Looking back

The few that I have talked with lately keep asking what my favorite city in Italy was. Each city has an entirely different feel, whether it is a small or large town and is located in the north or the south. Firenze and Roma versus Lago di Como and Positano.

Perhaps that is why K and I attempted to read the Italian newspapers (in Italian) and to understand the voting points of the latest referendum (June 25-26) and who is on what side. The regional loyalties and the backstabbing politics (as seen in football too) we began to see during our travels. We did not understand every point, but got the gist of the referendum; namely, that new powers would be given to each house in the Parliament, regional governments would be given greater decision-making power, and the prime minister would be given more political power.

Italian politics are confusing and exciting. As The Economist writes,

But Italians are not Spaniards. They traditionally reserve their loyalties not for their region, but for their home town or city. It was not, therefore, surprising that they voted to throw the measure out. What was surprising was the size of the majority (61%-39%), and the relatively high turnout of 52%—the highest in any Italian referendum for over a decade. This was not just a bill that most voters disliked; it was one they seemed determined to kill.

Calabria had a resounding "no" vote, against Berlosconi and against big business (Calabria is in the poor South, the "real Italy" as we were told).

So much more to read about. But for now, Italy is immersed in World Cup fever. On July 9, its streets will be deserted as everyone rushes for the nearest coffee bar and the country pursues its other passion: football.