Steerpike: Keep dreaming about Svalbard. Everyone needs a dream. Me, I don't deal well with nightmares. [Image Can Not Be Found]

Spike: No fair pulling rank! I'm making no promises about pix here as I'm not sure about getting to an internet cafe and I've not been able to post from my phone. Steerpike needs to fix that. (Then maybe I'll entertain the thought  of going to Svalbard. That doesn't mean I'm going, but I'll entertain the thought... with tea & cookies.)

Steerpike: [Image Can Not Be Found]

I actually packed something last night!... okay, it's not in the suitcase, but it's in a bag that goes into my suitcase. Baby steps.

I'm taking my phone, kindle, DS and camera. Only the camera has actual backup rechargeable batteries. The kindle was just charged so it will last the entire month. Both phone and DS require AC, so I'm taking their chargers. If either of them blow up, I'm SOL regardless of whether or not I'm in the US or Europe. I like to live dangerously. [Image Can Not Be Found]

Someone just mentioned I should have a Will. [Image Can Not Be Found]

I'm trying to decide if I should get my life-time supply of radiation by going through the reveal-o-matic or submit to the more intimate "I'm a sexual predator masquerading as airport security" pat-down.

I'm back! Sort of. Posting from the Hilton in NYC. We fly home tomorrow morning at the freakin' butt-crack o' dawn.

Sorry for the lack of updates. We discovered that wi-fi in Italy came at a premium: first hotel in Montecatini Terme was 2 Euros for an hour (pretty good, but you had to use the hour all at one time, no logging off then back on); the hotel in Florence allowed you to use the hour whenever but it was 10 Euros for an hour. The hotel in Rome gave us 15 minutes for free. You could use the computer in their conference center but the price was outrageous and you had to find someone to open the room. And then there's the issue of Tap not allowing me to post from my phone. (fix that will ya?)

JB brought his laptop but his voltage convertor was for a two-prong plug and the power brick needed 3 prongs. He found one in Florence then promptly tripped the breakers in their hotel room and discovered that the convertor didn't work anyway. Returned and replaced it with another one which worked for two hours then burned itself out. Our conclusion was that the laptop was drawing more power than all of Italy is wired for. When we got to Rome, we found that the bathroom had an American 120v plug for electric shavers but refused to power up the laptop. We gave up using the laptop about that time and just updated Facebook and/or Twitter.

Tuscany was gorgeous! I've seen more art in the last 8 days than I have in all the years I've lived in SF. The David was simply incredible. I wish we'd had more time in the Uffizi in Florence - hell, I wish we'd spent more *shopping* time in Florence! Bought buttery soft leather handbags (2) and gloves, Murano glass earrings, 3 wool/cashmere Pashminas and assorted candies. Took the catamaran to Capri and tried every lemon product they produce (including limoncello). We ate gelato everyday (sometimes several times a day). Each morning began with a fantastico capuccino. I can't go back to American capuccinos as they're just not the same. How will I start the day?! How will I even contemplate American pizza unless I make my own?!

Once I get home, I'll upload my pix and post a linky. Now I gotta stay up to stave off jet lag.