First off did you miss me?  Did you even notice I wasn’t in town?  With the advent of technology it is much simpler to stay connected.  Of course Lisa was in the office and she and I touched based by phone daily. Other than the “rock mountain” off Capri interfering with the ship’s Internet satellite, it was easy to be in touch.  I checked email one – two times a day, read lockboxes, emailed showing agents for their feedback of my listings and basically keeping on top of day to day activities.

I departed for Italy on July 22nd and retuned the evening of the 2^nd.  We spent several days in Capri, a day in Positano, a day in Ischia and finished with a day in Rome.  Temperatures were unusually mild for this time of year.

What I noted:

*Not too many years ago, the Italians were fairly consistent with their retail being closed on Sundays and also daily from 1pm to 3pm, but (perhaps due to the economy) I was surprised that most stores remained open on Sunday and also during “siesta”.

*The computer keyboards are different in the U.S, and different in France and Italy. Very confusing, if you are not using your own laptop.  Good luck finding the @ key.

*I continue to find the Italians friendlier and more helpful than the French.

*Purple is a big color in Italy… seems that the Italians typically call the fashion shots, if you are looking for an addition to your wardrobe, I think purple will be the next hot color.

*Can’t stop the real estate…. Looked at Villas and more in Italy (not for me, villas are out of my price range).  Sophia Loren’s former home in the Amalifi Coast is also for sale… didn’t look at that one, as Amalfi is a bit quieter than some of the other Italian resort towns.