An oil painting of a lit candle.

Sight Unseen

A blind expat's musings on life, death and the Trump era

April 15, 2026 | Rome, Italy
Snow was later harvested from Mount Etna.

Arabian ice

The Arab presence in Sicily produced granita and cremolato, icy staples on which Italy depends.

In honor of patron St. Dominick, serpents are the mainstay.

Sacred eating

Italian sagre are too many to name and run all year long, with food taking first place over religion.

A tangy long drink with a pleasant gingery aftertaste.

Cooling down

Italy has its own particular (and traditional) take on beverages to combat the summer heat.

In winter, some places have powerful heat lamps.

Al fresco

Italians love outdoor dining but they don’t need the term al fresco to hammer home the point.