Congrats on the Substack Reads shout-out! I enjoyed your playful metaphors! (“an Italian Cypress, the classic Tuscan tree shaped like a closed umbrella. One we wished we could have opened out to save us.”)
What a place to grow up! It makes sense so many tourists visit I guess. I've heard lots of great things about Sicily too. Will have to get there one day.
This was a great read thank you! I really enjoyed how you portrayed your experiences. The style of writing helps me greatly to learn more on how I can construct my own travel stories and guides!
I have never read a travel essay quite like this before. Humorous, refreshing, and entertaining, the focus isn't where you would expect it to be. Nature lovers take notice! A lesson in human priorities. Thank you!
Jul 16, 2023·edited Jul 16, 2023Liked by Michael Young
Inspiring! I was wondering on our way back that learning to drive on a peaceful highway in the metropolitan area of Illinois does take more efforts compared with that in some other States. Would those additional efforts worthy?
If I only heard those noises for a day or two and go traveling to a next place, say, San Diego to experience something for my interests or researches, I think I would be more of a light mood for the landscape and culture and almost everything else. But, as you could imagine, a nationwide "trend" that has already been bothering a lot of them, and so systematic that hard to imagine what to change to while I'm thinking of making a new book 📙
Your writing is so beautiful. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your work. I look forward to reading more. Thanks for raising my spirits for the entire day with this piece.
I love Italy. I spent time in Milan, and I see why it is one of the fashion capitals in the world. I have not been to Paris, so I can’t comment on which one is better. I also spent time in Sicily (Catania), and hiked part way up Mt. Etna, where they make figurines and etc… from the lava! I brought two small figurines home to the wife that I love and married back in 1978! We were high school sweethearts meeting each other in the fall of 1976.
What a lovely memory. Thanks for sharing, Len. Milan has a very distinctive feel from other cities in Italy I found. And also, what a unique souvenir. Wouldn't be easy to get hold of a lava figurine from Mt Etna!
Congrats on the Substack Reads shout-out! I enjoyed your playful metaphors! (“an Italian Cypress, the classic Tuscan tree shaped like a closed umbrella. One we wished we could have opened out to save us.”)
Thank you, Tara. I really appreciate it! And I'm glad the metaphors are landing ok!
I absolutely love Italy. I was raised in Sicily and its so nice there the weather and environment and food and people, really perfect.
What a place to grow up! It makes sense so many tourists visit I guess. I've heard lots of great things about Sicily too. Will have to get there one day.
This was a great read thank you! I really enjoyed how you portrayed your experiences. The style of writing helps me greatly to learn more on how I can construct my own travel stories and guides!
You're welcome, Brian! And thank you for reading and for the nice comment. Good luck with your own travel stories and guides!
Beautiful piece!
"There's no doubt that throughout our time in Italy the most special, alive moments were felt when we were venturing out beyond what we knew. "
Love this
Oh thank you, Alicia! I really appreciate it.
I have never read a travel essay quite like this before. Humorous, refreshing, and entertaining, the focus isn't where you would expect it to be. Nature lovers take notice! A lesson in human priorities. Thank you!
Thank you so much for kind words, Don! I really appreciate it and thanks for reading.
My favourite place and you took me right back there, thank you, gorgeous writing ❤️
Oh thank you so much, Juliet. I'm so glad it matched up with your experience there as well. There's a reason so many people visit I guess!
Inspiring! I was wondering on our way back that learning to drive on a peaceful highway in the metropolitan area of Illinois does take more efforts compared with that in some other States. Would those additional efforts worthy?
If I only heard those noises for a day or two and go traveling to a next place, say, San Diego to experience something for my interests or researches, I think I would be more of a light mood for the landscape and culture and almost everything else. But, as you could imagine, a nationwide "trend" that has already been bothering a lot of them, and so systematic that hard to imagine what to change to while I'm thinking of making a new book 📙
Thanks, Lisa! Glad to hear you got something out of it.
Surely should have all the dedications in heart
Your writing is so beautiful. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your work. I look forward to reading more. Thanks for raising my spirits for the entire day with this piece.
Wow thank you so much for the lovely comment, WB :) Really glad you enjoyed it and that it was able to provide a mood boost.
I love Italy. I spent time in Milan, and I see why it is one of the fashion capitals in the world. I have not been to Paris, so I can’t comment on which one is better. I also spent time in Sicily (Catania), and hiked part way up Mt. Etna, where they make figurines and etc… from the lava! I brought two small figurines home to the wife that I love and married back in 1978! We were high school sweethearts meeting each other in the fall of 1976.
What a lovely memory. Thanks for sharing, Len. Milan has a very distinctive feel from other cities in Italy I found. And also, what a unique souvenir. Wouldn't be easy to get hold of a lava figurine from Mt Etna!
You forgot to picture Sardinia in the drawing of your.
That's true! I'm going to say it was an artistic choice just so I could demonstrate where Tuscany was located on the mainland :)