- Location
- London
Look forward to the route posting.
By the way Andy M, do you have any Italian blood or relatives?
By the way Andy M, do you have any Italian blood or relatives?
Italy.
- Thread starter Yellow7
- Start date
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- Location
- London
mm - well I take it that it wasn't a long exchange with Yellow7 and this chap could of course have been a pure malcontent convinced that the world is run by giant ants, but I wouldn't dismiss casual encounters and views expressed. They can be illuminating. Years ago I was travelling around Italy with friends on the trains. We split for a while. When we met up again one friend said that a guy had asked him what he thought of Italy. Naturally (he meant it) he said he found it really nice. At which point this chap went into some rap about how it was a great country, apart from the southerners who he expressed somewhat strong views about. My mate, and me, found this somewhat bizarre to say the least and pretty much discounted it. Then later I came to understand more.
Recently I was in a supermarket in Sardinia (no I'm not a posh rich member of the yachting set) and when the youngish woman behind the fish counter learned that I was a foreigner sang the praises of London (I told her it wasn't beautiful as she insited but interesting) she told me in a somewhat bored voice that Sardinia was mare/mare/mare - sea sea sea. The person I was with dismissed her as an idiot but neither of us had any idea what thought processes lay behind this strong feeling. For all we knew she may have been a marketing graduate. Or not. It would have been patronising to assume anything about her, and there's a fair bit of patronising of the young in Italy. I've seen it on Italian TV in reporting of the Cinque Stelle.
Chance encounters can be enlightening. Of course there are also the in-depth political discussions, dismissed by some as bla bla bla.
If Yellow7 has more info on his meeting, it would of course be interesting.
giuseppe lorenzulli
New Member
I think you have not seen enough about Italy! It is normally considered one of the most interesting places in the world and it is very strange to hear someone is annoying by Italy landscapes. Which areas have you visited? I suggest you a visit to Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda as well. Landscapes, villages, monuments and typical building will astonish you!
Hill Wimp
Fair weathered,fair minded but easily persuaded.
I'm gobsmacked, it's one of the most beautiful and scenic places to cycle.
Are you sure you were in Italy ???
Are you sure you were in Italy ???
- Location
- London
Well mr yellow makes some specific points.I know someone in Genoa who says she would never cycle there. I have found campsites in sardinia expensive, though in their defence their season is quite short for various reasons. I have heard wonderful things about the Abruzzo and rather have the impression that free camping might be easier there than in some other parts of Italy.
steveindenmark
Legendary Member
I will have to read your blog because you must have been to parts of Italy I haven't been to.
As for cleanliness. You have just left the UK which is an expensive dustbin. At least there is a certain charm about Italian rubbish. The Dolomites are great as are the Italian lakes.
I am just wondering if you are a glass half empty or glass half full type of guy. Maybe your blog will tell me.
Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Steve
As for cleanliness. You have just left the UK which is an expensive dustbin. At least there is a certain charm about Italian rubbish. The Dolomites are great as are the Italian lakes.
I am just wondering if you are a glass half empty or glass half full type of guy. Maybe your blog will tell me.
Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Steve
- Location
- London
My my this (revived) thread is taking a curious turn.
I'm confused as to which blog you are referring to Steve.
If it wasn't for your avatar name I'd take you for a certain sort of Italian which does exist, particularly online, but thankfully rare.
Hell, you've got it bad. I doubt the folks who live with it think that. Is there a certain charm about Italian murder, paedophilia compared to northern variants?
Nothing charming about Italian rubbish - if you aren't up to speed on this I can give you a few bullet points/links.
I'm confused as to which blog you are referring to Steve.
If it wasn't for your avatar name I'd take you for a certain sort of Italian which does exist, particularly online, but thankfully rare.
Hell, you've got it bad. I doubt the folks who live with it think that. Is there a certain charm about Italian murder, paedophilia compared to northern variants?
Nothing charming about Italian rubbish - if you aren't up to speed on this I can give you a few bullet points/links.
As pointed out Italian campsites are generally more expensive than France or Germany IME.
I have just come back from Sicily and the rubbish in and around the towns around Etna ( Adrano, Centuripe and their environs) was astonishing. Some of the beautiful hillsides were awash with bags of trash.
To be fair, I've never seen that elsewhere in Italy although I haven't toured south of Bologna.
I have just come back from Sicily and the rubbish in and around the towns around Etna ( Adrano, Centuripe and their environs) was astonishing. Some of the beautiful hillsides were awash with bags of trash.
To be fair, I've never seen that elsewhere in Italy although I haven't toured south of Bologna.
- Location
- London
Sounds like a great trip rich - were you cycle touring or was this a more conventional holiday? I hope to get back to Sicily soon.
The Naples rubbish problem was reported worldwide over an extended period and I think a CCer used to live in the area so maybe has more info.
In fact "rubbish problem" makes it sound like a few too many thoughtless folk dropping toffee wrappers - in fact it was/is a sorry tale of corruption, appalling civic management, violent organised crime and a very serious health hazard which many have feared will affect the newborn.
Anyone who knows Italy knows that while even humble houses are very often spotless the treatment of public space is another matter.
And there's also a massive problem in many areas with petty vandalism. And the graffitti is on a different scale to Britain - maybe it's a desparate attempt to reignite the renaissance.
This was in the news just recently on the wider issue of waste management - again a polite term:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/26/italy-trash-idUSL6N0O930C20140526
The Naples rubbish problem was reported worldwide over an extended period and I think a CCer used to live in the area so maybe has more info.
In fact "rubbish problem" makes it sound like a few too many thoughtless folk dropping toffee wrappers - in fact it was/is a sorry tale of corruption, appalling civic management, violent organised crime and a very serious health hazard which many have feared will affect the newborn.
Anyone who knows Italy knows that while even humble houses are very often spotless the treatment of public space is another matter.
And there's also a massive problem in many areas with petty vandalism. And the graffitti is on a different scale to Britain - maybe it's a desparate attempt to reignite the renaissance.
This was in the news just recently on the wider issue of waste management - again a polite term:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/26/italy-trash-idUSL6N0O930C20140526
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steveindenmark
Legendary Member
Blue Hills.
I was referring to this blog
http://www.wallisonwheels.net/
As for my avatar name. I am actually English but have lived in Denmark for 12 years. I don't often come back to the UK but as soon as you get away from the airport the difference between here and the UK is huge, when it comes to rubbish.
I am often in Italy but don't travel South of Verona and am mostly around Lake Como as its the home of Moto Guzzi. I have never seen the amount of rubbish you are talking of. Probably because the authorities have a vested interest in keeping the tourist areas clean.
Malta was a tip though. Someone could have made a fortune out of recycling plastic bottles.
Yellow..I am enjoying the blog. It's nice to see you have found some of the good things in Italy. I will follow your blog with interest and may be able to help you further down the line.
Steve
I was referring to this blog
http://www.wallisonwheels.net/
As for my avatar name. I am actually English but have lived in Denmark for 12 years. I don't often come back to the UK but as soon as you get away from the airport the difference between here and the UK is huge, when it comes to rubbish.
I am often in Italy but don't travel South of Verona and am mostly around Lake Como as its the home of Moto Guzzi. I have never seen the amount of rubbish you are talking of. Probably because the authorities have a vested interest in keeping the tourist areas clean.
Malta was a tip though. Someone could have made a fortune out of recycling plastic bottles.
Yellow..I am enjoying the blog. It's nice to see you have found some of the good things in Italy. I will follow your blog with interest and may be able to help you further down the line.
Steve
