I’ve had a blog since 2004 and most of the time it was hosted by TypePad. Well that was the case until Monday. I noticed I’ve blogged very little over the past 18 months. I moved away from TypePad for a couple big reasons. TypePad was never able to create a robust mobile offering. Reading mobile versions of WordPress blogs is so much easier on the eyes than my former TypePad site.. Not anymore though and so I made the switch.
My second gripe is the mobile blogging software for smartphone devices or an iPod touch. TypePad’s iPod touch software is garbage. It never got any better and that doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. That’s why my blog now resides on WordPress and it’s much cheaper.
ITALY ! Yes, we went to Italy a few weeks ago and I haven’t blogged about it yet. I can tell you we never had a bad meal. We had wonderful service at our hotel, especially from a guy named Luigi. No, I’m not kidding.. that was his name. He’d bring us free things all the time and teach us some cool things to say in Italian. Luigi was probably in his early 60s and somehow was able to read our minds whether it be drink refills, candy for our friend’s daughter, or how to distinguish the fine wines.
This was our first vacation without our beloved bambina. We did pretty well the first few days, but it was nearly impossible not to think about her since many of the families at our hotel had their children. The little ones would use their little fishing rods attempting to catch minnows.
ITALY !!
I love driving in Europe. Part of the fun for me is learning how the natives drive and adapting to their styles. Before I could test the Italian roads, did you know there were 8 rental cars reserved in my name upon arrival in Milan? Yes, I had some concerns with Expedia’s and true to form they botched our reservations. Mrs. Lessinges joked how all the cars in the Thrifty parking lot were saved for me. Anyway, I like to drive stick shift, oh how I missed you manual transmission. It’s remarkable how I felt safer driving nearly 95 mph over there. Driving around 60 mph here is almost more dangerous.
ITALY !!!
Some (more) highlights:
- I ate gelato nearly every day as directed by a good friend.
- The young girls don’t wear bikini tops. To distinguish the difference between a 7 year old boy or girl, one simply looks to see if they are bikini bottoms or not.
- Hiking the Cinque Terre region is truly something I won’t ever forget.
- Caprese salads are damn tasty, especially when consumed in the heart of a walled city (Lucca).
- I need a yacht… err, maybe I should start with a job first.
- The sound of scooters has been missed since back in the motherland.
- The staff at our hotel put in some long hours, routinely working 12 hour days.
The Continued Life of Monkey Boy 
Cinque Terra is a great place to wander. The breakfasts are a delight too. In fact, you’ve got me feeling dissatisfied that I am not there now.
Paul – hello and welcome to my blog. Yeah, the breakfasts, including the coffee, is so awesome no matter where you get it. It was truly a very relaxing vacation, just what my wife and I wanted. The Cinque Terre was a hit. Those trams that climb the hills look very fun, I want to pilot one.
Needless to say, I am so jealous!!! I always imagine myself being transported to either Greece or Italy when I’m stressed out and need to calm myself down… which is ironic because I’ve never been to either.
I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Cinque Terre. Can’t wait till I get to go on a trip myself 🙂 So where in Italy did you go exactly? Everywhere?
Felisa – we stayed in one city the entire time and it was a very good thing for us. We felt like we were part of the city, Santa Margherita Ligure. It’s located on the Italian Riveria near Genoa, about 30 minutes east of there.
It really is tranquil in those parts. The people were so kind and the food was consistently impressive. I loved swimming in the Ligurian/Mediterranean Sea in the nice warm water. There’s something to be said for floating on your back while staring up at surrounding Italian countryside.
That part about the yacht? Yeah, I get that.
Looking forward to hear more. I can’t wait until I get to go!
Lesley – yacht or not, Italy was amazing. It was all we could have asked for spending a week abroad away from our girl.
I love the new place! WordPress is a great site for so many things!
And what a great trip! I’m mad jealous about the daily gelato eating.
A – I’ve been pleasantly surprised with WordPress and it’s very affordable. I can’t think of a single thing I miss from the TypePad platform. The trip truly was remarkable and the gelato never ever gets old. I can’t believe a month has already passed since the end of our vacation.