A real blog post and the best Gelateria in Italy

Well, it's 9pm day 3. We are all getting settled. I just plugged in my laptop and it didn't explode (no matter how much I want it to so I can get my Dell *sigh*). Everything seems to be going well besides the heat wave that has struck the area. We are currently experiencing temps in the 90's. It is supposed to be going higher this weekend and then dropping. We have had 2 days of safety and living lectures, but I don't plan on getting ripped off. Take a look at the lock on my door:

It also locks the top and the bottom.

Petty theft is an issue in Italy. Pick pocketing and break ins are a major issue. The Italians see it as paying a poor tax and move on about their business. However, there is little danger of violence, mainly from the illegals (who also try to sell fake D&G belts, bags, etc which will get you in as much trouble for buying them). Also, there are beggars all over the place, some of which are Gypsies who will rip you off without your ever knowing it.

This is the best Gelateria in all of Italy:

And they are directly across the street (I took the pic from our front window) and are super nice. They even put up with our bad "EnglItalian" and complete misunderstanding of numbers. For €1.5 to €2 (or more if you want more) you can get a small cup or cone of awesome Gelato. If you are in Florence, go there.

Oh, and here is a detail from a fresco we saw today:

Pix

That's all you get for now. :-P

Itinerary

I have added a link to my itinerary over on the right side. Give it a click there or here: (https://share.acrobat.com/adc/document.do?docid=49a79601-863a-470b-8b62-f5502b3ae546) It uses the new Acrobat.com from Adobe for sharing. Oh how I love Adobe. :-)

Stupid Dell

Soooooooooooooo my laptop has been delayed AGAIN. The new ship date is the 27th with a delivery date of the 30th. That means I will be taking my junky Acer. Dell was more than happy to cancel my order which makes me wonder if they really want to sell computers. The issue they are having is a lack of batteries. I asked if I could switch out the battery and all they did was adjust the shipping speed. I still would like to get the laptop, but there is no way I am going to try now. I definatly will work with them to get at least the same deal I had this time and try to get an additional discount if possible.

*sigh*

More uninteresting laptop whining

Soooo the sound on the Acer sucks (it it all Acers or am I just unlucky) and as it turns out my HP seems to be feeling better. But I didn't make the revelation about my HP until after I bought a new $1500 Dell. So scratch HP and Acer off the list of stuff below in my "shameless attempt" posting and write in Dell. My parents have agreed to buy my HP if it really is fixed (my dad is stress testing it now) and a friend of a friend's dad is looking for an Acer (for whatever reason, I don't know). So, my HP should be mostly paid off soon and I can start paying off the Acer (I still owe my friend some money for it) and then I can start making payments on my Dell which won't even arrive for another 2-3 weeks. On the bright side it has a 4 year warranty that includes accidental damage as well as loss and theft in addition to a 4 year lojack subscription. Oh yeah, and it has a Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz processor, 4GB or ram, a 7200 RPM 120GB hard drive, a fingerprint reader, a 15.4" glossy high resolution widescreen, and much more. *drool* If I remember correctly, I think I am supposed to get a laptop bag and some other stuff free. But I can't find it anywhere on the manifest. I'm not sure if I misread something or saw it on another model I also put together on their website or if I hallucinated it. But either way I won't be disappointed in any way if I don't get that stuff. This is the first really nice laptop I have purchased that wasn't used or on the clearance table.

______________________________
Update: It was HP's artist series of laptops that include the free messenger bag. But Dell, if you happen to see this post and accidently toss one in the box, I won't complain. ;-)

Laptop Woes

Soooooo... My HP laptop is starting to die. It has decided to start powering down in a violent way at random intervals, so I bought a second hand Acer from a friend. It's ok, but the speakers suck. But he sold it to me at a discount, so it's all good.

Shameless Attempt to Get Free Stuff From Corporate America :-)

This blog is brought to you and my trip is brought to me by the following companies (i.e. these are the brands of stuff I bought for the trip and/or are providing me services).

Nikon: D80
Adorama.com: Where I bought my Nikon D80
SanDisk: memory cards (and a valuable rebate with purchase)
Tamrac: laptop/camera carrying backpack (which i hope counts as a "personal item" for the airlines)
Amazon.com: Power adapters, Kindle, other stuff
Shook, Hardy & Bacon: Vacation time ;-)
American Express: Travelers Cheques, my awesome Gold Card, and much, much more
Artis: planning the whole thing
Metropolitan Community College (Penn Valley): College Credit
Google/Blogger: the blog you are reading
HP: My laptop (but, it's a little old hint, hint)
Sony: PSP
Skype: phone service for my PSP
Targus: Laptop carrier
Quantaray Pro: cam bag for my D80
Delta: Plane tickets
Moo.com: Minicards to promote my blog

I'm sure there are more that I can't think of... As far as people... I'll thank you in person.