Oh, really?

If so, then tell me … how many continents are there?

If you said seven, you are wrong!

By Italian fifth grade standards, that is.

photo credit: JMazzolaa

This debate recently arose when I asked my husband why he-and his fellow paesani-insist on referring to people from Argentina, Canada, Brazil, etc., etc. as “Americans.”

“Argentinians and Americans come from two different countries, you know,” I told him. “Why does everyone mix this up?”

“Well you are all from the Americas … the same continent,” he said. “Close enough.”

“It is not the same continent,” I began …

“Cherrrrrye,” my father-in-law cut in, “There are five continents …”

Whoa!

It was my turn to interrupt.

Our debate ensued with his father bulking “the Americas” together and insisting Antarctica was just ice, and as such, does not constitute a continent.

Peppe agreed.

Oh Dio Mio!

“How can I live in this country?” I thought. “They don’t even know how many continents there are!”

So we took our argument to the Internet.

And it seems … we were both right.

Americans-whoever that may be-are taught there are seven continents.

North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Antarctica and Australia

Italians are taught there are five.

America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa

And I didn’t even know this was up for debate. In fact, if you Google “how many continents are there” you’ll see quite the discussion.

So there you have it … if you ever find yourself with an invitation to the game show, you’ll be prepared and you’ll know how to answer the question … Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader!

 
By the time America was waking up on Monday morning, I’d received countless emails and Facebook messages from concerned friends in the Americas …
 
“How far away are you?”
 
“Did you feel anything?”
 
“Are you and your friends ok?”
 
It never ceases to amaze me how old friends crawl from their hiding places when there is a tragedy, concern takes over and they are ready, in an instant, to lend a hand.
 
Two days ago, central Italy was hit with a 6.3 quake, leaving at least 150 dead, 1500 injured and up to 50,000 homeless. Parents lost children. Children lost parents. Friends lost friends.
 
On the news last night, a mother recalled meeting “an angel,” who rushed to save her small daughter, just as he was saving his own children. Men cried as they recounted the damage and others looked into the camera with faces of shock, despair and desperation. It is the worst earthquake Italy has experienced in 30 years and while many people say you can’t predict an earthquake, at least one scientist disagrees.
 
Here is a short English-language video of L’Aquila, Judith from Think on It! wrote a touching post recounting images from an Italian news special and Michelle at Bleeding Espresso posted ways we can help the victims and survivors.
 

 
So, to all of our friends and countrymen in and around L’Aquila, Abruzzo … Calabria is thinking of you and hoping for a peaceful-and speedy-recovery.
 

photo credit: miltedflower

 
In today’s economic crisis, or crisi, the financial, auto, retail – even the porn industries – in the US have all sought government help.
 
Unfortunately, the epidemic has spread.
 
In an article released late last week on VOANews.com, Sabina Castelfranco reported on the cheesiest industry yet to request a bailout.
 
No, seriously.
 
It’s the cheese.
 
In recent months sales of parmiggiano reggiano cheese have been down, causing producers to worry about the future of one of Italy’s most famous cheeses.
 
To combat the problem, the Italian government has pledged €50 million to purchase 100,000 wheels of parmiggiano reggiano and another 100,000 wheels of its less-expensive counterpart, grana pandano and plans to donate the cheese wheels to charity.
 
To pay for the cheese wheels, the Italian government is dipping into a special EU fund created to help feed poor people.
 
But the mozzarella makers are pissed!
 
Wanna know more?

 
Read about the cheese-making process and impending bailout, or get one reporter’s take on the issue here.
 
What do you think? Do you think the government’s proposal to buy 200,000 wheels of cheese is a wise option or do you think they should share the love with other producers in the food industry?