New Moon in Montepulciano

The Twilight Series, written by Stephenie Meyer, was not something I ever intended on reading.  I filed it away with the Harry Potter Series as something I would never actively go out of my way to read and/or watch.  Meanwhile, everyone around me seemed to be falling prey to Twilight.  It wasn’t until a year after the movie was released that I also found myself completely sucked into the world of Twilight.  A good friend of mine had read through the whole series, and immediately bought me a copy of the first book of the series, Twilight, insisting that I read it and promising me I would not be disappointed.   I was just finishing another book and was looking for something easy and light to read next.  So, I decided to give it a go.  I finished the book in less than 2 weeks and before I knew it, I found myself standing in front of the Twilight book display in Chapters with my hands tightly gripping the second book, New Moon.

Needless to say, I finished reading the whole series, and I’m looking forward to seeing New Moon on the big screen.  The movie for New Moon, up until a couple weeks ago, was being filmed in Vancouver.  This week however, filming began in Tuscany, Italy – Montepulciano to be exact.  With a little bit of movie magic, Montepulciano will pose as Volterra, home base of the powerful Volturi vampire coven.  Why is the real Volterra not being used? I don’t really know, but the tourism site for the real Volterra is all over New Moon, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and the whole Twilight phenomenon.  Volterra is described quite vividly in the book, so it will be interesting to see how the Montepulciano “Volterra” holds up and if it can do the real Volterra justice!

Unfortunately, that will have to wait unti the movie hits theatres this November.  But, in the meantime, there are plenty of pictures surfacing all over the internet to give us a taste.

Photo credit:  Black Mine Valentine
Montepulciano set of the clock tower in Volterra

Photo credit:  Black Moon Valentine
Montepulciano set of fountain from New Moon.

For those that happen to be in Tuscany and have time to visit the real Volterra, you can follow this map and visit some of the real sights of Volterra mentioned in the New Moon novel.

My Top 5: Italian Female Singers

1. Laura Pausini

Laura Pausini was born in the town of Solarolo, Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region. She began singing at a very young age with her father who was also a musician and singer. She signed with Warner Music Italy shortly after her song “La Solitudine” won at the Sanremo Music Festival in 1993. Her first professional release, “Laura Pausini”, became a huge success in Italy and abroad. Since then she has gone on to record in various languages including Spanish, English, and French. In 2008, she released her most recent album “Primavera in Anticipo” in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Canada, and many other territories across the globe. She has spent the better part of 2009 on a world tour with dates across Europe, North and South America, and Australia. She is one of the few Italian artists who have been able to capture the attention of the World on such a large scale. Her beautiful vocals, lyrics, and stage presence have made her a household name and she still has a long musical career ahead of her.

Check out these songs by Laura Pausini:
“Una Storia Che Vale”
“Invece No”

2. Anna Tatangelo

Anna Tatangelo captured my attention in early 2008 when she competed at the Sanremo Music Festival with her song “Il Mio Amico”. The song, dedicated to her best friend, broke away from the traditional songs one would hear at Sanremo as it focused on discrimination against homosexuals. However, Anna Tatangelo, who was born in Sora, Frosinone, has been on the Sanremo Music stage before. She was actually the youngest person to win the Sanremo Music Festival’s Youth Award in 2002 when she was just 15 years old. Following her victory, she recorded and released a duet with singer-songwriter Gigi D’Alessio, whom she is currently married to. She has continued to work with Gigi D’Alessio and the results have been promising as her popularity continues to build. Only 22 years old, her music is developing and maturing as she continues to grow as an artist.

Check out these songs by Anna Tatangelo:
“Il Mio Amico”
“Essere Una Donna”

3. Elisa

Elisa was born in Trieste and started writing music when she was just 11 years old. She appeared on a televised karaoke program, Karaoke, when she was 15. A couple years later, she was signed to a record label, Sugar. At 18, she moved to California and started working on her debut album. It wasn’t until September 2000 that Elisa recorded her first Italian song, “Luce (tramonti a nord est)“, which was originally written in English. It went on to win her the top prize at the 2001 Sanremo Music Festival. Elisa is a natural born talent, only 31 years old and already has numerous albums already under her belt including a greatest hits compilation.

Check out these songs by Elisa:
“Eppure Sentire (Un Senso Di Te)”
“Qualcosa Che Non C’è”

4. Giorgia

Giorgia was born in Rome and spent many years singing jazz and soul in local bars/pubs. Her incredible soulful voice and wide range of vocal abilities has made her one of the most respected and famous Italian singers. She made her official debut at the 1994 Sanremo Musical Festival. Although she didn’t win, her stage presence and natural vocal talent captured the interest of many and she quickly became an icon in the Italian music scene. She has sung duets with the likes of Andrea Bocelli, Ray Charles and Elton John. She continues to release albums with great success. Her most recent release, in 2008, is a 3 CD anthology of greatest hits spanning her career thus far (1992-2008). It will include her hits, cover songs, and newer version of some of her classics.

Check out these songs by Giorgia:
“Per Fare A Meno Di Te”
“E Poi”

5. Roberta Bonanno

Roberta Bonanno lived a regular life. Born in Milano, the 22 year old had jobs in retail stores and offices. She spent a lot of time learning English and French. It wasn’t until she entered the popular televised Italian Talent Competition, “Amici”, that her career as a vocalist took flight. In 2007, she competed and won second place and a recording contract. There is no telling where her career will lead, but for now, her single is doing well and has captured the attention of music listeners across Italy.

Check out these songs by Roberta Bonanno:
“Avrai”
“Non Ho Più Paura”

Also, don’t miss out my other posts from the “My Top 5” series:
My Top 5:  Italian Male Singers
My Top 5: Italian Television Programs
My Top 5: Italian Soccer Players
My Top 5: Italian Movies
My Top 5: Italian Females Actresses
My Top 5: Italian Male Actors

Esophageal Cancer Awareness Week (May 10-16, 2009)

This week, May 10–16, 2009, marks Esophageal Cancer Awareness Week in Toronto. This is a cause close to my heart and I think it is very important to spread awareness of this rare and aggressive form of cancer. My father was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer in October 2006 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation. Unfortunately, the treatments did not work and the cancer spread to his liver. He fought hard, but in the end, he lost his battle with cancer in November 2007.

Esophageal Cancer is a very aggressive cancer and is often detected too late. There is also not a lot of research being done so awareness of signs and symptoms is crucial. I personally had never heard of Esophageal Cancer until my father was diagnosed. This disease is quickly becoming one of the deadliest forms of cancer out there with a survival rate of less than 25%. More and more I am hearing from others who are affected or have been affected by this disease and sadly most stories do not have a happy ending.

Causes of Esophageal Cancer (taken from the Canadian Cancer Society website)

Most people diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus are over the age of 60. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus than women.

There is no single cause of esophageal cancer, but some factors increase the risk of developing it:

• Barrett’s esophagus
• smoking or chewing tobacco
• drinking a lot of alcohol, especially if you also use tobacco
• irritation or damage caused by exposure to chemicals or drinking very hot liquids often
• having had other cancers in the head, neck or digestive system

Some people develop esophageal cancer without any of these risk factors.

For more information on Esophageal Cancer contact your doctor, or visit the Canadian Cancer Society.

5 Questions With…Cherrye of My Bella Vita

Cherrye’s blog, My Bella Vita, was one of the first blogs to introduce me to the wonderful world of blogging.  Cherrye is a Texas-born freelance writer currently living in Catanzaro, Calabria.  Her blog is very entertaining and focuses on a wide variety of topics, including one topic in particular that is very near and dear to my heart, Calabria.

My Bella Vita was also one of the first blogs to inspire me to create my own blog.  So, as you can probably imagine, I was really excited when Cherrye agreed to answer some of my questions.

Alright then, let’s get this party started.  Here are “5 Questions With…Cherrye of My Bella Vita“

My Bella Vita explores so many different topics, what was your original inspiration for starting the blog and how has it evolved?

My Bella Vita started as an online journal, as a way to keep family members and friends back home up to date with what was going on in my new life here in Calabria. I remember the first time I had a comment from someone who wasn’t a family member or “real life” friend. I was shocked-and honored. Over the years it has become more focused and is updated every week day. I feel like we have a good community.

Pietre Grande beach near Catanzaro

Your blog has been around for some time now, how do you choose what topics to write about?

I know it sounds cheesy, but there really isn’t a shortage of inspiration here in southern Italy. Every day I get at least two or three new topic ideas. They come from random signs I saw in a store window, from my sometimes futile attempts at getting adjusted to Calabria or even from just talking to my neighbors.

I carry a small notebook and pen in my purse to jot ideas and I keep an editorial calendar just for My Bella Vita blog posts. When I need a new idea or when I’m not feeling motivated to write from my notes, I go to StumbleUpon, Twitter or read through my Google Alerts for inspiration.

Cherrye and Peppe the weekend she moved to Calabria
April 2006

You recently celebrated the three year anniversary of your move to Italy.  What was the biggest challenge for you when you first moved to Italy?

I had been here dozens of times and thought I understood Italy. I knew Italians liked to take afternoon strolls and eat big meals so I thought I “knew” the country. I wasn’t prepared for the culture shock.

I also think there is a big difference between an expat who relocates for another person (in this case, my husband) and someone who relocates because they are in love with the country. There are very different dynamics at play and in fact, I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a book about how to relocate to another country for someone you love.

What has been the greatest thing to come out of My Bella Vita?

Hands down-it is the people. I’m still amazed at the flood of support I had when my father died. I received hundreds of emails and even some cards in the mail from blog friends. We all connect in a unique way and when we finally meet in person, it is like we are extending a friendship-not starting one. In fact, I’m still waiting on your next trip to Calabria so we can meet face-to-face.

Il Cedro Bed and Breakfast

For those who may not already know, you are also a freelance writer and B&B owner.  How do you find the time?  What are some tips and tricks you can share with other bloggers and writers who may also find themselves in a juggling act?

I treat My Bella Vita like it is a job. Even though I enjoy it, it is on my to-do list every week, along with other articles and posts I write for clients. On a typical day, I help my husband with our bed and breakfast for a few hours in the morning, then he takes over and I start writing. I’m pretty selective with the assignments I accept from clients, and although I know I could make more money if I wasn’t, maintaining balance between work and my home life is a priority.

***

Thanks Cherrye for taking the time to answer these questions.  I am looking forward to meeting faccia a faccia in Calabria very soon!

Continue following Cherrye’s adventures in the bel paese @ My Bella Vita.

In Pictures: Roma (Agosto 1997)

Since picking up my Italian passport last week I’ve been reminiscing on the time I’ve spent in Italy.  When my father and I went to Italy in 1997, we managed to spend a day skimming through Roma.  I say “skimming” because it is virtually impossible to see all of Roma in a day.  Although our time there was really brief, it left a lasting impression and the coin I tossed into the Fontana di Trevi still beckons for me.

Here are some pictures, taken by my father, that will always hold wonderful memories of our time together in the “Eternal City”.

Castel Sant’Angelo

Temple of Antoninus and Faustina in the Roman Forum.

Fontana Di Trevi

Happy Blogiversary Calabrisella Mia!

photo credit: Glorious Treats

It all began with a simple “Hello There“.   What originally started out as a place for me to explore my writing, has quickly become so much more.

Calabrisella Mia is 1 years old today.  I have learned so much more than I ever expected through writing this blog and I’ve met some really amazing people in all parts of the world who inspire me on a daily basis.

Thanks to all of you who spend your time reading my words.  It means so very much to me!

What’s in store for this blog?  Only time will tell.   It will grow as I grow, develop as I develop.  There is a wonderful adventure ahead of me, I can just feel it.

So, Happy Blogiversary Calabrisella Mia!

Il Centro Commerciale Metropolis in Rende, Cosenza

When I was in Italy I didn’t do a tonne of shopping.  Most of the time it was so hot, that the thought of shopping outdoors was just not very appealing.  We did hit up the outdoor mercato in Rogliano and cruised the outdoor shops of Corso Mazzini a few times.

But, I quickly found out that it is possible to cure the shopping bug even on the hottest Calabrian summer day.  I’d like to introduce you to Il Centro Commerciale Metropolis.

Metropolis is in every sense of the word a “shopping city“.  It is one of the biggest, if not the largest, shopping centre in Calabria and is located in Rende, Cosenza (a stone’s throw away from the city of Cosenza).

Metropolis offers 2 levels of indoor shopping, underground parking, and a pretty good variety of shops including Carpisa, Sephora, Foot Locker, Media World, and Bata.  Oh, and let’s not forget the most important thing, it is air-conditioned!  It also, on occasion, hosts concerts and other outdoor events in its large piazza out front.

So, if you find yourself in Cosenza, or nearby and want to get some shopping in, check out Metropolis located on Viale Kennedy in Rende, Cosenza. It is open daily from 9:00am – 9:00pm except Monday’s when it’s open from 2:00pm – 9:00pm.

Check out Il Centro Commerciale Metropolis online @ www.centrocommercialemetropolis.it

Italian Fashion: Monella Vagabonda

Leave it to the Italians to somehow manage to make a cartoon frog fashionable. The Monella Vagabonda brand found its debut into the market in 2003 by Gino Gorgoglione. Gino, an entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the clothing industry, saw a gap in the fashion market and begun to develop the Monella Vagabonda line that would offer the best quality standard to its customers at a reasonable price.

The result has been quite the success for this fashion label with its headquarters in Barletta (BA) and official showroom in Milano. The Monella Vagabonda line has expanded to include everything from men and women’s fashion, shoes, school supplies, linens, and accessories.

The Monella Vagabonda is broken down into different branches (sub-labels), each focusing on a different aspect of the brand.

Monella Vagabonda VIP
Monella Vagabonda Snob
Monella Vagabonda and Friends
Monello Vagabondo

The fashion label has also ventured into acquiring co-branding rights to incorporate some worldly popular cartoon characters into their playful designs. Some of these characters include Smurfs (I Puffi), Casper, and Popeye.

With the aid of Italian celebrities such as Anna Tatangelo modelling and endorsing the line, the fashion label has seen continual growth since its beginnings. Currently, the line can be found in many stores and mercati throughout Italy.

Visit Monella Vagabonda at http://www.monellavagabonda.it/

Check out these other “Italian Fashion”:

Italian Fashion: Never Without You
Italian Fashion: Hollywood Milano
Italian Fashion: Boccadamo
Italian Fashion: Baci & Abbracci
Italian Fashion: Guru
Italian Fashion: Carpisa
Italian Fashion: Sweet Years