Trip planning and fun with Google Earth

I have started to plan our September trip to Italy. I always find the initial stages of trip planning to be a little daunting and over- whelming. How can one possibly begin to narrow down which cities to visit, let alone figure out which hotels will be the most accomodating and perfect? I am also always on the lookout for remote places and unique opportunties that most tourists don't partake of, so that I can practice my Italian. For our 2006 trip we have decided to visit the Amalfi coast. Okay, not so remote and not so deserted; we fully expect to bump into lots of straggling tourists despite our intention of traveling in late September. We have never been south of Rome and have always wanted to visit Napoli, Sorrento, Pompei and Positano. So, Almafi Coast, it is this time!

Now, inorder to put together a workable itinerary, and figure out how to go about this trip, I have spent the last two days combing the internet researching places to stay and making inquieries of hotel owners and of seasoned travellers who have left their comments on various trip advisory sites. My ideas are rapidly coming together and I have decided to forgo a stay in Napoli and move directly to Praiano where I think we will set up camp for the entire week after training it down from Rome. From Praiano we can easily make day trips to Pompei, Capri and Positano. Well, at least as of today this is my plan. I may read something later on on the web or hear something from a friend that might get me exited about another town...but, this is the fun of trip planning. At the beginning there are so many possibities before us. Perhaps this time, instead of renting a car, we will rent scooters to more easily reach local destinations and hot spots. Perhaps we will dance at the night club in Praiano situated in a big cave just above the sea, where the big dance floor is covered with plates of glass and the underlying sea is seen along with the stalagmites that are illuminated with iridescent reflections. How fun would that be!

I am intrigued by all the beautiful photos I am finding on the web of my ultimate destination. But, this time round, I have added a new tool to help make the trip seem more real and really come alive. My brother called the other day to tell me about the new Google Earth now available for the Mac. I have been using it to zoom in on Italy and visit Praiano, Pompei, Napoli and the entire Amalfi coast to fully envision where we are going to be in the fall. I love this program! It simulates topography and cities so well that you feel as if you were literally hovering above the place you have just googled. Simply amazing. I wish I could telaport myself as easily to these destinations as I can sitting here at my keyboard.

Now I am starting to feel the excitement coursing through my veins and I just can't wait to hop a plane and be there! I am definitely past the first indecisive phase of trip planning and moving full steam into phase II...booking hotels and making plane reservations.

La bella vita!

Well, if you are wondering where I have gone off to, just wanted to stop by and let you know that I'm still here, just having way too much fun posting on my Italian chat boards these days. I've been chatting away on www.Impariamo.com and lurking around the Italian Word Reference forums enjoying la bella vita! Ciao!

How do you measure satisfaction?

How do you measure satisfaction? Well, I have recently discovered the perfect way.

The other day my vacuum cleaner died. Now, I am not a very avid vacuum cleaner to begin with, but I figured I had better get the thing replaced...you know, just because everyone should have a working vaccum cleaner. So, on a recent shopping expedition to "Bed Bath & Beyond" I picked a new one up. I had bopped over to the mall with the idea of outfitting my son's room with some new curtains and comforter. He has been living with a baby blue gingham patchwork bedspread for years now, and we both kind of realized at the same time that at fifteen he is ready for something a little more hip and happening. Anyway, as we were searching for the duvet covers we came across the vacuum cleaner display. And there is was - the Dyson Animal Vacuum. You must know the Dyson commercials...the ones that feature the English guy who asks "Have you been let down by your vaccum cleaner lately?" and claims to have refined his vacuum after creating 5000 prototypes. Well, anyone who spends that kind of time thinking about a vacuum cleaner has my vote. This machine is supposed to have more suction power than any other machine and is touted as being the best for picking up dog hair and dander. Now I was really sucked in, pun intended, and I bought the thing.

Once home, I set it up, well okay my son set the thing up because I hate to read manuals, and then I started to vacuum. Never in my life have I ever enjoyed vacuuming more. And the best part of the machine, is the clear cartridge where all the dust and junk collect, where you can actually see how effective the machine is being. The cartridge literally fills up instantaneously with dirt, grit and dog hair. Who knew that we lived in so much dust to begin with! I was amazed and yes, in a weird way a little thrilled.

Now, I just vacuum the carpets for the fun of it to see how much crud I can vacuum up. Heck, we all kind of fight over who is going to vacuum the carpets and I have taken to leaving it out in plain sight out instead of putting it away, just because it is a thing of beauty and amazement. Even the dog loves the "Animal" and follows me all over the house when I am vacuuming as if he wants a turn at it. If I don't get anything else done all day, at least I have the satisfaction that I have vacuumed up several canisters of dust out of our carpets. Does life get any better than that? Where else can you measure satisfaction like that?

Oh look! Its a brand new year!

Well, well, well, it's January 11th already and the new year is well underway. It has been a while since posting, that I almost forgot my blog password. You will probably be relieved to know that we are off to a good start and we rang in the new year with plenty of noise and commotion. I made some really great resolutions for this year.... now, if I could just remember what they were... Oh, yeah, to finally make it through the entire box of Crest Whitening strips that I bought sometime in 2005, to be a more kind and patient driver, well and to just be MORE patient with everybody in general, to learn Adobe Photoshop AND to lose five pounds. What did you expect? After eating Panettone, sugar cookies and chocolate throughout the month of December I think it is a good idea. And the best resolution, start planning and preparing for a trip to Italy for September. Now, that is what I call a GREAT resolution. Happy New Year everybody!