Skype anyone???

Must not have had any luck with the internet. Off to bed for Part 2 of a good night's sleep!

Must not have had any luck with the internet. Off to bed for Part 2 of a good night's sleep!

She was a little late:clap_1: :clap_1:, but enjoyed the chat. Off to bed for sure!

How cool!!! :clap_1:

How cool!!! :clap_1:

Yes, it does not take much to make me happy. :funn: A good conversation with my child makes my day! I am amazed at the technology that allows families apart to stay connected.

My parents have been in Italy for the last two months and won't be home for another two weeks still, so I know what you mean about missing those you love, and the *&(#/ time difference! My mother discovered Skype and she said it's absolutely wonderful and cheap, too (always a good thing on a trip!). Another thing she told me is that--at least in Italy, can't say about elsewhere--but it's not as easy as it used to be to pop into a corner internet shop and send e-mails home. There are new anti-terrorism laws in effect and your passport must be copied before you are allowed to use a computer. If you're out on a walk and you don't have your passport, you're out of luck.

My parents have been in Italy for the last two months and won't be home for another two weeks still, so I know what you mean about missing those you love, and the *&(#/ time difference! My mother discovered Skype and she said it's absolutely wonderful and cheap, too (always a good thing on a trip!). Another thing she told me is that--at least in Italy, can't say about elsewhere--but it's not as easy as it used to be to pop into a corner internet shop and send e-mails home. There are new anti-terrorism laws in effect and your passport must be copied before you are allowed to use a computer. If you're out on a walk and you don't have your passport, you're out of luck.

You are right about the difficulty of finding internet. The group has wirless on their computers, so they walk around until they find a signal. At the moment she can get access on the rooftop of the hotel. I have mixed feelings about that, but that is about the only way to hear from her. That is the reason why I got up at 11:30 to chat. Today will be a long day!

Glad your parents are in good health and able to enjoy Italy.:clap_1: :clap_1: Skype is free if both parties have a computer.

You are right about the difficulty of finding internet. The group has wirless on their computers, so they walk around until they find a signal. At the moment she can get access on the rooftop of the hotel. I have mixed feelings about that, but that is about the only way to hear from her. That is the reason why I got up at 11:30 to chat. Today will be a long day!

Glad your parents are in good health and able to enjoy Italy.:clap_1: :clap_1: Skype is free if both parties have a computer.

I hope your daughter brings you home lots of photographs! There's nothing like Italy in the springtime. IWIWT, my parents are in their mid-70s now, but they already have plans to be back in Italy when my daughter (who will be a college freshman next year) takes her semester abroad. Yes, you heard right. Said daughter has already announced these are FIRM plans and god help and defend anyone who says otherwise. I needn't say that my parents are her biggest cheerleaders.

I hope your daughter brings you home lots of photographs! There's nothing like Italy in the springtime. IWIWT, my parents are in their mid-70s now, but they already have plans to be back in Italy when my daughter (who will be a college freshman next year) takes her semester abroad. Yes, you heard right. Said daughter has already announced these are FIRM plans and god help and defend anyone who says otherwise. I needn't say that my parents are her biggest cheerleaders.

Good her your gull!!! :clap_1: It is one of the best things my daughter has done. Just think, you get to visit as well....a win-win situation!;-)

My parents have been in Italy for the last two months and won't be home for another two weeks still, so I know what you mean about missing those you love, and the *&(#/ time difference! My mother discovered Skype and she said it's absolutely wonderful and cheap, too (always a good thing on a trip!). Another thing she told me is that--at least in Italy, can't say about elsewhere--but it's not as easy as it used to be to pop into a corner internet shop and send e-mails home. There are new anti-terrorism laws in effect and your passport must be copied before you are allowed to use a computer. If you're out on a walk and you don't have your passport, you're out of luck.

In my experience, needing your passport for virtually anything is largely an Italy thing. Whenever you check into a hotel they must have it to photocopy and then return it to you. Their officials check out all foreign nationals.

Be sure to tell your parents NOT to buy any replica designer bags or shoes there! Italy has been severely cracking down on this in the past few years and will stop and randomly check people for such items especially at airports. Gucci among other Italian brands have been complaining because they were losing a lot of branding protection due to this.

If caught, I believe the fine is $2,000 per item! My girlfriend was questioned at length over her A&F shirt she was wearing because she is Spanish. I was with her and had to explain she bought it with me in the States.

In my experience, needing your passport for virtually anything is largely an Italy thing. Whenever you check into a hotel they must have it to photocopy and then return it to you. Their officials check out all foreign nationals.

Be sure to tell your parents NOT to buy any replica designer bags or shoes there! Italy has been severely cracking down on this in the past few years and will stop and randomly check people for such items especially at airports. Gucci among other Italian brands have been complaining because they were losing a lot of branding protection due to this.

If caught, I believe the fine is $2,000 per item! My girlfriend was questioned at length over her A&F shirt she was wearing because she is Spanish. I was with her and had to explain she bought it with me in the States.

Thank you for the good words of advice. It's not my parents I'll repeat it to, however, but my daughter. She went wild on the streets of Florence haggling with the vendors. Fortunately she's not into knockoffs (unless we're talking Coach :roll: ) but it's an important thing to drum into kids that you don't mess with fako labels in foreign countries.