The Paradise of Exiles

by Robert Damien

Overview

 In this compelling, enlightening journey of self-discovery, the author introduces us to the unrivaled artistic, cultural, historical, and culinary riches of Italy.  Along the way, he samples Venetian tapas, Renaissance and Baroque treasures, ancient history, and sweet romance.  He delves into the country's very soul, intent on gleaning as much pleasure and knowledge as is humanly possible from his cultural immersion.  He also has another very important mission to accomplish: repatriating his mother's cremains in the beautifully rustic region of Apulia and into the Adriatic Sea.  This voyage is full of evocative descriptions, enticing dining experiences, and acute nostalgia for days of yore.  It is breathtakingly beautiful, highly instructive, and lastingly bittersweet.  It will make a powerful impression on the reader on many levels.  So, sit back in your chair, open this modest book, and embark on your own wondrous journey through the beautiful country.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940164694432
Publisher:	Robert Damien
Publication date:	09/17/2020
Sold by:	Draft2Digital
Format:	eBook
File size:	388 KB

About the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Robert Damien Santagata is a freelance writer who resides in Chicago, Illinois.  He is the former Food & Travel Editor at Hinsdale Magazine, where he wrote features and restaurant reviews under the moniker “The Wandering Gourmet.”  He also composed restaurant reviews for Ethnic Media, art and art history articles for Financial Playbook Magazine and Designing Wealth Magazine, and opinion pieces for Fra Noi (Chicago’s Italian/Italian-American voice) and Order of Sons of Italy Magazine.  He has also written food/travel narratives for InTravelamag, a UK-based online magazine.  He has launched new YouTube channel (Foodin’ Around!), with which he intends to build a large, loyal following. Robert is obsessed with the great food cultures of the world, and has traveled to Asia and Europe on several occasions while a United States Marine and as a civilian determined to satisfy both his wanderlust and hankering for international cuisines.  From tagliato al manzo in Rome to souki soba in Okinawa, Japan—his cravings are eclectic, wide-ranging, and ALMOST invariably fulfilled.  It was as a United States Marine that Robert was introduced to, and immersed himself enormously in, the Japanese culture.  He learned to cook in his late-mother’s well-stocked Italian kitchen, as well as in several Italian restaurants in Japan upon separation from the Marine Corps.  Robert is conversant in the Japanese language, having studied and taught conversational English while residing there.  He is abundantly proud to have taught more than a few family recipes to the Japanese.  He fervently hopes that the pizza-making has improved since he departed years ago, for the pies were anything but authentic; they were “affronts to the Italian culture,” and the Neapolitans in particular.