NELE from BELGIUM said:

1) Have you ever been to Italy? If yes, where exactly, when and for how many times?

Yes, I’ve been there 7 times by now, last time just 2 weeks ago. I’ve been in MILANO, once in LECCHI IN CHIANTI, once in PIOPPI, twice in a intytiny little village near the Swiss border whose name I always forget and just now I went to PORDENONE. First time I was there was about 10 years ago, that was in LECCHI IN CHIANTI.

2) Do you personally know any Italians living in your country? What are they doing for job?

None. I don’t know any Italians living here. I do have quite a lot of friends in Italy however :)) That’s why I love to go there so often, to visit them :)

3) What do you like of Italian Cuisine? What do you have already tasted?

I LOVE it !!!!!!! Really : ) ) I tried so much already, I can’t start listing here, but you can always count me in for some Italian dinner. I love all kinds of PASTA, PIZZE, ICE CREAMS, PIES AND GNOCCHI.

4) What do you think about Italy in general?

It’s my favourite country and I’d really love to live there. It’s got this typical atmosphere that makes me feel at home. Cannot really explain it. But I love the country, the people, the language, the food, the culture…. Everything : )

5) What do you think about Italians in general?

I don’t know. I do can say that my Italian friends just are GREAT PEOPLE. And as far as I’ve been there I only met FRIENDLY PEOPLE there. Well, I do must admit that I am a bit disappointed that ALMOST NONE THERE SPEAKS ENGLISH, not even the younger people.

6) Do you know some Italian words? Which ones?

Hahaha: pizza, spaghetti, calzone, pomodori, prosciuto, agua, birra, vino, vino frizzante, lampone, gelato, cioccolate, latte, limone, melone, pesca…. I won’t starve:ppp And then via, lira, tutti, carabinieri, porcodio :p, machina, cane, gato, centro, musica, conto, pronto, scuzi, ciao, arrivederci… I can manage in Italy, I just mix some Italian words with Spanish, French and Latin ones and most of the times it works :)

Hi Manuela :))

You're welcome, it was all my pleasure to fill in the few questions you asked me :)
Well, what can I tell you about my travels in Italy....
First time I was about 13 or 14 years old, it's been so long that I don't exactly remember. Maybe I was just 12 years old. It was with my parents and siblings and we went to that very little town called Lecchi in Chianti. We stayed in a castle on the top of the hill and it was soo beautiful. Unfortunately, we could only stay one week. But we did manage to visit Sienna, Firenze, Venezia and many other places. I guess we also went to San Giminiano, but I'm not sure. Well, the most beautiful place for me was Sienna, I'm really in love with that town :)
The second time was only a year or 2 later, again with the family and then we went to Pioppi which is quite in the south, it's more southwards than Napoli. This time we stayed for 2 weeks and well, it was really worth it. However, I really don't remember a lot of names of places we went to visit as there was a lot more unknown places to see, you know. We did go to Napoli and we went to see the Vesuvius as well, you know, they are very well known. But sometimes I prefer those little places where it's not crowded by tourists !! Well, as I said, I don't remember any names :((
Then 3th and 4th time I was on hollidays in Switzerland at the ages of 16 and 17 but every year we went to Italy as the border was so near and we stayed there in the mountains. I completely have no idea what that village was called like as we stayed there very shortly and didn't really went to the village a lot but rather stayed in the mountains.
Then 5th and 6th time I went to Milano. This was the first time I really got to know the italian people and the 'real' italian kitchen as I went to visit my italian pal Alessandro and his family. I knew a lot about the italian kitchen, after all, pizza and spaghetti are known all over the world, but it's not the same as when you eat it in Italy itself, in a real italian family. I think even the restaurants sometimes are too much western for the tourists :((( 
Well, I saw all of Milano of course those 2 times and not only the touristic places but also a lot of places where only the Milanese people only go to, you know :)) And that was soo cool :)))
And well, just 2 weeks ago I went to visit my pal Marcello who lives in Pordenone. This time we also visited Lignano and Venezia (again, as we wanted to see the Biennale overthere) and we also spent a day in Austria to meet another friend there :) It was just wonderful. 
I don't know what it is, but as soon as we've crossed the border for about 10 minutes, I feel completely different when I'm in Italy :) I guess it's something in the air !!! I adore the language and I only know some words, you know, to survive and to ask the road when I'm there, but I do hope to be able to learn italian one day !!
And the weather is sooo much better than it is here in Belgium. 
And it seems people aren't as stressed there as they are here, and that just feels so good :))
Well, if you wanna know more, just ask me !!
 

Love,
Nele

1) Have you ever been to Italy? If yes, where exactly, when and for how many times?

Yes, when I was 5 y.o., 4,2 years ago and then last year (February 2000). Bologna, Firenze, Milano, e non mi ricordo più che città. (I don’t know other cities any more)

2) Do you personally know any Italians living in your country? What are they doing for job?

Yes. My father and mother and sister. I have the Italian cityzenship. My Dad was a mechanic, my sister is a secretary administrator. I am a housewife, but I have worked as secretary for many years.

3) What do you like of Italian Cuisine? What do you have already tasted?

All!!! As I said, my mamma is from Bologna, the best Italian cuisine for my taste, ever!

4) What do you think about Italy in general?

I love it!

5) What do you think about Italians in general?

I must love them as I have the Italian cityzenship…. Heheheh….

6) Do you know some Italian words? Which ones?
 
Si, quasi tutte. Alle volte mi sbaglio e non scrivo molto bene, appena per farmi capire! (I know almost every word. Sometime I mistake and I cannot write very well, just to let people understand me)

1) Have you ever been to Italy? If yes, where exactly, when and for how many times?

I went around: Rome, Capri, Naples

2) Do you personally know any Italians living in your country? What are they doing for job?

None. You’re the first.

4) What do you think about Italy in general?

I love Italy!

6) Do you know some Italian words? Which ones?

No - Gracia

1) Have you ever been to Italy? If yes, where exactly, when and for how many times?

I’ve never been to Italy, but I really hope I’ll have the opportunity to be there someday (actually, living in Italy is one of my dreams!)

2) Do you personally know any Italians living in your country? What are they doing for job?

My grandmother came from Italy with her family in the beginning of last century. I don’t know what they did for living, but she used to work in a large store in the center of Sao Paulo.

3) What do you like of Italian Cuisine? What do you have already tasted?

I love pasta and pizza, and I have proved some italian sweets and cakes I can’t actually remember the names now.

4) What do you think about Italy in general?

It’s a beautiful country, nice weather and landscapes, lots of historical places, ecc.

5) What do you think about Italians in general?

I guess they’re very friendly and talkative (also Italian guys are handsome!)

6) Do you know some Italian words? Which ones?

Actually I only know some bad words my granma says sometimes!

NAME: Leticia Koch Lerner
COUNTRY: Brasil
EMAIL: le_johns@zipmail.com.br

1) Have you ever been to Italy? If yes, where exactly, when and for how many times?

I’ve never been to Italy, but I’d love to someday. I want so much to come to Venice and Rome

2) Do you personally know any Italians living in your country? What are they doing for job?

Yes. I know an Italian man. His name is L. M. married with an Indonesian woman, and he works in a handycraf factory in my country.

3) What do you like of Italian Cuisine? What do you have already tasted?

I like Italian food so much… I like especially Pizza, Lasagna, Risotto and Spaghetti.

4) What do you think about Italy in general?

I think Italy is a nice country and rich in cultures and traditions, the natures are wonderful… :)

5) What do you think about Italians in general?

I think Italian are really warm people, sweet and especially the boys are cute and handsome… : )

6) Do you know some Italian words? Which ones?

Yes, I know ti amo, dolci baci, tu sei il mio tesoro, ciao …. 

NAME: Veronica Indrati
COUNTRY: Indonesia
EMAIL: veranind@gurlmail.com

1)Have you ever been to Italy? If yes, where exactly, when and for how many times?
   No

2) Do you personally know any Italians living in your country? What are they doing for job?
 No

3) What do you like of Italian Cuisine? What do you have already tasted?
Very good, really like pizza!

4) What do you think about Italy in general?
it seems to be a nice and beautiful country.

5) What do you think about Italians in general?
Nice!

6) Do you know some Italian words? Which ones?
Yes one; ciao

name: Maria Gustafsohn
country: Sweden
email: mariagustafsohn@hotmail.com

1)Have you ever been to Italy? If yes, where exactly, when and for how many times?

I’ve been to Italy only one unfortunately, I stayed in Bellaria (RN) for a week in August 2000. I’d love to return there, to Firenze for example or to a less touristic place…

2) Do you personally know any Italians living in your country? What are they doing for job?

There is an Italian man who lives in my village, but I don’t know him very well. His job is something with wood, I don’t know what it really consists in.

3) What do you like of Italian Cuisine? What do you have already tasted?

For the moment I like all what I’ve tested of Italian food: pasta, tortellini ai formaggi, pomodori e mozzarella, pizza... In fact I like all pasta I ate with cheese, I am a vegetarian. I’ve also tried Tiramisu, I like it when there isn’t too much coffee. What I really really like is… Italian ice-cream!!!

4) What do you think about Italy in general?

I really LOVE that country and its language !

5) What do you think about Italians in general?

I think Italians are (mostly!) very, very, very nice and have a great sense of humor. Moreover, many Italian boys are very cute !!! Well, Italian people are absolutely fantastic !!! ;-)

6) Do you know some Italian words? Which ones?

Sto imparando l’italiano allora… Devo veramente scrivere tutte le parole che conosco già? Oh noooooo... French people, before having studied Italian, mostly know : viva Italia (a causi della pubblicità), mafia, amor, ti amo, pasta, pizza, mozzarella, vita, mamma mia, finito, ciao... I think I forgot some ! French people also know the word “salute” but they think that it means “hello” because the French word for “ciao, hello” is “salut” ! We also too often think that all Italian words are very similar to French words, so many people just add “o” or “a” … (cosi’,  “un problème” diventa spesso “uno problemo”, ecc.)

NAME: DOROTHEE
COUNTRY: FRANCE
E-MAIL: dorocool@hotmail.com

1. Have you ever been to Italy? If yes, where exactly, when and for how many times? If not, would you like to come and where would you like to go exactly?

Yes, to Venezia twice (1997, 2000), to Villamarina at the Adriatic coast twice (1998, 2000), to the lake of Garda once (1997) and to South Tirol once (1997)

2. Do you personally know any Italians living in your country? What are they doing for job?

Yes, secretary, housewife, student

3) What do you like of Italian cuisine? What do you have already tasted?

I have tasted Pizza, Pasta, Risotto and I like all these things.

4) What do you think about Italy in general?

A beautiful sunny country with many different landscapes and cultural cities.

5. What do you think about Italians in genaral?

They are nice and usually in a good mood.

6) you know some Italian words? Which ones?

I've learned Italian at school during one year, so I know too many words to write them all down here.

NAME: Simone Kottmann
COUNTRY: Switzerland
EMAIL (optional) simone.kottmann@bluewin.ch

1. Have you ever been to Italy? If yes, where exactly, when and for how   many times? If not, would you like to come and where would you like to  go exactly?

Yes,I have been to Italy once.I was in Venice/Venezia.
 

 2. Do you personally know any Italians living in your country? What are 
 they doing for job?

Yes, a couple of students. 
 

 3. What do you like of Italian cuisine? What do you have already tasted?

I think some italian foods are great, to name a few of my favorites: lasagna, 
pizza and spaghetti bolognese :P

 4. What do you think about Italy in general?

A warm country =)

 5. What do you think about Italians in genaral?

Happy, extrovert people. Likes fashion, food and good music!

 6. Do you know some Italian words? Which ones?

No, at least can't come up with any except "Ciao" =)

NAME: Sari
COUNTRY:Finland
EMAIL (optional)savaaran@mail.student.oulu.fi

1) Have you ever been to Italy? If yes, where exactly, when and for how many times? If not, would you like to come and where would you like to go exactly?

I’ve been to Italy one time in 1998, during Springtime, for a week. I went to Florence, Rome and Capri island

2) Do you personally know any Italians living in your country? What are they doing for job? 
I know two Italians but they are students.

3) What do you like of Italian cuisine? What do you have already tasted?I love Italian cuisine, most tagliatelle à la carbonara (without mushrooms but with eggs) 

4) What do you think about Italy in general? It’s a great place to visit, mostly Capri. 

5) What do you think about Italians in genaral? Italian boys are big lovers! And it’s interesting to talk to Italian girls.

6) Do you know some Italian words? Which ones?juste un "tiamo" 

NAME:sandra génique
COUNTRY:france
EMAIL (optional)sandra.gen@infonie.fr

1) Have you ever been to Italy? If yes, where exactly, when and for how many times? If not, would you like to come and where would you like to go exactly?

Unfortuantlely no, but my husband has been there various times on business. He visited: Rome, Fireze, Vicenza, Savona, Venice amongst others. Our family dream is to visit Italy by car (overland) and try to visit as many places as possible (especially those quaint villages shown on most tv programs - LineaVerde etc..)

2) Do you personally know any Italians living in your country? What are they doing for job? 

Yes, my friend's husband is Italian and he works as a telephone technician. He says he's a "Perito Tecnico'. My father works in an Italian company so most of the high level staff are Italian.

3) What do you like of Italian cuisine? What do you have already tasted?

Our cuisine is very similar to yours, but we too have our own dishes. I have tasted most, but pasta is what I like best. Pizza follows soon after as do many of the sweet dishes.

4) What do you think about Italy in general?

I think Italy is a very beautiful country having lots of beauty and culture to offer. Pity the news are always filled with so much 'cronaca nera'.

5) Do you know some Italian words? Which ones?

I think Italian are OK, pity that there are some who are a bit racist, especially towards people in the South. But in general I think Italians are normal people - with good and bad, just like any one else.

6) Do you know some Italian words? Which ones?

Most Maltese people speak Italian fluently and I can say nearly all understand Italian. I never learned Italian in school , but I speak it averagly well.

Good luck!
Anneliese
from Malta
anneliese@vol.net,mt

1) . Have you ever been to Italy? No, but I hope to some day. 
If yes, where exactly, when and for how many times? If not, would you like to come and where would you like to go exactly? All the famous places of course, any castles and definitely to Carnival in Venice!!

2. Do you personally know any Italians living in your country? Of course! 
What are they doing for job? We have plenty of jobs here in the USA and too many Italians to list one by one.

3. What do you like of Italian cuisine? Mostly all of the different pasta's (but no mushrooms in it), calzoni (is that from Italy? or did we make it up?), Lazagna, and Pizza, which I am told is not nearly the same in Italy as in the USA. 
What do you have already tasted? All of the above!

4. What do you think about Italy in general? I love it, I wish I could be there now!

5. What do you think about Italians in genaral? I love Italians too, I love dark hair and light colored eyes, which most of the people have there. And they always have the best personalities! And I love the accent and sound of the language too.

6. Do you know some Italian words? Not too many. I tried to learn it once, but it's hard when no one else around you speaks it, and we don't have classes for it here. Which ones? I'm not sure off hand.

NAME: Stacy Michelle Jones
COUNTRY: California, USA
EMAIL (optional) SMJones11@MSN.com

1. Never been to Italy
2. No I don't know any
3. I love Pizza and pie
4. Italy is advanced and beautiful country to visit
5. Italians are friendly people and I know girls and woemn are very pretty
and sexy
6. No, I wish to learn it

Riad Abu Jubara
Jordanian in Saudi Arabia
r_jubara@yahoo.com

1. Yes I have been in Italy once,. In Perugia, Roma. Yes I want to go one more time at least to Venice, Milano and Italy general.

2. No I dop not know any Italians living in my country.

3. I love Italian cousine very much and I have tasted lot of things and I do cook it at home too.

4. Italy is a very beautiful country and I love it! 

5. The Italians are very nice and friendly people and they helped me a lot when I stayed in Italy. God Bless them!

6. Only few, Buena sera, Ciao, buon appetito, amica, figlia, and a lot more. I do understand a little bit italian and I can speak a little too.

Diana Siilak, Estonia, metsakiisu@hotmail.com

My name is Sugunan,I am from U.K,I am 27 years old,and I am an Enginner,I never visited Italy but I like to visit it ,One of my friend is in Italy but I dont no the name of the place.I like your dishes very much exspecially Pitzza I like it very much.I like to see the ancient citys in Italy.Italians are very nice people because my friend is a very nice guy.I dont know any word in Italy.

> 1. Have you ever been to Italy? If yes, where exactly, when and for how  many times? If not, would you like to come and where would you like to  go exactly?
I`VE ONLY BEEN TO VENICE ONCE; TWO YEARS AGO WITH MY CLASS ON A HIGHSCHOOL TRIP: I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK THERE COS I REALLY LIKED IT; AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE IN ITALY COS I LIKE TRAVELLING

2. Do you personally know any Italians living in ,your country? What are they doing for job?
NO; I DON`T

3. What do you like of Italian cuisine? What do you  have already tasted?
I LIKE AND HAVE ALREADY TASTED MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF PASTA

4. What do you think about Italy in general?
I LIKE IT AND I WOULD LIKE TO GO THERE AND I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN ITALIAN

 5. What do you think about Italians in genaral?
SINCE I KNOW YOU AND YOU ARE VERY NICE; I HOPE THAT ALL OTHER ITALIANS ARE LIKE YOU :)

7. Do you know some Italian words? Which ones?
I DON`T KNOW; OR AT LEAST CAN`T REMEMBER ANY OF THEM AT THE MOMENT; BUT IF I NEEDED THEM; I HAVE THEM WRITTEN AS A SMALL DICTIONARY

 NAME: IVANA
COUNTRY:CROATIA
EMAIL (optional)ladyalexandra2001@yahoo.com