Hi everybody,
I realize that this is shameless self-promotion, but I know there are a lot of Italophiles on this site and so I figure I'd post it anyway.

I entered Anthony Bourdain's FAN-atic special contest. If you win, you take your proposed trip with Anthony Bourdain himself. I proposed a trip to Naples because I don't want it to be forgotten because of the recent problems it has had.

If you like Anthony Bourdain and you want to see him go to Italy for an episode, go check it out. I've been notified by the Travel Channel that I am in the top 20, but I'm sure more views and votes wouldn't hurt. (Viewing is no commitment; voting requires registration and then clicking on the stars below the video.)

Anyway, thanks for your time. Here is the link:
http://yourtrip.travelchannel.com/cl...D7D2F7B614C537

I just watched and LOVED your presentation!(As a retired middle school teacher, I loved your visuals!) Need to go back and register and vote. I would dearly love to watch you and Tony go to Napoli. One suggestion: many people log on at work so i suggest you make sure this gets topped and/or re-posted often on MOnday! Good luck!

Thanks so much for viewing! I really appreciate it.

You're good, amazingly good. Tony would be a fool not to pick you. And Naples seems ready made for him. I can't wait to see the episode.

Congrats nnolen-- great video. "That's my dog" made me laugh.

I hope you make it! I'd love to see that show---I went to Naples solo a few years back and I have to say that my experience was less than stellar mostly because I went there clueless as to all of the best places to see. I checked into a 1/2 star hotel that I only found out later was sandwiched between two brothels near the train station. Interesting times...

Do you teach Italian?

Nope, I teach English as a Second Language to middle school students. My college major was Italian, though.

The description of the hotel near the train station is great - that's sort of what a good portion of that area is like, but I still love it!

Thanks for the comments.

I hope you win! Let us know if you do. Your dog made laugh too.

Count me in for smashing stingrays!! That was fabulous... best of luck to you!

Loved your video! And voted for you too! Keeping my fingers crossed that I get to see you and Tony in Napoli!

Nice work, Nicole!! You can prove that we Wisconites can be thin and cute, and show the world the right pronunciation of "brat". Can I come, too?

Eccellente! You've got my vote! I think Anthony would be ucky to have you take him to Napoli.

SusanSDG-
Thin? You just made my day!!

Thanks again everybody. I think the Fodorites have helped my ratings.
-Nicole

Nicole, you are adorable and have my vote as well.

I mostly agree with Grassshopper but I think Anthony would feel more lucky than ucky to have you take him to Napoli.

If your dog wasn't a prop it was a great addition.

Good luck!

oops, I meant lucky!

Loved it! I am also an ESL teacher (college level) and so also appreciated those clear, low-tech visual aids. I'm voting for you; you would be so much fun to travel with.

Had to laugh at the Vesuvius/safety comment...but don't forget Anthony's show where he wheezed his way to the top of some mountain somewhere. Be gentle with him!

Fabulous job. You have to win.

Yipper

Loved it too, but I registered so I could vote and can't figure out how to cast a vote. Any help out there?

Hi tuscan,
To vote, you just click on the stars under the video. Thanks so much for even looking!

Actually, the low-tech visual aids have nothing to do with my ESL background - I just really can't draw!!

And the dog was not a prop, she just has extremely inappropriate timing.

-nicole

Nicole: don't they all?

I hope you win!

TTT for Nicole.

I was actually kidding about the dog prop but he/she added to the video. I loved your visual aids as well.

Best of luck to you!