MOVIE: Golden Door

There's a touch of fantasy in Golden Door, but the overall story of a Sicilian peasant family immigrating to America captivates. The ship's journey and its arrival in America makes me want to visit the Ellis Island Museum. I'm placing Sicily on my "to do" list too, what rough and rugged countryside---these Italians had to be tough to live on such land. I even watched the "making of the movie" showing director Emanuele Crialese's vision for the movie and how it was filmed in Argentina (largely comprised of Sicilian immigrant "extras"). Martin Scorsese also does an introduction about his Sicilian roots. And, did I mention it's a love story? Italian language with sub-titles.

BOOK: A Sea of Troubles

I recently picked up Donna Leon's latest mystery (since About Face) in the Albuquerque airport, thinking, "How had I missed reading this one?" It appears that A Sea of Troubles was first released in the UK in 2001, but now is out in paperback from Penguin Group (USA). The setting is on the island of Pellestrina, south of the Lido, making me wish I'd made a day trip to Chioggia on my last trip to Venice. Commissario Brunetti is charming and clever as always. Oh how I'd love to sit down to a fine meal with him!

Italian Accordion

Hoping to surprise my husband with a good "used" accordion for his birthday, I naturally searched for instruments made in Italy. I finally found this black and white Titano (Titan) model and it was a big hit today. So, now I'm thinking a 2010 trip to Castelfidardo (in the Marche region) is in our future---the birthplace of the accordion! It's also time to re-read Annie Proulx's Accordion Crimes.

The first time I convinced David to go with me to Italy was also by bribe (he hates to travel). I had coaxed him by asking, "Wouldn't you like go to Italy to see where your Tommasini bicycle was made?" And, yes, it worked. We visited the TOMMASINI factory in Grossetto that trip.