by Lori Baltazar
I’ll be gone for the next 12 days, but you’ll hear from me. Here, some ways for us to keep in touch.
I have a tech blogger friend, A, who helps me out a lot with Dessert Comes First. When he finds out that I’m headed to Italy, he asks, “You will still be blogging while you’re away, won’t you?”
Feeling rather sheepish all of a sudden, I reply quite defensively, “Er, no, I’m not keen on blogging while traveling.”
“But you can blog using your phone, can’t you?” He shoots back. “Your phone is a smartphone, isn’t it?” Suddenly his questions are flying fast and hard.
A month ago, I’m not sure I even know what a smartphone is but I’m made to see very quickly thanks to my friend A, and DCF’s webmaster, OB, that no, my current phone is most definitely not a smartphone and that yes, I should continue blogging while I’m traveling. Long story short, A loans me one of his iPhones and even downloads an app that enables me to blog while on the move. I’ve been practicing with both the phone and the app for over six weeks now and I think I’ve got the hang of it.
So, let’s see.
I’ll admit to some apprehension, yes I will. Traveling is a form of “digital detox” for me – I mean really, I don’t want to deal with looking for Wi-Fi while moving about – I’m too busy absorbing … and EATING! But because I’m in “dire need of ‘tech-ing up,’” as A and OB put it, I’ve got to give it a shot. Plus, I like challenging myself and while I’ll never admit it to A, I’ve fallen in love with his iPhone and am considering never returning it to him. Heehee.
While in Italy, I’m going to do my very best to do a short photo post on DCF as often as I can. I also encourage you to follow me on Instagram if you’ve got a smartphone or an iPhone because I’ve become quite active there and sharing my Italy photos will be easy and fast with it. I love Twitter too for the mini conversations I get to have with people, and then of course, there’s the DCF page on Facebook.
In Italy, I’ll be in Milan hunting down the best cappuccino of my life and trying to fit in some handbag shopping in between visits to the Duomo. I’ll also be in Ravenna, a province in Emilia-Romagna, a region considered by some to be Italy’s gastronomic heart. I’ll be viewing the city’s beautiful mosaics and tasting some genuine aceto balsamico di Modena and Parmigiano reggiano.
I’m excited to share my photos and words with you even while I’m away! Again, here’s how to track my trip and keep in touch with me, aside from visiting DCF:
- on Instagram: @dessertcomes1st
- Dessert Comes First page on Facebook
- Dessert Comes First on Twitter
- Through email (works for me!)
Regular posting resumes in 2 weeks!
~~lori
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Safe and Happy Travels to you and your loved ones Lori!
Here’s something to send you off on your Italian adventure:
Affogato Nocciola.
The creamiest, most velvety Hazelnut Gelato bathed in a shot of espresso. A study of temperature contrasts at the beginning, the two eventually meld into a smooth, silky blanket whose flavor is reminiscent of browned butter and chocolate.
Taken at exEat restaurant, Gardena, CA with my iPhone 3Gs.
[img]http://dessertcomesfirst.com/useruploads/AffogatoNocciola.jpg[/img]
Oh, Lori, Italy is the country of my dreams. The countryside, especially. Tuscany is on top of my Europe checklist, and now that you’ve mentioned Ravenna being the country’s gastronomic capital, I’m putting that on my list, too.
Looking forward to your posts and I hope I don’t keel over from envy 😛
Buon viaggio, Lori!
Oh Wow! I am very envious.
I’ve dreamed of going to Italy!
Naples… hmm… pizza.
Hmm… ragù bolognese.
Balsamic Vinegar reduction with strawberries. gah.
wow what a trip! you had me at “Italy’s gastronomic heart”. I ate at an establishment in Rome run by a family from that region, serving their hometown’s cuisine, and that was one of the best dinners of my life. and I so love balsamic vinegar, mosaics, handbags and the Duomo (wherever that Duomo may be located in Italy as there are many). Drooling with envy and excited to see your pictures and read your orgasmic descriptions. Safe travels!
Oh, I LOVE Italy and couldn’t be more envious of you!!! And Parmiggiano Reggiano is one of my favorite cheeses, so I think you’re so lucky to be going to Emilia-Romagna! I’m not on Twitter or Instagram (still stubbornly resisting smartphones), but I hope to see your updates on Facebook. Have a wonderful time, Lori!
LORI! Emilia-Romagna is my favorite region in Italy… because of… what else? FOOD. 😉
I have been blessed to visit Italy almost every year for work or studies. I have fallen in love with the Emilia-Romagna region!
Make sure you try “passatelli” pasta, and also the cheese “squacquerone” – which tastes as good as it sounds 😉
Buon viaggio e a presto! Divertiti! 😉