I haven’t been doing very well at putting up critical information about my research and courses, but I thought it would be interesting to write about life here in Bra, Italy. It has only been a few days and I feel like I am seeing Italy through new eyes again. As an anthropologist, this is a truly special moment, especially having lived here before for several years. Ever corner I turn brings new sights, smells and sounds to my eyes. I hope I can share my experience of returning to Italy after two years in Canada and my adventure of teaching and doing research at the University of Gastronomic Sciences.

Bra is home to the Slow Food movement and next week the city will be hosting Cheese, where hundreds of cheese makers from all over the world will congregate to share their wonderful art. I intend to eat as much cheese as humanly possible. I would also like to write more about the University and the beautiful historic campus in Pollenzo.

It is peperoni season in the province of Cuneo. No, pepperoni is not a sausage: in Italy, they are bells peppers. In this area there are a number a varieties that range from squares to horns. As I walked through the market this morning people were caring cases home. I could just imagine the smell of a nice peperonata: peppers cooked slowly with onions and a little thyme until they caramelize.