Italians speak their mind, no matter whether you like it or not. 
For this reason, it is not rare to see us argue openly on the street, only to be seen laughing a few minutes later. This kind of disorderly conduct, which would cause a “don’t make a scene, please” moment in the UK, is common in Italy, and we are often appreciated, like the French, for our honesty.


thelocal.it 

For any remotely British person, Italy is a nightmare. 
We don’t queue, we just stand close to one another until we see an opportunity to overtake you. 
But for Italians, it’s perfectly normal! Arm yourself with a lot of patience, or download a game on your phone – and don’t get offended by nudges, they most probably didn’t mean it.


thelocal.it 

Almost every Italian house has at least one thermometer. 
This is the tool used to ascertain if one has fallen victim to the above-mentioned ailments. 
For this reason, owning a thermometer, and being able to know exactly how many degrees our forehead is when anything goes wrong, feels very reassuring.

There are also plenty of umbrellas in an Italian home. 
That said, when it rains, most Italians cancel their plans and choose the best protection of all: 
staying in, much to the irritation of the non-Italian friends they've just ditched.

thelocal.it    

Wearing coats and scarves in the summer is the norm
Health is of great concern in the country, and one would go out of their way to avoid getting “hit by air” or "cervical pain". 
For this, us Italians keep scarves and warm coats on pretty much all year long, and only foreigners are seen wearing shorts and dresses in June.

thelocal.it

Call for Participants – Be part of the Apolline Project.

The Apolline Project is a multi-disciplinary research project which seeks to bring to light the hitherto neglected past of the area to the north of the spectacular Mt. Vesuvius.  The project has several components, but major excavation work has up until this point focused upon the well preserved post-79 AD Roman baths at Pollena Trocchia.  The results gained so far have been presented worldwide and published in an edited book and in several articles, which you can download.  In 2011 this project was awarded the European Archaeological Heritage Prize, especially in consideration of their commitment to the local community.  The Apolline Project is also a registered non-profit organisation, thus they are legally committed to not make any profit from your donations and to spend the entire amount on activities which have a social impact, specifically to foster the research and to raise awareness of the past among the local population.  Furthermore, they maintain a high level of scholarship and participation on their excavation, but pledge also to keep the participation affordable.

The Apolline Project is now open to applications for the 2015 lab and field activities, which can be divided into: dig at the Roman villa with baths, boot camp of human forensic at the Medieval church in Pernosano, and study the pottery assemblage from the Suburban Baths in Pompeii.

The application process is easy and straightforward.  Please follow this link and complete the electronic application.  Applicants are required to provide name and contact information of a relevant person – such as a professor or previous excavation supervisor – who can verify the details you provide in your application.  Any application submitted will be strongly considered and processed within two weeks (unless you need to know it earlier for a grant proposal with your University, in that case please specify it in the application).  However, there is a limited number of spaces so the earlier you apply the greater your chances of being accepted.  They offer a select number of scholarships to participants to the dig, each worth €500.  To apply, please fill in the form and have two letters of recommendation sent by your referees to [email protected] by Monday 6th April 2015.

For international participants to the fieldwork and lab work in Pollena Trocchia, accommodation will be provided at Cappabianca – a late 19th-century palazzo only a short walk from the Roman villa with baths.

For full details of all the projects, transport, accommodation etc., click here.

All applications must be made by MONDAY 6th APRIL 2015.


napoliunplugged