Mark is married to Jo and is a 23 year old youth and schools worker based in South Cave (near Hull). Mark spent 4 years as a youth worker in Peterborough whilst studying for a degree in youth work & ministry with Oasis.
It’s well over a month since Jo and myself returned from Italy and our epic journey driving across Europe and all my intentions of doing several Italy posts seemed to fade in the midst of moving house and spending time without internet but finally I’m getting around to it!
Although I’ve not done masses of travelling abroad I think it’s easy to find yourself a Britain away from Britain in a typically Peter Kay style book it, pack it and leave holiday however to many extents I think it’s sad that we feel the need to create a Britain away from Britain. One of the most exciting things about being in an uncomercialised part of Italy (and indeed driving through so many countries on the way) was that you begin to get a feel for the culture, you see what a typical Italian village is like, you see the sorts of shops they have and the lifestyle of the people.
The Italians seem to have this fantastic idea of family values, every afternoon from about half 12 until 4 the shops close and traditionally they have a family meal and family time…there seems to be this real sense of family before work which is fantastic and something I wish Britain had.
The contrast to this lifestyle was when we visited Florence and Assisi, both of which are far more commercial and with very different priorities, the shops stayed open and a lot was in English not to mention miles of stereotypical tourist junk with shops reminding me of Regent Street (aka tacky street) in Great Yarmouth.
All that aside though as a whole Italy is a stunning country, there’s some fantastic views, miles of open countryside and some brilliant places to visit. They have a public transport system that runs on time and everyone seems far more relaxed, family orientated and friendly… not to mention the wine is very cheap!
As I previously blogged driving somewhere really does open your eyes, you see much more through your car driving across a country than you do flying into a commercial airport and staying in a British hotel and it gives you ideas of other places to visit… not to mention it makes an exciting road trip to tell people about!
