Since I've started this blog, I've had a few people ask why I've started it, who's it for, and what I hope to achieve etc., so here's five of 'those kinds of questions' along with my answers. Feel free to add your stories/reasons in the comments section or to repeat this yourself on your blog.
1. Why did you start a blog?
Well, as an excuse to learn more about Italy really. I've traveled quite a bit around Italy, done all the major cities and sights, but I realized I hadn't even scratched the surface. I'd been the typical tourist. With my 'in' into Italian culture (thanks to my wife and her family), I've got a unique opportunity to get under the skin of Italy, or at least the area of Italy where she's from (Northern Lazio). I'm enjoying my journey, and I'm learning so much about so many different aspects of Italian life. However, it's not easy to keep working on it, to keep pushing to discover new places, mannerisms etc., so I started this blog to give me a focus, to give me an excuse to take off towards a pin in a map, and to force me out of my comfort zone.
2. Do you live in Italy?
No. I live and work in the UK. We do own an apartment in Sant'Oreste and have friends and family in Sant'Oreste, Civita Castellana and the surrounding areas, but no, not yet ;-)
3. Can you speak Italian?
Kind of ;-) I've had no official training other than a few night school classes. I can understand most everyday conversations (it helps that none of my wife's family speak English!), but still struggle to formulate a response quickly enough mid-chat (especially if its something other than a one or at maximum two sentence reply!) It all depends on the topic of conversation. Some things still pass me by completely. My wife's family all speak various dialects (Sant'Oreste even has it's own language!), which does complicate things somewhat, but has the added value of teaching me at least three different ways of saying 'andiamo' (namo, gnamo, namio)
4. Do you plan to make a lot of money with this blog?
No, not at all! This blog is informational, not financial. If I cover costs, then cool, but I want to inform people and pique their interest about Lazio, rather than generate enough money to buy the Palazzo Farnese. I also write articles for other blogs, so contact me if you'd like to help me spread the word about Lazio!
5. Why Lazio?
What I'm exploring is truly beautiful. Lazio is a nice place! Northern Lazio is really stunning, with striking landscapes and beautiful towns almost everywhere you look. I may be a travel romantic (I seem to be able to find beauty in every street I walk down), but I think Northern Lazio is a great place to visit. I don't want it to turn into Chiantishire or anything like that, but I think it's worth visiting, worth exploring, and I think that, done right, its a lovely area to spend a few weeks traveling around. Hence, if I can show just a few people it's worth the trip, then I'll consider this blog a success!
