Thoughts on turbulent times
“Stay safe” over the last two years has meant “try to not catch Covid” or “stay healthy”. The pandemic has often been framed in a military way, as some kind of war. Covid often being referred to…
Living in London
I’ve always wanted to live in London. I’ve always been fascinated by its history and architectural beauty (if you know me you know I’m obsessed with sash windows and old townhouses). But also how its diversity means…
Twenties Questions ep4: Five years a corporate slave
This week’s episode is with my childhood bestie, so you’re all in for a treat: you get two Francescas! It was so fun to record this in person with her, particularly since the last couple of episodes…
Closing my Italy chapter
And so another chapter in my life draws to a close. That sounds fairly ominous… and in a way it is. My grandmother died the day after Easter Monday, marking the end of an era for the…
The shackles of being the second sex
The past ten days have shown there is, as I have said before – still no vaccine for sexism in the West. The cruel and heartbreaking murder of Sarah Everard in London has shone a harsh light…
Italy: one year after the first Western lockdown
The pandemic suddenly felt much closer to home when Italy was plunged into a national lockdown one year ago today. It feels like a changed place to my second home, the place I return to every year…
Living la vita Britaliana
“The Italian” is often what I’m referred to in the UK. “Sei così British! [You’re so British]” my colleagues here in Italy often say, rather bemused. Growing up in a European School I was raised to love…
New year, new me (ish?)
I would like to wish all my f(r)ans a very happy new year! (Is it too late to do that? It’s still January, so I’m thinking it’s fine.) Even though so far – just like last year…
Venice without tourists: ve-nice or ghostly?
Since moving to Padova I’ve been to Venice several times to see my family there. I was no stranger to the infamous pictures of the dolphins enjoying the newly-clear turquoise waters during Italy’s spring lockdown – however…
What’s new in Padova?
Our first month and a half has been quite hectic. I have now settled into a work pattern which gives me a sense of purpose and routine I desperately needed after lockdown and summer at home. We…
