Kategória: english

Why Italians are one of the longest-living nations in Europe?

The Italians are rumored to be hedonists, driving crazy, yet according to Eurostat statistics, they are one of the longest-living nations in Europe. Many people simply explain this phenomenon with the Mediterranean diet, but I think the answer is much more complex.

The Italian “elixir of youth” in my (foreigner) eyes:

Still, I would start with the italian food and eating habits. It’s well known that the lunch and dinner time is important in the life of the italian families. They spend this time often loudly, but strictly together. Not only does this increase the feeling of family togetherness and the individual happiness of the family members, but eating at the same time each day is also good for the metabolism. During the main meals the Italians eat at least 2-3 courses, however the afternoon snack is unknown in between.

Italians traditionally prefer seasonal and local vegetables and fruits. They also buy quality from dairy products, meat and fish directly from the butcher, the grower’s cheese shop or the fish market. Even a Lidl discount doesn’t convince them to buy poor quality or unnecessary food, because in Italy it is a sin to throw away food. For every meal (but at least for dinner), they try to cook the right portion. If a small excess is left, it will be consumed at the next meal (or at the latest the next day). Nor can we find Italian housewives spending the whole day in the kitchen, because most Italian dishes, because of their simplicity, can be cooked in half an hour. Salad, or some delicious raw vegetable, comes with every meal sprinkled with homemade extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar (my favorite is raw fennel). Since every (south) Italian has a relative cultivating olive trees, there is no need to queue for olive oil in the supermarket.

It’s really interesting, how the Italians are listening to their bodies. Fast food orgies are not usual here… as well we won’t catch anyone with a huge cup of capuccino after lunch, because they know that milk doesn’t help their digestion. Another good example is the sea bathing after meal. An Italian takes at least 2 hours before jumping into the water again. Italian food is calibrated to the needs of the human body. It’s not over-seasoned, 1-2 spices are used to provide the perfect combination for different ingredients. Italian housewives pay special attention to a varied diet. If they eat meat for lunch, for dinner they will serve fish or cheese. It is also important to mention that most Italians do not consume sugary soft drinks, they drink water or a glass of red wine. After a full Italian dinner, you won’t lie helpless for hours on the couch, as the food is usually light and low fat and the ingredients are combined well.

On the south, on weekdays men go home from work for lunch. Since the lunch break is 2 hours, they can enjoy an afternoon nap as well. It’s not rare, that on summer weekends the family is snoring peacefully together after the lunch.

In summary we can say, that the quality way of eating and relaxing are essential for the Italians, but proper celebrations and cleanliness are equally important to them. When I met Italians at the first time, I was really surprised by their attention to order and cleanliness. Because a clean environment has a positive impact on our mental health, I believe that this also contributes to the long, balanced life of this nation.

As a final word I would like to add, that there are some Italians who rule out the pressure of time and the stress. 🙂 The time here is relative, a quarter-hour, 20-minutes of delay (quarta d’ora academico) is in most cases fully accepted. Everyone should decide for themselves whether or not they are right. 🙂

Abruzzo, where the sea and the mountains come together

I have lived for many years in busy cities, like Budapest or Lisbon. I have to say, that I has been already a bit fed up with the mass of people and the constant changes around me. The irony of the life is, that I landed on a place, where the time flows more slowly. The international tourism is not developed yet, strangers rarely can be found here. Earlier, when I was thinking of Italy, the crowded beaches of Rimini-Riccione came in my mind immediately. My incomprehension grew, when I started to discover the beautiful characteristics of this region. According to the locals, Abruzzo is the place, where the sea and the mountains come together. Indeed…. it takes 30 minutes to reach the most beautiful beaches on the Adriatic coast from the hiking trails of the Majella mountain.

I arrived in Abruzzo, to the boarder of the northern and the southern parts of the Italian boot. This imaginary line can be literally recognized as well in the movements of the tectonic plates. In this closed world the locals in the medieval hilltop villages are still producing wine and olive oil and spend the summer evenings all together on the main square.

In the ancient ages and in the Middle Age lot’s of nations (the Greeks and the Normans among others) arrived here and mixed with the local Italic tribes and their descendants. From the 1st century the region became the part of the Roman Empire and later the part of the Kingdom of Naples. The beautiful harbor and mountain towns of Abruzzo were born in this cultural diversity. Among the antique and medieval palaces, in stylish bars we can enjoy an aperol spritz and the served aperitivo (snacks) and feel the history around. We can also observe the local habits, how the people are sauntering on the streets in beautiful dresses after the five course sunday lunch (this activity is called “struscio” in the local dialect).

Traditional fishing structures (the “trabucco”-s) make the scenic coastline of Abruzzo even more unique. This fishing method was so widespread here, that it became one of the symbols of the region. This part of the Adriatic cost is also called as “costa dei trabocchi” (the trabucco cost). These structures are no longer used for fishing, they are often refurbished and used as restaurants or holiday houses.

Like every Italian region, also this area is full of delicious local food, e.g. the famous Montepulciano d’Abbruzzo wine, the pecorino (matured, hard sheep cheese), the heavenly “brodetto” (sea fish soup cooked of five specified Adriatic fish species), the “arrosticini” (sheep meat on skewer), the “ventricina” (spicy or sweet salami made from pork), the pasta la chitarra and even more.

Even if you surely take 3 kilos of extra weight during your trip in Abruzzo, it’s worth it to get away from the usual Italian destinations and get to know this authentic region.

Have fun! 🙂