We live in Basilicata. Recently, we have noticed that we are sharing our roof space with some furry friends. They look like squirrels, but have longer tails and white cheeks. Our son, who is a zooligist, says that squirrels are not really nativ
We live in Basilicata. Recently, we have noticed that we are sharing our roof space with some furry friends. They look like squirrels, but have longer tails and white cheeks. Our son, who is a zooligist, says that squirrels are not really nativ
Once the structural work was done on our house, we had to order the doors and windows and wait for 60 days to have them delivered. As the walls were finished off they fitted a 'falso telaio' which is a softwood frame that the windows and doors will fit into. The walls were then plastered around these frames. While we waited for the actual windows and doors to arrive, we fitted our own temporary glass panels into these frames. Very cheap and very easy to fit with pieces of beading and insulation tape. When the actual windows arrived we took them out and fitted the real ones. Never noticed the draft!
My understanding is that there is no difference. We have repeatedly asked different people whether one means here in the general area and the other means right here by me (as in Spanish). However, the answer has always been that there is no difference. The latest person we asked, a lawyer, said that they are the same but 'Qui' is perhaps more correct. I have noticed that people use first one and then the other to emphasise something. For instance, when speaking to a child, they might say 'Vieni qui' a couple of times and then shout 'Vieni qua' for emphasis. I listened to a Laura Pausini CD the other day and heard nothing but 'Qui' throughout.
With respect, and as a matter of fact, Hitler was never elected to power through democratic means. He lost the first two rounds of the election in 1932 and his supporters responded with violence and murder which lead to martial law being declared in Berlin. He eventually exploited the situation to force Hindenberg to declare him Chancellor. The rest at least is well known...I did not say that holding opposing views to mine was undemocratic. Presenting the opposition's views as somehow more valid than those of government supporters is undemocratic. Everyone is entitled to their views and entitled to express them. Those who are entitled to vote also can make their choice in the election.I think that allowing people to vote in a national election of the basis of residency is flawed. Anyone who stays in a EU country for more than a few months has to apply for residency there. I do not think that being in any particular country for a matter of months qualifies someone to particpate in a national election. If somebody makes a commitment to live their life permanently in another country, and they wish to participate fully in the life of that country, they have the option of taking out citizenship there. That entitles them to vote in a national election.If you have decided you wish to remain a British citizen and retain your passport, despite leaving the country, why would you not want to continue to have a say in the future of Britain? In fact, as a citizen of the UK some would say that you have a responsibility to vote in the national election. (At least for 15 years after leaving) There are many people who visit Britain to work for a few years. Presumably they have to take up residency there. I do not think that they should have the right to vote in a national election when they could very well leave to return to their country of citizenship immediately afterwards. Rights should also come with responsibilities.
As a matter of fact, Hilter employed violent and intimidating tactics long before 1933, including an attempted coup d'etat, not usually considered to be operating within the democratic process. But anyway, maybe your history books differ from the ones I have read.I am also very surprised to hear that there have been no changes to the university system for 50 years. I seem to remember watching news reports last year of changes to the system. I must have been mistaken.I am also interested to hear that Berlusconi has been convicted of fraud and bribery more than once. I would like to hear more details of these cases as I was not aware that any prosecutions had been successfully upheld. Thank you for enlightening me.Despite Berlusconi's control of the media, there seems to me to be plenty of debate surrounding all aspects of political life here, in all of the major TV stations, on street corners and in the papers. Certainly people in this area are all very interested and well informed and would have little use of the rubbish printed about Italy in the UK press. Berlusconi lost the last election despite owning the same media companies. The Italians didn't like the government they got then and voted him back in because they prefered that option.Bearing in mind the fact that the government has approximately 50% support in the country. If you were to select any group of Italians, you might reasonably expect about half of them to support the government and the other half to be opposed. Simply representing the views of the opposing 50% on this thread is not very democratic and doesn't really acknowledge the reason he is in power in the first place.I have plenty of opinions on Italy, and have no problem with other people expressing theirs, or asking questions. My point is that I do not feel that the opinions of expats are as valid as those of native Italians when it comes to voting for a national government. Nothing that I have seen on this thread has led me to change that view.
I thought that Hitler came to power through murder, intimidation and deceit... and I thought that Berlusconi was democratically elected three times over by his fellow countrymen, the last time with a large and convincing majority, after people became increasingly disillusioned with their last Government.. Still, what do they know? Why not have a small group of expats decide what's best for Italy instead. Sounds like a much better idea."And the argument that Berlusconi should stay in power, because there is no credible alternative doesn't pull either." You are obviously suggesting that Italians should be voting for this non credible alternative because you don't like Berlusconi... What an extraordinary idea! People usually do go for the 'credible' option.Personally, I think it would be appalling if people who have lived for a relatively short period of time in another country, often with little idea of its history and background, and even less idea of the issues at stake, should be allowed the same voting rights as Italians who are electing their national government, fully aware of the long and complicated political history, all the implications and the personalities involved. After all, an Expat voter could help to elect a 'non credible alternative' and then decide to return to his or her original country, leaving the Italians wondering what to do next.
Italians are very fussy about trying new food and drink that has come from outside their immediate area so we have avoided bringing that kind of gift. You can buy books of photographs of the uk, also aerial ones, which seem to go down well. Also we have found the usual tourist stuff available at the airport... london buses, baseball caps, teeshirts etc are good for kids.
I would be very interested to know what advice the 'very critical' British Expats living here in Italy (or perhaps the holiday visitors) would like to give the elected Government regarding the way this country is run. As I remember it, the Prodi Government was elected a few years ago and became extremely unpopular over the following months, leading to its swift collapse - but perhaps my Italian wasn't good enough to understand what was really going on. Perhaps it was a conspiracy and the majority of Italians really wanted him to carry on but just didn't show it... Anyway, having subsequently won a sizeable majority, the current Government seems to have created a great deal of negative feeling on this thread regarding its inept handling of all sorts of issues. Obviously, those critics have their own ideas as to how this Government could handle things better. It would be interesting to hear some of those 'specific' ideas... Perhaps everybody on this forum believes the way the British press represent Berlusconi and Italy generally. Perhaps they prefer the way that the British Government manage things... perhaps they don't really like the social structure of this country at all, they just like the weather, the food and the scenery and would prefer to import all other aspects of Britain over here. In the Uk, the last Labour Goverment was elected with 35.3% of the vote. Berlusconi was elected with a 46.8% majority. That is very nearly one out of every two voters. Where are they all I wonder? Perhaps they are all hiding and can't wait to get rid of him. (Although apparantly his popularity rating is even higher now) However, it obviously means that 53.2% would have preferred someone else or didn't care. But I wonder if that percentage includes the people who live in L'Aquilla, the people who live in Lampedusa or the people who live in the outskirts of Napoli. But what do all the British Expats in the north of Italy think? That is obviously the most important thing!
It all depends on how long you are out of the UK per year and whether you are only looking for emergency treatment. You can get emergency treatment anywhere in the EU as an EU citizen. If you are looking for longer term care it might be a little different. According to the Department of Health website, they do care if you are resident elsewhere...Quote: "Are you visiting the United Kingdom? Have you been living outside the UK for more than 3 months? Did you know that you may have to pay for hospital treatment whilst here? Hospital treatment is free to people who ordinarily live in the United Kingdom (UK). If you do not normally live here then you may be required to pay for any treatment you might need. This is regardless of whether you are a British citizen or have lived or worked here in the past.""Residing between 3 and 6 months each year in an European Economic Area (EEA) member state or Switzerland?If you are a UK state pensioner living not less than six months in the UK and not more than six months in another EEA member state each year, you will be exempt from charges for NHS hospital treatment in England while living in the UK, as long as you are not registered as resident in the other EEA member state. This exemption extends to your spouse/civil partner and children (under the age of 16, or 19 if in further education) as long as they are living in the UK with you on a permanent basis for your period of residence in the UK." UnquoteYou can read the whole of it here:http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074384How individual areas would choose to implement the rules is another matter. The GP I had previously in the UK was only prepared to see me on a visitors basis when I went back after being out of the UK for 6 months, and I had to pay for prescriptions.Anyway, as the previous poster commented, healthcare is brilliant in Italy so why go back!
Comments posted
Once the structural work was done on our house, we had to order the doors and windows and wait for 60 days to have them delivered. As the walls were finished off they fitted a 'falso telaio' which is a softwood frame that the windows and doors will fit into. The walls were then plastered around these frames. While we waited for the actual windows and doors to arrive, we fitted our own temporary glass panels into these frames. Very cheap and very easy to fit with pieces of beading and insulation tape. When the actual windows arrived we took them out and fitted the real ones. Never noticed the draft!
My understanding is that there is no difference. We have repeatedly asked different people whether one means here in the general area and the other means right here by me (as in Spanish). However, the answer has always been that there is no difference. The latest person we asked, a lawyer, said that they are the same but 'Qui' is perhaps more correct. I have noticed that people use first one and then the other to emphasise something. For instance, when speaking to a child, they might say 'Vieni qui' a couple of times and then shout 'Vieni qua' for emphasis. I listened to a Laura Pausini CD the other day and heard nothing but 'Qui' throughout.
With respect, and as a matter of fact, Hitler was never elected to power through democratic means. He lost the first two rounds of the election in 1932 and his supporters responded with violence and murder which lead to martial law being declared in Berlin. He eventually exploited the situation to force Hindenberg to declare him Chancellor. The rest at least is well known...I did not say that holding opposing views to mine was undemocratic. Presenting the opposition's views as somehow more valid than those of government supporters is undemocratic. Everyone is entitled to their views and entitled to express them. Those who are entitled to vote also can make their choice in the election.I think that allowing people to vote in a national election of the basis of residency is flawed. Anyone who stays in a EU country for more than a few months has to apply for residency there. I do not think that being in any particular country for a matter of months qualifies someone to particpate in a national election. If somebody makes a commitment to live their life permanently in another country, and they wish to participate fully in the life of that country, they have the option of taking out citizenship there. That entitles them to vote in a national election.If you have decided you wish to remain a British citizen and retain your passport, despite leaving the country, why would you not want to continue to have a say in the future of Britain? In fact, as a citizen of the UK some would say that you have a responsibility to vote in the national election. (At least for 15 years after leaving) There are many people who visit Britain to work for a few years. Presumably they have to take up residency there. I do not think that they should have the right to vote in a national election when they could very well leave to return to their country of citizenship immediately afterwards. Rights should also come with responsibilities.
As a matter of fact, Hilter employed violent and intimidating tactics long before 1933, including an attempted coup d'etat, not usually considered to be operating within the democratic process. But anyway, maybe your history books differ from the ones I have read.I am also very surprised to hear that there have been no changes to the university system for 50 years. I seem to remember watching news reports last year of changes to the system. I must have been mistaken.I am also interested to hear that Berlusconi has been convicted of fraud and bribery more than once. I would like to hear more details of these cases as I was not aware that any prosecutions had been successfully upheld. Thank you for enlightening me.Despite Berlusconi's control of the media, there seems to me to be plenty of debate surrounding all aspects of political life here, in all of the major TV stations, on street corners and in the papers. Certainly people in this area are all very interested and well informed and would have little use of the rubbish printed about Italy in the UK press. Berlusconi lost the last election despite owning the same media companies. The Italians didn't like the government they got then and voted him back in because they prefered that option.Bearing in mind the fact that the government has approximately 50% support in the country. If you were to select any group of Italians, you might reasonably expect about half of them to support the government and the other half to be opposed. Simply representing the views of the opposing 50% on this thread is not very democratic and doesn't really acknowledge the reason he is in power in the first place.I have plenty of opinions on Italy, and have no problem with other people expressing theirs, or asking questions. My point is that I do not feel that the opinions of expats are as valid as those of native Italians when it comes to voting for a national government. Nothing that I have seen on this thread has led me to change that view.
I thought that Hitler came to power through murder, intimidation and deceit... and I thought that Berlusconi was democratically elected three times over by his fellow countrymen, the last time with a large and convincing majority, after people became increasingly disillusioned with their last Government.. Still, what do they know? Why not have a small group of expats decide what's best for Italy instead. Sounds like a much better idea."And the argument that Berlusconi should stay in power, because there is no credible alternative doesn't pull either." You are obviously suggesting that Italians should be voting for this non credible alternative because you don't like Berlusconi... What an extraordinary idea! People usually do go for the 'credible' option.Personally, I think it would be appalling if people who have lived for a relatively short period of time in another country, often with little idea of its history and background, and even less idea of the issues at stake, should be allowed the same voting rights as Italians who are electing their national government, fully aware of the long and complicated political history, all the implications and the personalities involved. After all, an Expat voter could help to elect a 'non credible alternative' and then decide to return to his or her original country, leaving the Italians wondering what to do next.
Who shall we suggest the Italians have as Prime Minister then? Seems to be a lot of expert opinion around...
Italians are very fussy about trying new food and drink that has come from outside their immediate area so we have avoided bringing that kind of gift. You can buy books of photographs of the uk, also aerial ones, which seem to go down well. Also we have found the usual tourist stuff available at the airport... london buses, baseball caps, teeshirts etc are good for kids.
We found these people to be very helpful:Lobina Transport Services LTDTele : + 44 115 8 508 640 www.lobina.co.uk
I would be very interested to know what advice the 'very critical' British Expats living here in Italy (or perhaps the holiday visitors) would like to give the elected Government regarding the way this country is run. As I remember it, the Prodi Government was elected a few years ago and became extremely unpopular over the following months, leading to its swift collapse - but perhaps my Italian wasn't good enough to understand what was really going on. Perhaps it was a conspiracy and the majority of Italians really wanted him to carry on but just didn't show it... Anyway, having subsequently won a sizeable majority, the current Government seems to have created a great deal of negative feeling on this thread regarding its inept handling of all sorts of issues. Obviously, those critics have their own ideas as to how this Government could handle things better. It would be interesting to hear some of those 'specific' ideas... Perhaps everybody on this forum believes the way the British press represent Berlusconi and Italy generally. Perhaps they prefer the way that the British Government manage things... perhaps they don't really like the social structure of this country at all, they just like the weather, the food and the scenery and would prefer to import all other aspects of Britain over here. In the Uk, the last Labour Goverment was elected with 35.3% of the vote. Berlusconi was elected with a 46.8% majority. That is very nearly one out of every two voters. Where are they all I wonder? Perhaps they are all hiding and can't wait to get rid of him. (Although apparantly his popularity rating is even higher now) However, it obviously means that 53.2% would have preferred someone else or didn't care. But I wonder if that percentage includes the people who live in L'Aquilla, the people who live in Lampedusa or the people who live in the outskirts of Napoli. But what do all the British Expats in the north of Italy think? That is obviously the most important thing!
It all depends on how long you are out of the UK per year and whether you are only looking for emergency treatment. You can get emergency treatment anywhere in the EU as an EU citizen. If you are looking for longer term care it might be a little different. According to the Department of Health website, they do care if you are resident elsewhere...Quote: "Are you visiting the United Kingdom? Have you been living outside the UK for more than 3 months? Did you know that you may have to pay for hospital treatment whilst here? Hospital treatment is free to people who ordinarily live in the United Kingdom (UK). If you do not normally live here then you may be required to pay for any treatment you might need. This is regardless of whether you are a British citizen or have lived or worked here in the past.""Residing between 3 and 6 months each year in an European Economic Area (EEA) member state or Switzerland?If you are a UK state pensioner living not less than six months in the UK and not more than six months in another EEA member state each year, you will be exempt from charges for NHS hospital treatment in England while living in the UK, as long as you are not registered as resident in the other EEA member state. This exemption extends to your spouse/civil partner and children (under the age of 16, or 19 if in further education) as long as they are living in the UK with you on a permanent basis for your period of residence in the UK." UnquoteYou can read the whole of it here:http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074384How individual areas would choose to implement the rules is another matter. The GP I had previously in the UK was only prepared to see me on a visitors basis when I went back after being out of the UK for 6 months, and I had to pay for prescriptions.Anyway, as the previous poster commented, healthcare is brilliant in Italy so why go back!