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Italy visit

Grapeshot

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Convince Bloomie to buy his own country via bail out, move there and leave the USA alone.
 

77zach

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Did a boat tour of capri, stopping to swim in various cool places like the blue, green, white grottos. Some some amazing yachts, one with a helicopter on it. Felt like I was in a rapper's MTV music video. Went to Positano and had a $100 dinner. Ate next to some high rollers in the restaurant, saw some seriously silly rich people, Saudi oil/royalty there with men who were carrying concealed.

For the money my aunt paid it is amazing. The accommodations are EMACULATE. A five star place here is MUCH nicer than five star places I've been to in the US.

Overall, I believe the culture here is freer, but the tyranny of the state is in some ways worse than in the US. The disconnect between the people and the statist ruling class may be bigger than in the US. You can buy fireworks that would be illegal in the US. You can drive in a way most nanny staters in the US would consider "reckless driving" (traffic laws exist here but seem to be generally unenforced and disregarded with impunity), and the food ingredients are much better and fresher than in the US across ALL price points. These are the only things I can say with confidence I like better than in the US.

Good break from the police state. In Rome saw a small number of police cars, "Polizia Roma Capitale", little hatchbacks. Outside Rome and other major cities: ZERO.


Oh, and Italian customs... a smile and a nod without looking at my passport. We'll see if I get detained on July 4th. United is saying 1 hour delays in US customs for "enhanced security" reasons. At least the Italians don't have such a hypocritical holiday celebrating faux freedom.
 
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Citizen

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SNIP Some some amazing yachts, one with a helicopter on it.

Years ago, I parked my modest little compact car one empty space beyond a hot new Dodge Viper.

When I came out the store a couple young fellas were standing next to the Viper, admiring. As I approached, the devil persuaded me to ask the young fellas, "So, what do you think of my Viper?" I don't recall their exact words anymore, but they were definitely envious and all "wow" and that sort of thing.

I have a feeling I woulda had that same impulse near those yachts.

:D
 

Grapeshot

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Years ago, I parked my modest little compact car one empty space beyond a hot new Dodge Viper.

When I came out the store a couple young fellas were standing next to the Viper, admiring. As I approached, the devil persuaded me to ask the young fellas, "So, what do you think of my Viper?" I don't recall their exact words anymore, but they were definitely envious and all "wow" and that sort of thing.

I have a feeling I woulda had that same impulse near those yachts.

:D
There is a tendency in some to claim that which is not there's. Sometimes humorous.....sometimes not.

Me? I don't drive a Viper everyday and Italy is not on my schedule this year.
 

Citizen

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SNIP There is a tendency in some to claim that which is not there's...

Agreed. The not-humorous kind are called statists. There's a subset called socialists.

Both are pretty thick on the ground in Italy. Hope none ruin Zach's vacation for him. (steering back to thread topic)
 
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77zach

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The air marshalls on the flight back stick out like a sore thumb. May as well OC, then again most people are completely oblivious.
 

HPmatt

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If the Germans had a do-over the Euro would only be open to countries North of the Alps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Citizen

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If the Germans had a do-over the Euro would only be open to countries North of the Alps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I get what you mean.

Just to expand, I think if the Germans--the people, not the government and central bankers--had a do over, there would be no such thing as a euro. Same for the rest of the people of Europe unfortunate enough to be afflicted.
 
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Citizen

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The air marshalls on the flight back stick out like a sore thumb. May as well OC, then again most people are completely oblivious.

Does this mean you're done and headed home? Or, just on your way to the next vacation locale? :)
 
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77zach

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Does this mean you're done and headed home? Or, just on your way to the next vacation locale? :)
This homebody is done. Just flew into Dulles and customs was surprisingly painless, although not as good as Italy's. Will stay in Virginia for a few days with family then head back home to Florida.

Seen more cops in 10 minutes than 2 weeks in Italy

Next year is Indonesia.
 
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solus

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This homebody is done. Just flew into Dulles and customs was surprisingly painless, although not as good as Italy's. Will stay in Virginia for a few days with family then head back home to Florida.

Seen more cops in 10 minutes than 2 weeks in Italy

Next year is Indonesia.

go to South Africa instead and do the Kruger national park http://www.krugerpark.co.za/

ipse
 

HPmatt

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My how things change.
Some posters are silent now.

Was in Italy over Thanksgiving and they were serious about only 40 people at a time in the tower of Pisa...Pisa 1.JPGPisa 2.JPG
 

solus

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Aug 22, 2013
Messages
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here nc
My how things change.
Some posters are silent now.

[fotos snipped]

Was in Italy over Thanksgiving and they were serious about only 40 people at a time in the tower of Pisa...

HPmatt, those kind folk are guarding the historical site not enforcing admission rules...:giggle:
 
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