It’s been a while since I’ve boarded my dusty desert time machine. I figure we can all use a summer holiday escape. Away from daily reports of emerging COVID-19 hot spots, social unrest, and the grind of our shrunken stay-at-home lives.
Join me as I travel back nine years to late July 2011. When our resourceful guide and friend Yvette (a Canadian living in Tunisia), led six men (five Americans and one Canadian) on an eleven-day, Outgoing Adventures tour of Italy.
It was my first European odyssey. Six years before our 2017 Ireland immersion. Eight before Tom and I made a delicious 2019 dash through Germany and Austria.
There will always be a special place in my heart for Italy. The architecture, ancient history, hum and handsome men of Rome. The mystery and magic of Siena.
The countrysides and cooking of Tuscany. The alleys and alabaster of Volterra. The cliffs and colors of Cinque Terra. The style and silk of Florence.
Most of all, the enduring exuberance of the Italian people we met all along the way … lovers of art, pasta, wine, afternoon strolls and evening gelato.
Consider this my tribute to beloved Italy. A splendid sampler of nine representative images I captured that–nine years later–continue to feed my creative consciousness, spirit of adventure, and wonder about a nameless Florentine boy with a blue umbrella who followed his mother’s red shoes.
Mark Johnson Stories 
Enjoyed both the wonderful photos and commentary re Italy memories. Thanks. Carol
On Fri, Jul 24, 2020 at 4:08 AM Mark Johnson Stories wrote:
> Mark Johnson posted: ” It’s been a while since I’ve boarded my dusty > desert time machine. I figure we can all use a summer holiday escape. Away > from daily reports of emerging COVID-19 hot spots, social unrest, and the > grind of our shrunken stay-at-home lives. Join me as I tr” >
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Thank you, Carol. Glad you enjoyed them.
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Yes, you are right, Mark, we could all use a summer holiday, it’s one of the things most of the people look forward to and we are no different. While I can happily make sacrifices, not seeing my family and friends that live in Latvia, is very hard as it’s been nearly a year!
I loved reading about your European adventures, and I’m glad you had a memorable time. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 😀 Aiva
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Thank you, Aiva. I’m sure you are missing your family. It’s been a difficult year all around the world.
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You captured the time beautifully, Mark. Such a well-written piece…not a word is wasted.
Italy is filled with stories, just like your album of photos.
I hope we get more!
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I think we will, Tom. Writing this piece gave me hope for new adventures … some day.
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