma: Il mercatino di Natale di Roma si tiene in Piazza Navona, nel centro storico della città. Mercatino di Natale di Milano: Il mercatino di Natale di Milano si tiene in Piazza Duomo, nel centro storico della città. Mercatino di Natale di Firenze: Il mercatino di Natale di Firenze si tiene in Piazza della Signoria, nel centro storico della città. Mercatino di Natale di Napoli: Il mercatino di Natale di Napoli si tiene in Piazza del Plebiscito, nel centro storico della città. Mercatino di Natale di Palermo: Il mercatino di Natale di Palermo si tiene in Piazza Pretoria, nel centro storico della città. Consigli per lo shopping natalizio Ecco alcuni consigli per lo shopping natalizio: Fate una lista dei regali che dovete fare: Questo vi aiuterà a non dimenticare nessuno e a non spendere troppo. Confrontate i prezzi: Non comprate il primo regalo che vedete. Confrontate i prezzi dei diversi negozi per trovare l'offerta migliore. Approfittate delle offerte: In questo periodo dell'anno, molti negozi offrono sconti e promozioni. Approfittatene per risparmiare. Non dimenticate di fare i regali in anticipo: In questo modo, avrete tutto il tempo per trovare il regalo perfetto e non rischierete di arrivare al ultimo minuto. Read the full article

[lamilanomagazine]

Verona, tre giornate di musica con "Medici per Strada"

Verona, tre giornate di musica con "Medici per Strada" Una festa speciale della musica, per la pace, la solidarietà e il supporto concreto all'operato di Emergency e Medici Senza Frontiere. Un evento culturale no-profit di raccolta fondi, promosso per il secondo anno da Medici per Strada APS, e a cui tutte le band e le associazioni hanno aderito gratuitamente. Ricordare e portare avanti l'impegno e la passione di Gino Strada, che è stato un esempio professionale e morale per i medici. Torna nella seconda edizione, nelle piazze e nelle vie del centro cittadino, il lungo fine settimana in musica, per divertirsi e fare del bene. E' 'Medici in Strada', la manifestazione culturale promossa dall'omonima associazione con la partecipazione del Comune di Verona e di tante imprese e associazioni di volontariato del territorio per la raccolta fondi in favore di Emergency e Medici Senza Frontiere. "Una bellissima manifestazione ��� spiega l'assessore alle Pari opportunità –, che già lo scorso anno ha attivato in una maniera innovativa e diversa il centro cittadino con tantissimi gruppi e soprattutto con un'altissima attenzione ai diritti umani, alla solidarietà. Una iniziativa che rientra in quell'ampia attività che nell'ultimo anno stiamo portando avanti per guardare anche oltre i confini cittadini e richiamare l'attenzione su tutti quei conflitti che nel mondo continuano a perdurare e per dare visibilità a tutte le OMG che a livello internazionale si attivano e sono presidio medico e di solidarietà per le popolazioni vittime di conflitti e per chi ha difficoltà ad accedere alle cure". "E' stato un piacere seguire e sostenere il percorso di realizzazione di questa manifestazione, che ha un'altissima capacità di coinvolgimento in una causa importantissima in favore di associazioni che tanto fanno nel mondo per la salute e la vita di chi è più in difficoltà – dichiara l'assessora alla Salute –. La musica e la volontà di tutti i professionisti coinvolti diventano veicolo per animare un'intera città, attraendo anche i tanti turisti che vi sono in questo periodo presenti. Sarà una grande festa, per una raccolta fondi speciale". La musica è iniziata  da venerdì pomeriggio  in piazza Bra, per proseguire fino a domenica 2 giugno con eventi anche in via Mazzini, porta Borsari, Cortile Marcato Vecchio, Porta Leoni, Cortile del Tribunale, piazza dei Signori. Oltre ottanta le band impegnate tra cui molte composte da medici-musicisti, insieme a scuole di musica veronesi e il Conservatorio di Verona. Le band si alterneranno con spettacoli in 12 piazze, per una splendida maratona di beneficenza dalle 10 alle 20, per proseguire in serata sul palco del Mura Festival ai bastioni di San Zeno, con dei momenti di approfondimento sul diritto alla salute come valore universale, con Medici senza Frontiere, Medici per la Pace e Libera. La manifestazione è stata presentata ieri mattina dall'assessora alla Salute e dall'assessore alle Pari opportunità. Presenti per l'associazione Medici per Strada Emilio Confetti, Chiara Chiappa e Beatrice Zuin e per l'associazione Medici Senza Frontiere Giovanni Di Cera. "Le parole d'ordine sono 'Gentilezza e Pace' che sono i valori universali alla base dei diritti umani – sottolinea Emilio Confetti –. Abbiamo incontrato tantissima solidarietà e tante adesioni che hanno fatto crescere in modo importante la manifestazione, quest'anno realizzata su tre giornate. Tutte le band e le associazioni hanno aderito gratuitamente. Circa cinquecento persone sono coinvolte in questa questa kermesse sulle ali della musica per far volare la possibilità di fare del bene attraverso le donazioni che saranno raccolte dai 'medical buskers' di Medici per Strada".... #notizie #news #breakingnews #cronaca #politica #eventi #sport #moda Read the full article

[giancarlonicoli]

9 set 2023 19:01

FAR WEST ROMA – A 24 ORE DAL LINCIAGGIO DELLO SCIPPATORE INDIANO AL QUARTICCIOLO, OGGI A TOR BELLA MONACA UN NORDAFRICANO HA SPEZZATO UN BRACCIO A UNA VOLONTARIA CHE STAVA RIPULENDO LA STRADA ��� MARICETTA TIRRITO ERA INSIEME AD ALTRI CITTADINI ALL’ASSOCIAZIONE “TOR PIÙ BELLA”, QUANDO È STATA AGGREDITA CON UNA BOTTIGLIA VUOTA – SECONDO IL PRESIDENTE DEL VI MUNICIPIO, NICOLA FRANCO, “È STATO UNO DEI TANTI SPACCIATORI DI ZONA CHE HA VISTO OCCUPATA LA SUA PIAZZA…” -

Estratto dell'articolo di Silvia Mancinelli per www.adnkronos.com

Colpita con una bottiglia di Coca cola vuota che le ha fratturato il braccio solo perché, insieme ad altre donne del quartiere e all’associazione Tor Più Bella, stava pulendo via Scozza. E' successo questa mattina a Roma a Maricetta Tirrito, volontaria da sempre impegnata nel sociale, aggredita da un uomo di origine nordafricana mentre ripuliva la strada.

“Quell'uomo, uno dei tanti spacciatori di zona, ha prima offeso le donne impegnate a ripulire quella che è una delle vie di Tor Bella Monaca abbandonate al degrado, poi le minacce perché evidentemente 'occupavamo' la sua piazza di spaccio, infine quella bottiglia lanciata contro un sasso in direzione della volontaria - racconta all'Adnkronos il presidente del VI Municipio Nicola Franco, stamattina sul posto insieme all'associazione - Voglio esprimere tutta la mia solidarietà a Maricetta Tirrito che, assieme ad altre mamme, aveva deciso di rispondere all’appello di don Coluccia, il prete antimafia, e di pulire via Scozza, a Tor Bella Monaca".

"La reazione scomposta del nordafricano, che ha causato 25 giorni di prognosi a Maricetta, segnala il fatto che la criminalità è in difficoltà - aggiunge - Con la società civile presente e le Istituzioni, don Coluccia e il Dg di Ama Alessandro Filippi con gli operatori, gli spacciatori hanno dovuto interrompere la loro attività. L’aggressore è stato fermato e portato in caserma.

Come per l’operazione blitz di giovedì mattina, inoltre, rileviamo che non sia un caso la nazionalità di quest’aggressore e di quella degli altri manovali della criminalità organizzata: sono tutti extra comunitari. La criminalità si serve di questi soggetti, spesso in possesso già di più fogli di via; non possiamo tollerarli oltre, devono essere portati nei Cie di tutta Italia per poi essere spediti nelle rispettive patrie. Durante le operazioni di bonifica ho trovato e consegnato ai carabinieri un machete e un coltello nascosti in un divano su cui abbiamo poi scoperto che faceva prostituire donne e anche ragazzine. Questa è la strada giusta, non molliamo un centimetro di territorio”. [...]

[veetravelblog]

Milan & Venice, Italy

Our overnight train ride departed Munich at 8:00PM, I reserved a sleeper train on the OBB Railjet. The accommodations were as expected with our own private room, that can sleep up to four, I would not recommend it for four adults, but for two there is plenty of space. We brought snacks, sandwiches and wine for the ride which helped :) The trip was smooth and we were served breakfast in our cabin, shortly thereafter we arrived in Milan with little delay at 9:00AM.  I planned half a day in Milan that began with a couples massage at QCTermeMilano, a spa in the heart of the city that offers an array of relaxation rooms, thermal spas and saunas. After a much needed recharge I could not imagine a better way to spend our time, at about 2:00PM we ordered an Uber to take us to Milano Centrale to catch our train to our next destination Venice. 

For this leg of the trip I reserved two Business Class seats on the FrecciaRossa 1000 due to depart at 3:45PM for €98 (about $50 each), this proved to be the best train experience thus far; the business class cabin was very nice, seats were comfortable and the complimentary snack and drink selection included Prosecco and Italian beer. The train ride was an easy two and half hours, along some beautiful sceneries that changed from the urban view near Milan though the countryside and into the Gulf of Venice. Upon arriving to Venezia San Lucia, our hotel the Grand Canal Suites was conveniently located just across the canal from station. We checked in, dropped our bags and went off in search of some food and wine. Just around the corner from our hotel we found a small restaurant,Trattoria Agli Amici, we looked over the menu and quickly decided on the mussels and vino della casa bianco (white house wine) We were given a tip by our newly made Dutch friends in Germany “In Venice always order the house wine” they said “It may not be on the menu, it will always be delicious, served in a carafe and it will be cheaper than the cheapest bottle on the menu” needless to say they were right! Both items were delicious and our bill was €20 = $20! Being that this was our first taste of Venice it definitely set the bar high. The rest of our evening consisted of restaurant hopping and simply taking in the fact that we were in The City of Love. We found scrumptious prosciutto e melone at Osteria Leone Alto and ended the evening at Mira Hosteria to have dessert which was located just under our hotel with tables right alongside the Grand Canal. We would end up dining at Mira both evenings in Venice, it was that good! 

On our second day in Venezia we decided we would make our way over to Basilica di San Marco and Piazza San Marco or Saint Mark’s Square. In this same area you find the Palazzo Ducal or Doge’s Palace all iconic landmarks of Venice dating back to the 8th Century. Once you start walking towards San Marco and crossing the various walking bridges and canals the crowds begin to thicken. It is much like a labyrinth walking through Venice, I coined my husband with the name human compass because if I would have been alone I would have surely gotten lost! I am a C level conversational Italian speaker but when I mix that with my Argentinian Spanish I can pass for B+ so we were doing alright exploring the quintessential Venetian streets. The alleys and canals are breathtaking in themselves, to think how long they have been there and the talent and time it took to build this city is remarkable. Additionally, since there are zero motorized vehicles allowed there is a sense of peace and quiet, you do not see people even riding bicycles or scooters. Time just goes a bit slower in Venice and we enjoyed every minute. We stumbled upon Bacaro Jazz, the neon cocktail sign drew us in but the jazz music and giant house sangria container made us stay. It was a small venue with friendly bartenders and patrons, strung along the entire ceiling were hundreds if not at least a thousand bras, all different colors and sizes with notes on them from their past owners…I know what you must be thinking and the answer is no… I packed very light for this trip and fit everything in a carry-on and a backpack so my apparel was limited, I could not leave anything behind! (LOL)

At sunset time on our last night we checked an item off of our bucket list that I am sure many of us share, a Gondola ride. During the trip our Gondolier, Pietro shared a lot of great information with us about the town he lived in his entire life.  He let us know that each Gondolier owns his gondola and that there is a rigorous process including school, training, exams and internship before becoming a Gondolier. We asked about cost of living, and how much an apartment or home would cost monthly, he proceeded to shake his head “It has become very expensive” he said “a two bedroom furnished apartment in the heart of Venice would be €1000 per month” in that moment my husband and I looked at each other and gave each other a small nod almost as if to say “huh, not bad actually” As our sunset ride turned into night we ended the jaunt on a high note, as we fantasized about living in Venice for a year or two…

On our last day we checked out, stored our luggage and went out for breakfast at a nearby cafe. We decided that before our 3:00PM train we would walk around a bit and find Cacio e Pepe to eat for lunch it translates to literally mean “cheese and pepper” Anthony Bourdain (rest in peace) had this dish in Italy and claimed to have been the “best thing he’s ever eaten” We embarked on our quest and did not have much luck for a little while until a restaurant host advised that there was a place just over a nearby bridge that serves it.  Upon arriving to this said restaurant, I entered and asked this tall grizzly chef if they served cacio e pepe there? He looked at me and his eyes widened, he raised his hands up and said “Qui non troverai cacio e pepe! Non è di questa regione. Io non lo faccio!” I tried to hold back my laughter and quickly went outside and my husband asked what happened?! I laughed and let him know we were set up! This man was obviously triggered by the question, what he said to me was that I would not find cacio e pepe because it is not from that region of Italy and he does not make it! We were not discouraged  because I remembered seeing cacio e pepe written on a chalk board as a special at one of the restaurants we had a quick bite at the day before. I tracked down the place via my pictures on my iPhone and realized it was on the other side of Venice but we had time and the walk helped build our appetites. We ordered the Cacio e Pepe upon arriving at Trattoria Da Gigi and it was the BEST dish we had thus far. They cook the pasta and then dump it in huge parmesan cheese wheel *drool* top it with freshly shaved cheese and pepper, delizioso! With full tummies and happy hearts, to have found our dish, we made it back to the train station with about a half hour to spare and prepared for our next destination FLORENCE, ITALY, be sure to keep an eye out for my next post to see how it went…