Now we're cookin' with gas.

Proof that we're alive and well, despite minimal contact

It's like Christmas in Italy -- Even though it's 90 degrees and we had to pay the postman 127 euro (178 USD) in cash upon arrival. Don't ask us why. And even though the package had been paid for in the states, Italy imposes a surprise handling tax and demands cash before they'll release it to you.

Even better, the postman didn't speak English so we had to translate the forms using our dictionary at the doorstep while trying to figure out why we were being asked to hand over the precious money we've been pinching.

But in the end, we wanted the computer, so we emptied our wallets (literally) and signed the package. And it's maybe for the better that he didn't speak english because as I handed him the wad of cash that will probably pay for his nasty cigarettes, I couldn't help but tell him in English "This is f**cking ridiculous. Grazie."

Always be polite.