Think you know Italy? These things might surprise you. They certainly did me! Cable TV is Free In the U.S., we're bombarded with deals for cable television, especially now that video apps like Netflix have taken over. But in Italy, you don't have to pay for the privilege of having far more channels than you can possibly watch. Well, I shouldn't say that cable is totally free; it's a fee that's baked into your electricity bill. So it's not optional. Everyone gets it. And I like that it's free!...

So you're looking to burn off some of those pasta and pizza calories, hmm? You're looking for a great workout that will be fun, too? Have I got the workout for you! Let me present Calabrian CrossFit! You'll spend time outdoors, get to know Calabrian traditions, and your muscles will cry. The best part? It's absolutely free! Let's Start Off Easy It's chestnut season , so we'll warm up with some castagne squats. Grab a bucket, put on some gloves that will prevent the little buggers from...

First of all, Happy Halloween! It's not much of a thing in Calabria, though I am sharing a bit of my American culture by having a Halloween party tonight. Since we're on the subject of darker things, I'd like to talk about death in Calabria. We take it for granted that the customs and traditions we're used to are the same everywhere, but as I learned recently, that's not always the case. Sadly, one of Fra's aunts passed away a few weeks ago, and when I witnessed their traditions, I was...