Loss for Words??

  So in my last post I mentioned Americans abroad and their behavior.  One that struck me as quite profound, is the 'like' lack of education among the younger generation.

  As my husband and I were walking back to the bus station in Portovenere, we past a group of men, one of the men who was speaking was  twenty-something man from the northern parts of the U.S. - he had the accent, ya know?

  Anyway, he was talking rather loudly (as Americans tend to do), and I swear to you every other second or third word was the word 'like'!

  I was suddenly aware of my generations lack of the vernacular when verbally communicating.  I know that I have been guilty of that in the past, back when I was in my early twenties.  Maybe it's an age thing?!?

  I wanted to turn around and tell him "DUDE!  Use your words!!"  I mean if you are comparing something you could say "The taste was similar to that of a ...."  instead of saying " It was like the taste of like a...."

....do you see what I mean.  My auditory and mental sense felt like they had just been brutally assaulted!  And I felt embarrassed for not just him, but myself and other people my age and especially younger.  It's like we all watched "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" or "Valley Girls" and the movie never stopped playing in our subconscious mind.

Nooby Photographer does Italy....

  So I just got a brand new Canon Rebel XS with a 15-55 mm & 70-300mm lenses.  It's totally a beginners camera, but I love it.  Beautiful shots no matter what!
  Let me just say, I have absolutely NO clue what f/stops, metering and exposure and all that "shop talk" pros use!  I got the camera just in time for my 1 week trip to see my husband in  Italy.  I took 757 photos, not including the ones I deleted because they just came out crappy!

  Out of all those shots there were a handful of really awesome shots, great lighting, composition, etc.  My "eye"  really developed as the week progressed, and of course it's easy to shoot inanimate objects.  I guess that's the learning curve for us noobies - shoot things that don't move!  So here are a few of  my favorites.

 Leaning Tower of Pisa

The chuch and other buildings at Pisa

A cross on the fence in front of a church in La Spezia

The Cross on the top of the church in La Spezia

A Water Fountain & Sculpture in one of the Piazas in La Spezia

I have a thing for doors, light posts, etc.  evidentally I kept shooting them, this is one, that came out exceptionally well, imho

I fell in love with this sculpture in Piazza Europa in La Spezia

This is the same sculptor.  I love the angel stepping on the man's head.

These are their water fountains.  They're so unique...

A little light house at the end of the pier.  I liked how the lamps are lining the way

A water fountain in a memorial park.

This building had some gorgeous reliefs and sculptors all over it.  I loved these empty soldier suits with the evening sun hitting them!

Tunnel Vision

View of flowers with surf crashing on the rocks in the background at Larici Castle in Larici, Italia

Insert theme song from "Titanic" here!  Also from Larici Castle

Hubby took this one.  Not sure why Larici Castle had a statue of a dinosaur, but I decided to kiss him!  He was kinda cute!  ;p

The castle ruins in La Spezia

I liked the way they had the tables set at this cafe

Same table, just zoomed in.

Last, but certainly not least, my wonderful husband, without whom Italy would not have been as wonderful as it was!