Italian Risorgimento/Unification Day - 150 Years

Statue of Garibaldi in Padua

Today is “Italian Risorgimento/Unification Day” celebrating 150 years as a modern nation. I wish we were there to celebrate. Marge and I plan to spend a couple of days in Padua and hopefully we'll get to visit this statue of Garibaldi.

I’ve been reading web site commentary on the current issue of “north/south division”. The idea of a “prosperous industrial north looking down on an economically challenged south” is reminiscent of the United States in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Marge and I have no first hand experience with southern Italy, having never traveled south of Florence and Siena. It will be interesting to hear discussions on this topic over wine at the piazza as Bologna is known for it’s socialist/communist politics. I’m sure I’ll feel welcome there.

To celebrate the day I’m going to practice my Italian cooking. Buon appetito.
Gary
PS

I’d like to quote a close friend who is Italian, “No matter what they say, Italians are pretty much all alike, and wherever from - north, south or islands - you can tell them from miles. Our traditions/culture make our pride, and I dare you find a Milanese not boasting pizza (from Naples), a Tarantino hating panettone (from Milan) or a Venetian loathing Mirto (from Sardenia - which, btw, is a nice liqueur you should try).”