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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • REPORTERPatrick Sacco

HELLO! MY NAME IS PATRICK AND I HAVE RELOCATED TO AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A, IN APRIL 2022. I WORK AS A CIVIL ENGINEER AND I’M ALSO AN AMATEUR POET IN MY SPARE TIME. WHENEVER I HAVE THE CHANCE, I LIKE TO DRIVE MY CAR AND EXPLORE NEW PLACES. I LOVE BEING OUTDOORS, CAMPING AND HIKING. I HOPE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND SHARE MY KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS NEW UP-AND-COMING CITY WITH YOU!

  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2025.03.13
  • Who would like a cup of drip coffee?
  • American coffee, also known as filtered coffee, has historical roots dating back to the Second World War: American soldiers, accustomed to light coffee, diluted the intense European espresso with hot water, creating a lighter drink.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2025.03.04
  • Homeschooling PS
  • In America, more and more parents are deciding to choose homeschooling, a valid alternative to the traditional school system, but what is it?
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2025.01.09
  • Aspen visit
  • Winter is approaching and many will be planning their next Christmas holidays soon. The United States of America has a lot to offer for winter holidays. So why not take the opportunity to go and explore the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains? I wondered.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2024.11.21
  • Pumpkin everything.
  • Pumpkin patches are one of the most beloved fall traditions in the United States. During the fall, families flock to these patches to choose the perfect pumpkin to carve into a Jack-o'-lantern, a traditional Halloween lantern.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2024.11.14
  • THE ART OF CREATING MEMORIES
  • It may seem like nowadays people only keep their ‘lives’ on their smartphones and everything is digital, but scrapbooking is still a thing for Americans and my girlfriend is a big fan of it.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2024.10.21
  • Elgin
  • Elgin is an historical little town just a stone throw away from Austin but it is truly a world away.
    This is the good old Texas!
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2024.10.07
  • Eating out…(literally speaking)
  • Food trucks have transformed urban streets into outdoor gourmet islands of culinary experiences, offering much more than just quick snacks: they are real restaurants on wheels that serve gourmet dishes and unique fusion creations.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2024.09.02
  • Golfing and beaches
  • Texas is certainly one of the most sought-after and popular destinations for outdoor adventure enthusiasts, for everything the Lone Star State can offer, capable of satisfying every need and passion.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2024.08.21
  • american desserts
  • Spectacular, colourful, rich, irresistible: American desserts are a true delight for the eyes and the palate, including filled layer cakes, cupcakes covered in delicious butter cream and chewy cookies with stringy dough.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2024.07.12
  • Lacrosse, an all North American sport
  • Lacrosse is an ancient traditional sport invented by the native tribes of North America.
    It is halfway between hockey and American football one could say and it is mostly practiced in the US and Canada where the tribes lived (and live).
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2024.07.08
  • Not everyone (abroad) knows that …
  • 1. Americans are very very hospitable people: let's say you find yourself on the street with a map in hand, intent on understanding which is the right way to the place you are looking for...it won't be long before someone approaches you asking if you need some help.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2024.06.24
  • Feeling like…Dallas.
  • It can happen that out of the blue you feel like visiting Dallas. It happened to me when I came to the realization that it was a city that had to offer more than a setting for a very famous soap opera which was shot here in the 80s and there is something else indeed, much more I must admit.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2024.05.17
  • Shall we dance? Prom night!
  • An event eagerly awaited by most American students, but also by exchange students who get to spend a year of High School in the United States, is the prom night at the end of the school year.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2024.03.29
  • Beach time, the Texan way.
  • When Texans think about the beach they think of Galveston.
    It is the closest coastal town to Austin and Houston and that’s where Texans go when they can’t travel as far as Florida.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2024.02.15
  • Garage sale - Decluttering your life
  • Maybe you've seen it while walking in the suburbs of some American city if you have been here before, or yet you've spotted it in some film. It’s the garage sale or yard sale and it is a truly effective way of selling the items you no longer need or use.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.12.13
  • Knights or cowboys?
  • Herds and prairies, cowboys and longhorn cows are the first things that come to mind at the word Texas: this state, on the border with Mexico, is certainly all of this, but it can be much more and reserve surprises that are as unexpected as they are pleasant.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.12.04
  • Shopping for…comfort food.
  • The other day I was grocery shopping, at a supermarket, one of those American monsters, with a million aisles, a billion products, a zillion colors and brands that invite you to buy them.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.11.13
  • Roadkill recipes, odd but tasty?
  • At first glance the idea of looking for crushed wild animals on the road sounds obviously gross and even morbid, but some people here in the United States do follow this practice called roadkill cooking.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.10.27
  • Trick or Treat? The Halloween dilemma
  • The Halloween celebration originated in Scotland and Ireland and was then exported to the United States with the immigration of Irish people, where it has become one of the most heartfelt events of the year.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.10.17
  • Texas Hill Country
  • Texas wine tradition is one of the oldest in the country with vines planted here more than a hundred years before California which is now the most famous wine state. I have informed myself and learned that some of the first Texas wines were produced by Spanish missionaries in the mid-16th century in the El Paso area.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.10.03
  • Action for auctions
  • Auctions are very popular in the United States.Many people attend local auctions to buy cars, bikes, objects and even houses.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.09.22
  • Tailgating: American style at its best!
  • The United States, and in particular Texas and Florida, is inhabited by people of different origins: mostly the so-called Latinos (coming from Central and South America) but, in the winter months, also by Canadians who come to spend the winter in the warmth, the so-called snowbirds.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.07.11
  • A tip about tipping in the US
  • Tipping in the United States has unwritten rules and it’s considered to be a very important gesture of appreciation towards waiters and waitresses. These workers normally serve you not only food but kindness and smiles.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.06.19
  • United States of America: The Unwritten Rules.
  • When you arrive in the United States you have to adapt to certain rules of life. Whether we like them or not. We have to adapt to these rules because we are guests and this is true whatever the reason we are here, be it for vacation, work or to live here.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.05.19
  • Homelessness in America and community support
  • In my last blog, I described how some members of each community help other members of the same community by promoting book exchanges in their neighborhoods or by leaving unwanted items and furniture on the front lawn for others to take.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.05.09
  • Living in a giving community.
  • In North America, therefore in Canada and USA alike, the sense of community has always been strong.
    It is something children learn at school, it is about the ‘sharing is caring’ sort of mentality, it has to do with learning how to behave around your neighbors and how to do your part to make things better around where you live.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.03.16
  • NASA Space Center: Houston, here I come!
  • Even if the NASA launches of space missions are in Cape Canaveral, it is the Houston office that directs everything. It is here that new technologies are developed and astronauts train for their next stellar journey.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.03.02
  • Work-Life in America
  • Working in America can be tough especially for long working hours, high expectations and tough competition but every time I sent out a resume they almost always replied, even when I sent a spontaneous application. I have always received an email even just to tell me ‘Thanks for the resume but at the moment there are no open positions’.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.02.06
  • Junk food? All aisles!
  • It is unfair and not right to say that in America people only eat junk food.
    It is not true that you cannot find high quality ingredients and products in American supermarkets but it is true that you must pay for good quality and healthy foods here.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2023.01.17
  • Are Americans cold people?
  • Texas is a hot State. Temperatures are high year round and Americans don’t love the heat. It isn't a prejudice: it's the truth: Americans love air conditioning.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2022.12.27
  • BE THANKFUL. BE GRATEFUL.
  • Even if you don’t live in the United States, you have probably heard about Thanksgiving by watching American movies or TV series and you have probably noticed how special this day is for American families. Thanksgiving weekend, a long weekend which starts on Thursday and ends on Sunday, is particularly felt in America, and represents such an important holiday that it overshadows other important festivities, including Christmas.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2022.11.14
  • America is always America!
  • Since my move to Austin, Texas, from Canada, I have been noticing differences between the two North-American countries. I used to (erroneously) think that Canada and the United States were basically the same but it isn’t so.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2022.11.02
  • THE CATHEDRAL OF JUNK.
  • Not all of us throw away our unwanted stuff: some people become hoarders and start piling up junk in their garages and homes, but one person, Austinite Vince Hannemann, turned such junk into a masterpiece of backyard art.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2022.10.17
  • AMERICAN FOOTBALL, A TRUE PASSION FOR TEXANS.
  • As for all American states, Texas also has a strong sports culture. American football is a religion here and, other than the NFL teams, the state university teams are also very important because future sports stars often come from these places.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2022.09.07
  • ON THE ROADS OF TEXAS WITH TEEN DRIVERS
  • I was well aware (from movies and TV series) that at 15 years of age boys and girls can already drive here in the United States, albeit with an adult on the passenger seat, and that at 16 years old they are ready to get behind the wheel on their own, yet I was surprised to see young teens driving once I moved here.
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  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • U.S.A Austin, Texas
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2022.03.16
  • Freedom Convoy
  • I don’t think that Canadian news make the headlines in Japan, especially these days with news such as the war in Ukraine, but thousands of protesters took to the streets in Ottawa, Canada, to demand an end to the restrictions imposed by the government to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2022.02.17
  • Cooking it off…Canadian style
  • There is a sort of another national lockdown in place all over Canada…pubs, restaurants and cafes are closed or with a very limited access and with loads of restrictions so…what can I do? I cook! These days I like to cook at home for a small number of dear friends who come visit and have potlucks at my place.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.12.23
  • Plastic ban Canada
  • More and more extreme weather is threatening the four corners of the world. In Canada, we are running against time to limit the damages caused by natural disasters.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.12.14
  • Taxes in Canada!!
  • It is true, taxes are not due until about February, but it is also true that this is the deadline my accountant gives me to submit all documents I have so it’s better to prepare well in advance.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.11.29
  • Did you know?
  • Did you know that in Canada people kindly greet the driver and thank him when they get on and off the bus and that, of course, the driver responds with kindness and courtesy (let's say most of the times ) and, if you are ‘lucky’ you can also find yourself a driver with a strong sense of humour who makes some funny jokes or greets you in his own way?
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.11.16
  • Market
  • Located in the heart of Ottawa is a covered market with the best local produce. A hybrid place between a neighbourhood fruit store, a local food market and even a sugar shack, this place is a regular stopover whenever in town.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.11.01
  • visiting a maple syrup shack
  • I have always wanted to learn more about maple syrup. It was therefore obvious that I would go sooner or later to visit a maple syrup shack, an opportunity for me to learn about this typical Canadian product and come back with ideas for gourmet recipes.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.10.18
  • Oh, Canadians!
  • I have been living in Canada for quite a few years now and I believe it is an incredible country. It is a huge country too and is the second largest state on earth. A place that still feels like a frontier, sparsely populated and very young, less than two centuries old indeed.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.10.01
  • Magic Canada, from Toronto to Montreal
  • An itinerary I did some time ago and that I highly suggest if you ever decide to come visit Canada is the one starting in Toronto and ending in Québec City (you’ll go a bit further East and then return to Québec City to fly out).
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.08.04
  • Canada Day!
  • July 1st was Canada’s birthday! During this holiday, maple leaf flags are normally hoisted everywhere in the city and on balconies. It is usually a day of serene atmosphere and shared joy but these past two years things have been different and, because of the pandemic, no major celebrations have taken place anywhere unfortunately.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.07.19
  • Bear Country
  • Everyone knows that Canada is a Bear's Country. This is the sign that appears practically everywhere and when you choose to experience this country doing camping (sleeping overnight in a tent) and hiking in the parks (during the day), I assure you that you need to know what to do in case of encounters with bears.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.06.28
  • Living costs and pension plans…
  • Life is getting pricier and pricier here in Canada but salaries are not going up.More and more people among my friends, acquaintances but also on talk shows on TV are expressing their concerns regarding this situation.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.05.31
  • It is not a country for mothers ...
  • It is not a country for mothers ... “It is not a country for mothers of children from 0 to 4 years old” is what a friend of mine kept telling me about the USA but I keep hearing the same about Canada.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.04.23
  • I keep on cooking…..shall I become a chef?
  • Although I have already mentioned many times the fact that Canada has never truly developed an independent culinary tradition, this cuisine can still be rich of surprises and indeed my blogs are becoming a sort of culinary blogs (LOL) especially given the fact that now other than working remotely there is not much I am doing.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.04.12
  • Vaccination Campaign continued
  • Here in Canada, we are currently working on the vaccination campaign. The management of the new infections is good, but there are many delays in the distribution of the vaccines I heard and it is not going as well as promised by the prime minister months ago when it first started back in December.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.03.25
  • staycations
  • Everybody here in Canada is already thinking? or looking forward? Or dreaming? about holidays…but when will we be able to travel internationally again?
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.02.17
  • Let’s hope the antidote works!
  • The Covid-19 vaccination campaign the entire world is talking about has started more than a month ago here in Canada, in mid-December, earlier than in many countries in Europe (including my home country Italy where it started in mid-January) but behind schedule compared to neighboring USA.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.01.27
  • White Elephant gift swap
  • Holidays are the time for parties and festivals and that means celebration and gifts. However, with the persistent economic crisis over our heads, giving gifts to every member of the extended family or may be all of our friends and neighbours may not be accessible.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2021.01.14
  • What I miss
  • Strange days, these days.Isolation from the pandemic inevitably places us in front of sacrifices, the keyword is resistance I suppose, hoping that better times will come.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.12.24
  • Holidays in Canada 2020 style
  • Unfortunately, I cannot go home for the holiday this year.I mean, maybe I could, but it would be so complicated with quarantines, swabs, bureaucracy and the fear of infecting my family members that I decided to spend the holidays in Ottawa.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.10.30
  • Visiting Ottawa and discovering something close to home
  • Ottawa’s economy is based on the activities of the ministries, the federal government and the Parliament of Canada, but a large segment of the workforce is employed in the high-tech and tourism sectors and, obviously, the last one is suffering greatly from the current situation so it’s good that Canadians are taking the chance to explore their own country a bit this year.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.10.13
  • The WILD CANADA TRAIL
  • Imagine a trail crossing a country with landscapes as sublime as they are varied and in which countless activities and discoveries await to be experienced.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.09.17
  • POUTINE, A DELICIOUS MESS OF A DISH
  • I have already talked about Maple syrup, the most iconic Canadian specialty and I have also mentioned Jerky and how Canadians are passionate about meat but there is another true Canadian dish worth writing about: poutine.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.09.02
  • Canyoning and water sports in Canada
  • Canyoning, also called canyoneering, is a sport that consists in exploring canyons/gorges that also have streams within them and facing the difficulties that this path presents. The term canyon/gorge indicates a very deep inlet with high walls inside which a stream flows.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.08.20
  • Chemin du Roi
  • I love traveling but after my Scottish ordeal and considering that the borders are close even with our neighbours (the US) I believe that this year I’ll only be able to travel locally in Canada and by car.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.08.04
  • The Italian communities in Canada
  • The Italian migratory flow directed towards Canada happened in the post-war period and, although it did not have the numerical significance of the US or South American phenomenon of a few decades before, it led to the creation of many Italian communities and ‘little Italy’ all over the country.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.06.26
  • Scottish souvenirs…
  • Now that the Covid19 situation seems to be more under control I was finally able to book my ticket to return to Canada and I’ll soon return home.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.06.12
  • Do you know ‘Rumbledethumps’?
  • Not many people are a fan of Scottish cuisine. When I lived here, I wrote about haggis, haddock and shortbread biscuits although, I must admit, I had never particularly liked this cuisine myself.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.05.22
  • THE SCOTTISH RESPONSE TO THIS COVID19 EMERGENCY
  • During this time of Covid19 emergency our focus is on protecting physical health but health officials in the United Kingdom are stressing the importance on also maintaining good mental health because during an unprecedented emergency like the one we are experiencing the raise in mental health problems is almost a given.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.05.01
  • MY QUARANTINE BACK IN SCOTLAND
  • Although I live in Canada, I got stuck in the UK like thousands of other people around the world who were traveling for pleasure or for work when this Coronavirus situation got out of hand.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.04.08
  • The future of jerky?
  • Dry meat, the so-called Jerky here, is one of the staple foods of Canada together with Maple syrup and poutine fries but, in recent times, it seems that an increasing interest for veganism is seeing less consumption of this popular dry meat and more request of its vegan version instead.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.03.25
  • Italian-Canadians
  • Italians have always been an important part of the Canadian culture. At the end of the Second World War, many Italians chose Canada as their destination to emigrate from Italy but the most significant increase in the number of residents belonging to the Italian community in Canada occurred between the 50s and the 60s, reaching its peak in the 70s.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.03.12
  • Why is Canada so appealing??
  • Canada is becoming increasingly popular for immigrants and emigrants worldwide and it is one of the most popular destinations for Europeans looking for opportunities abroad.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.02.14
  • CANADIAN FAUNA
  • When I talk about Canada, people immediately think of its fir forests, its mountains, its lakes lost in nature and for good reasons because it’s not far from reality! This country is developing in perfect harmony with the geography and the environment that surrounds it.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.01.31
  • Ice all around!!
  • It does not matter if you are an ice skating amateur, a lover, a pro or not, the ice skating rinks in Canada are a unique sight. And the ritual is repeated every year.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2020.01.08
  • Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-DOG-open sleigh!...
  • The famous Christmas song goes:
    “Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way… Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse-open sleigh, hey…”
    Here in Canada there may be horse-open-sleigh but the true adventure is to ride around Christmas time on a dog-pulled-sled.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.12.18
  • CANADIAN CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
  • Christmas is almost here. We are all preparing to do our best to celebrate this millenary tradition, as we have been accustomed by our grandparents, which usually means a lot of food, gifts, family and the usual Christmas mass.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.12.04
  • Made in Canada: Cirque du Soleil
  • The Cirque du Soleil was born in the 80s in Montreal, from an idea of a young Canadian performer. Its peculiarity is that besides having top-level shows, it is a circus which excludes the presence of animals as entertainment, since the physical and psychological abuse that other circus companies inflict on their animals are well known to everybody by now.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.11.20
  • Visiting Quebec and Quebec City
  • I have visited Quebec City and travelled almost all of this country. Quebec City, in my opinion (and that of many), is still the most romantic city in Canada because of its old centre with old walls, listed in the Cultural Heritage of Humanity list by UNESCO.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.10.31
  • Canadian culture and symbols
  • Always known as a country very attentive to environmental conservation (despite some extremely polluting industrial plants located in the north of the province of Alberta), Canada brings with it an ecological culture very present in the civic consciences of its population.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.09.24
  • School system in Canada.
  • In Canada, the public-school system for elementary and secondary schools is free (which means paid through taxation). However, there are several private solutions unlike for the Canadian health system (which is only public).
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.09.11
  • Wooden parables
  • I had never paid too much attention to them before moving to Canada but, now that I live here, I love totems. They are not everywhere but when I see one, either in a museum or in a park, I am reminded that I live in Canada now.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.08.07
  • Ice, ice…wine!
  • Ottawa, where I live, is located in the province of Ontario, on the eastern border with Quebec and Ontario is Canada's largest wine-growing region and its vineyards grow on the Niagara Peninsula, on the northern shore of Lake Erie and on the small islands nearby.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.07.31
  • Wooden craftsmanship, Inuit and Yupik art
  • Canadian craftsmanship is essentially based on a raw material: wood. In the vast majority of souvenir shops, you will find various types of wooden objects. In the vast majority of cases, they are small animal sculptures, wooden representations of the symbolic maple leaf or some other souvenir that represents a staple object of the Canadian place where you are.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.07.10
  • Montreal, Canada’s most European city
  • Montreal's Old Town is located near the old port and, although it is not a city surrounded by walls, it is bounded by three streets: Rue Surs-Grises to the West, Rue St-Antoine to the North and Rue St-Hubert to the East, and it also includes the old port of Montreal to the South.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.05.24
  • School system in Canada
  • I don’t know how the Japanese school system is, but the Canadian school system is more similar to the American and Australian systems than to the continental European one.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.04.26
  • Back to Toronto!
  • I must admit that although I am happy to live in Ottawa…I had a great time in Toronto and I decided to go back there!Canada's largest city is absolutely fabulous.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.03.25
  • Canada vs. USA?
  • The sarcastic judgment of Oscar Wilde is still valid: the United States and Canada are united by many things, but remain divided by language.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.03.08
  • A day at the Museum.
  • Maybe I’m just a museum nerd or maybe it’s the cold Canadian winter but, truth is, museums in Ottawa are welcoming, warm and truly exhaustive and they are a great way to spend a weekend.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.02.20
  • Time to cheer, time for Carnival!
  • Here in Canada, we obviously celebrate Christmas with snowy landscapes and that’s the image most people have of Canada: a cold snowy place where Christmas is felt almost year-round…well, that’s not the case! Canada has four seasons: a hot Summer, a chilly Autumn, a (very) cold Winter and a beautiful colourful Spring time.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.02.07
  • How to survive the Canadian winter
  • Since I’m originally from Italy, a country which has mild weather year-round, accepting to move to Ottawa, Canada, for work, I had to prepare for a cold winter and I had to discover new activities to do to keep myself busy in such a cold place.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2019.01.23
  • Brrrrr…Baby, it’s cold outside!
  • Every winter, many festivals featuring the most beautiful sculptures made of ice and snow are held around the world and, reading about these festivals, I have read that there is a famous festival in Sapporo, Japan.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.12.14
  • Multiculturalism in Canada
  • Multiculturalism is the coexistence of different cultures and, in a general sense, it refers to the coexistence of various communities with different origins, habits and culture.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.11.22
  • Canadian Thanksgiving tradition
  • Just like it happens in the United States, Canadians traditionally give thanks once a year by expanding their waistlines with stuffed turkeys, pumpkin dishes and mashed potatoes to celebrate Thanksgiving.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.11.13
  • Continuing my PATH in Toronto
  • In this blog, I wish to give you some more information about Toronto and tell you about the continuation of my PATH. If you have read my previous article, you may recall I was in Toronto, Canada’s main city, where I joined PATH, an historical, mostly underground, pedestrian path that winds for over 30 kilometres around Toronto and which takes you to the main attractions in the city.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.10.24
  • On the PATH in Toronto
  • I feel like a visitor myself in Canada since I moved here not long ago for work and this time I decided to visit Toronto and I wish to introduce this city to you because I found it truly fantastic.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.10.12
  • Like in a green fairytale…
  • Plants, trees, leaves and shrubs modeled to create spectacular natural statues, which change and transform themselves season after season as characters in a fairytale setting, are the protagonists of the Living Sculptures Mosaic Canada Park.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.10.02
  • The majestic Niagara Falls
  • Canada attracts for the vastness and the immensity of its territories. For its uncontaminated nature, for its - many - wild animals. It is the realm of winter sports and infinite territories.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.09.12
  • Maple, a staple food for Canada.
  • When you think of maple syrup, you normally think back to American breakfasts with stacks of pancakes but, truth is, maple syrup is a natural sweetener obtained from boiling the sap of maple trees and it’s originally from Canada.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.09.03
  • Let there be light!
  • In Canada I heard the saying: ‘Our past illuminates our future’ and no show shows it better (do you like the pun?) than the Light Show on Parliament Hill in our capital city, Ottawa.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.07.17
  • Partying with the bears, dancing with the wolves!
  • Parc Omega is a nature park in Montebello, Quebec, but it’s not too far from Ottawa. It is THE place where the Canadian wildlife welcomes you to its natural habitat: wolf, black bear, moose, elk, beaver, bison, you name it, they are all there!
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.07.03
  • It’s time to try Canadian food!
  • Street food and finger food are getting more and more popular in Canada as well. This trend moves on the wheels of food trucks (some of them are real works of art) and it’s ever-present at food festivals, going from one part of the country to another. It tempts you on the roadside or in the brewery pub menus.
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.06.22
  • Ice, Ice, Baby!
  • The saying goes: “When in Rome do as the Romans do…” and therefore I wanted to go watch an ice hockey game upon arriving in Canada but, to my great disappointment, I found out that the ice hockey season was over and it had just ended a week prior to my arrival in the ‘maple leaf country.’
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  • Canada -
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.06.08
  • Oh, Canada!
  • I never thought this would be my opening line for my first blog in Ottawa, Canada, where I recently moved to, but here I’ll say it: “In Canada, it can get very hot!”
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.05.21
  • Yummy Scottish Shortbread
  • Today I wish to teach you how to make Scottish Shortbread Biscuits (my favourites!). It’s hard to find them outside the United Kingdom and they are a Scottish staple food to have with tea so I learnt how to make them to be able to have them wherever I feel like them around the world.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.04.26
  • Scottish traditional dances
  • The traditional Scottish dances are social dances that involve groups or pairs of dancers who follow certain patterns progressively according to the choreography. Although it is considered a popular folk dance, it has its origins in the wealthy Renaissance.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.04.12
  • Isle of Skye: an island within an island
  • They say that the Isle of Skye is a miniature Scotland, and that visiting it gives a feeling that almost meets all that is being sought after in Scotland. Without a doubt it is ambitious and exaggerated to affirm this so bluntly, but it portrays to a certain extent what we are going to find in the fields of Scotland.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.04.02
  • A little bit of Royal History at the Edinburgh Castle
  • One of the most famous Scottish castles is the Edinburgh Castle, which stands on top of an extinct volcano near the centre of the city and which overlooks the surrounding landscape. In what is considered a true national symbol are kept some authentic treasures: the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland (this is the collective name used to designate the crown, sceptre and sword of the Insignia of Scotland).
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.03.20
  • Glasgow, the heart of Scottish music
  • The links between Glasgow and music are endless: between Glasgow, the underground scene, and Glasgow, the capital of folk music, there is a whole world of melodies and notes that you cannot miss.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.03.06
  • AN ADVENTURE ATOP THE CITY: ARTHUR’S SEAT
  • Arthur's Seat is like the castle of Edinburgh, you cannot really miss it when you arrive in this city, not even during a rainy or foggy day. Arthur's Seat is the place to go to have the best view of the city, of course you can also have a very pretty view from Edinburgh’s castle or from Calton Hill, but this one is by far my favourite.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.02.20
  • Charming cemeteries
  • I know, I know, the title is a bit scary but don’t be scared! I have a real passion for Scottish cemeteries and I find them incredibly relaxing and not at all eerie. I am attracted by small cemeteries overlooking the sea, with their lopsided headstones, the green grass and the plants that grow around them, even better if they stand near a small church partially in ruins and Scotland is full of them.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.02.06
  • The Scottish Language
  • Perhaps you speak English very well, you watched hundreds of movies and TV series, until you got to the point when you do not need subtitles anymore.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.01.23
  • One country or two?
  • Although I don’t particularly like talking about politics, I think it’s possible to touch some topics without expressing a personal opinion about them.I noticed that we often talk about Scottish Independence but then few know why Scotland wants to be independent and few people abroad are aware of the current situation here.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2018.01.10
  • The Kelpies of Falkirk
  • Today I wish to talk to you a little bit about a curious place I came across when I used to work in Stirling.One day, before returning home from Stirling, I took a short trip to see the famous Scottish Kelpies, near the town of Falkirk. The place was majestic, quiet and absolutely impressive. The air was crisp and the area was enchanting.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2017.12.20
  • Art for all, all for art
  • The National Gallery of Scotland is an art gallery located in Edinburgh and is predominantly a private collections’ museum meaning that most art works on display here were donated by private collectors over time as part of a charity donation. The entrance to the museum is free of charge but donations are gladly accepted and they go to charity.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2017.12.08
  • Glen Coe, a pearl between the Highlands
  • Glen Coe is the absolute Scottish gem and it’s the most amazing natural ‘playground’ for all Scots who like the outdoors. Close enough to Scotland’s main cities and towns but ‘far enough’ to be uncontaminated and lush, this place is a favourite destination for weekend getaways even if it never gets too crowded.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2017.11.27
  • Dynamic Earth to discover our planet
  • Located in the emblematic capital of Scotland, Dynamic Earth is one of the leading and most prestigious conference venues in the United Kingdom. This amazing place welcomes visitors from all over the world for a wide range of events including business meetings, gala dinners and fundraising events and it offers state-of-the-art conference facilities and a professional staff of event organizers.
  • Continue reading
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2017.09.28
  • Bobby - a Scottish hero
  • I love dogs and I know that in Japan you have a famous dog named Hachiko, who waited for his master for over 9 years and to whom they dedicated a bronze statue in the Shibuya station.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2017.08.29
  • Scottish breeds
  • Scotland can be classified as one of the most biodiverse regions of the UK and Europe and its enormous variety of landscapes facilitates the life of thousands of species who can enjoy protection from both inhabitants and institutions, all aware of the importance of conservation and its role in the future of this region.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2017.08.15
  • The thistle – Scotland’s national flower
  • England has the rose, Wales the narcissus, Ireland the clover and Scotland ... the thistle.According to Scottish people, nothing symbolizes Scotland better than this humble weed. But how did it become the proud emblem of an entire nation?
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2017.08.01
  • The Enchanted Forest
  • This year the company I work for is participating in the preparation of the Enchanted Forest Festival providing some assistance in the special effects of what is perhaps the most prestigious Scottish show of lights and sounds.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2017.05.01
  • Wedding traditions in Scotland
  • Scottish weddings are not like other weddings around the UK.There are specific traditions and customs involved in these rites and Scots also have superstitions regarding their wedding day.
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  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • 2017.04.20
  • Stirling, a weekend away
  • Stirling is a popular weekend destination for Edinburgers (it’s a funny name I give to people living in Edinburgh, do you like it?) and it has always been a strategic point
  • Continue reading
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco
  • UK Edimburgh
  • Patrick Sacco

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