Category: Italy

  • The First Time I Felt Blue

    The First Time I Felt Blue

    Blue-CapriThere’s blue, then there’s Capri Blue.

    Seems a bit strange, to admire a color, but until I visited this little island off the Amalfi Coast in Italy, I never knew what blue really looked like. Or felt like. Because Capri Blue is more of a feeling than a hue.

    Capri Blue should be sanctified, because it is so pure and deep and true. It feels miraculous and it feels otherworldly. The azure waters of Capri are celebrated in my mind. The moment I first saw this blue, my eyes feasted, having never known a blue that was so natural, grand, and beautiful. It’s overpowering to be in awe over something as simple as a color – a color I thought I knew. Until I traveled to Capri.

    Blue-Capri-CaveIf you’ve ever indulged in humanity’s great composers, you’ve probably heard a chord or a movement that was so unexpected and different and glorious during your listening experience. It was probably a sound so striking that it moved you. This type of sound to your ears is what this blue did to my eyes. And my heart. Because remember, Capri Blue is a feeling.

    Sure, I bet science could explain something about how the Tyrrhenian Sea’s contents mixed with the reflection of the sun create a certain hue particularly appealing to the retina. But in the presence of the island, I felt the grandeur of the sea, the awe of existence, and if you’re a religious folk, you knew this was a godly creation, this color blue.

    Blue-Capri-LandscapeDuring my “in the moment” post about Capri, I said I’d end my rant that gushed about the color blue. Clearly that didn’t happen. I also wished I could share my photos from my DSLR. So this is me fulfilling my wish and breaking my Capri Blue silence.

    These photos do no justice.

    I never knew I could speak so romantically about a color. (more…)

  • The Priciest Photos I’ve Ever Taken

    The Priciest Photos I’ve Ever Taken

    I’m about to reveal the most expensive photos I’ve ever taken.

    No, I did not hire a photographer for these gems of photos you’re about to see.

    Let me set the scene:

    A balmy May afternoon in Rome – our first day in Italy, my second day in Europe. We just toured the Colosseum, both a bit high from the excitement of our tour. We circled the Colosseum, as we gushed over experiencing this ancient wonder where Gladiators fought during the Roman Empire. Gladiators. Speaking of Gladiators, two ever-so-charming men garbed in Gladiator costumes caught our attention and invited us over.   (more…)

  • Pompeii

    When I was younger I used to love the Magic Tree House book series by Mary Pope Osborne. I think my favorite book of the series was Vaction under the Volcano which was about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius  destroying the city of Pompeii. Visiting this city on Monday was like the scenes from this book becoming a reality.

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  • A sneak peek at Sorrento and Capri

    I didn’t know what blue looked like until today.

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  • The Vatican

    Visiting the Vatican is something that I will never forget in my life. It was one of the moments when I was completely awestruck by the grandeur, history, ancientness, cultural significance, and beauty for hours. It is one of those places that I have heard of, read about, and seen on TV… but to stand in the square in the shadows of the Egyptian obelisk with St. Peters Basilica standing ahead… wow. As Tammy put it so well, this whole trip has been an out-of-body experience.

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