Some months after concluding my 2009 Italy trip and blog, my architect and otherwise-very-smart friend gently informed me that I had misused several terms when describing the many cathedrals, domes and bell towers I visited. As it turns out, for example, duomo does not refer to a dome itself. Rather, duomo properly refers to a cathedral, although sometimes it is used informally to refer to a non-cathedral church. Likewise, I wasn't entirely on point with aedicula (that seems to be the correct spelling, although I've also seen aedicule, aedicole and edicole). Aediculae (plural) are architectural frames around doorways, windows or niches, which may or may not serve as small shrines.
Whew, I feel better, even though it took 4 years to correct myself.
Regrettably, I notice several other points of inaccuracy when reading over those old Italy blog posts. (9/21/09: cafe is NOT spelled with two F's in Italian -- what made me think it was? I can't remember!)
Anyway, my point is: reader, be warned. I am often getting my information from guidebooks, other tourists, wikipedia, or my own misguided inferences. I try not to be too much of an idiot; alas, I sometimes fail. So please forgive what I hope are only occasional fact-checking lapses.
