On this episode I discuss with Francis the ‘changing of the guard’ in European politics. How Macron will crush Le Pen and Barnier’s role in centre right French politics. We cover Merkel’s Swan Song, her successors, the Bavarians and the next Bundestag elections in September. Then on to our favorite topic; Italy! How Draghi mayContinue reading “‘A Couple of Europhiles’ cover EU politics; Merkel’s swan song, the Bavarians, the next Bundestag, Draghi, Macron – and Covid, of course.”
Category Archives: Stories from the Odyssey
meanwhile, in Berlin
In the land where pasta is al dente and the coffee tastes like a milkshake
Italy’s often considered a country of artisans. What they do well they do better than most – just watching Massimiliano Poggio make a Caffè Shakerato offers an example. Tomorrow Italy begins to open up. I wonder how tourism will unfold. Here in Piemonte they don’t rely on services and tourism, instead they spend most theirContinue reading “In the land where pasta is al dente and the coffee tastes like a milkshake”
What would I say at 57 to me at 44?
Doubt I’d say much to discourage the courage it took to carry on when I was 44 living in Malta. During the low point of our long, nomadic adventure. But that was then and now I was nervous. I was getting ready for my close-up, trying to focus on the questions I’d just received. AnContinue reading “What would I say at 57 to me at 44?”
Once upon a time I experienced pathological grief – so I took a trip to Auschwitz. Here’s a little film about it…
Competitive expats, Molière’s Misanthrope and one very long dinner party in Paris
My friends call me the Vagabond Lady because I tend to drift. Paris, however, has kept me stationary for 2 years, but I doubt I’ll stay longer than three. I was 42 when I arrived in La Ville Lumiere. A great age to embrace her distractions. With a lot of energy, and comfortable in myContinue reading “Competitive expats, Molière’s Misanthrope and one very long dinner party in Paris”
Malta’s archipelago, Italian actors and one very exotic obsession in Lyon
Daily Bailey Alexander No. 6 Peaceful pilgrimage
There’s so little time and so many stories to share, like the time I stood in line for 12 hours to see John Paul II lying in State. I wasn’t even religious, but this was one of the most popular and beloved Popes, history’s most well traveled and first non-Italian to hold the title ofContinue reading “Daily Bailey Alexander No. 6 Peaceful pilgrimage”
Daily Bailey Alexander No 5: Slow Food
Excerpt from the video: The Slow Food Movement has become a world wide phenomenon yet it began here in Piemonte, where they take it so seriously you can attend a University for the gastronomic Sciences in the town of Bra, where the movement was born. This is where their headquarters remain, where they create internationalContinue reading “Daily Bailey Alexander No 5: Slow Food”
Daily Bailey Alexander No. 3 Winter
Excerpt from the video: Piemonte has so many seasons, far more than just 4. There’s a season for cutting the wood and carving large pencils for the vineyards, planting saffron and artichokes, a season for planting my roses, pruning them, picking them, a season for nature walks with Anna Fila Robattino, famous for knowing everythingContinue reading “Daily Bailey Alexander No. 3 Winter”