Hi, my name is Kim and I'm an internet junkie.

I apparently signed up for computer rehab and did not know it. I went cold turkey. Ouch. I have no internet connection (and by no internet connection I mean I have to walk 40 minutes to Annie's house to use the internet). Seriously, I had no idea how much time I spent on my computer and cell phone until I got here. For two weeks now, everything that could go wrong with communciation for me, has pretty much well, gone wrong. I've been complaining to Annie and Chris a lot (thank you both for not yelling at me) so I'd like to take my complaints global. I like to outline things. So, here we go:

1) Internet: In Napoli, my family had the internet but it was only upstairs and it was very difficult for us to get on. You see, to get to that room, we had to go through the kitchen. To pass the kitchen was almost impossible. We would get stopped just for passing. There's no passing go, there's no collecting $200. You're stuck talking or eating for awhile. So, anytime we tried to use the internet, well, it just didn't happen. When you did get to the room, sometimes the connection would fail. Plus, we were contstantly going somewhere which allowed little time for emailing. No problem I thought. Once I get to Genova and get settled, I'll be on the computer all the time. Right? I'll catch up then. Not so much.

The apartment I'm staying in has no internet connection. Of course not, that would be too simple. The family I'm working for who lives across the hall has wireless, but it is secured and so I cannot tap into it. Fine. I understand. Please give me the software so that it can securely recognize my computer. They give me the CD. For some stupid reason, my computer cannot translate Italian CDs into English. Therfore, my computer doesn't understand which folders to store the software in. Next possible solution: They have a wireless key here, which is basically a USB port that carries wireless. I had never heard of such a thing but it exists. However, when I went to the store, they only had the software for XP. Luckily for me, I just bought a new computer, which has Vista. Well, they don't have the software for Vista. To make it all more frustrating, whenever I'm in the computer store, I understand about 6% of what the computer person is telling the person I'm with. The person I'm with then says, ahhhh...okay. Then looks at me and says, let's go. So, I leave still frustrated and having very little understanding of what's going on. The person I'm with cannot translate computer jargon into English. We're all frustrated. All I know right now is that I still do not have the internet. I'm a total addict. I need a hit!

2) Telephone: As you may know by now, Italian phones are all prepaid. There's not a monthly plan for unlimited minutes, etc. We go and add Euros to our phone and we talk until it runs out. Then we add more money. Thankfully it does not cost for incoming calls. So, I sit around waiting for people to call me. Yeah, they don't. Since I don't have the internet, I've been using my phone way too much and spending too much money. The fun part is that I don't know when my phone is going to cut out so it just cuts out in the middle of a conversation. It's a fun game to play.

3) Mail: Annie and I tried to send our first postcards while we were in Napoli. When Nico asked how much the stamps were to send a postcard to the US, we were told 2 Euro and 40. That's ridiculous! For a postcard? No way. I had him ask again. We even pull out a postcard and show it to the woman. Si, 2.40. So, we buy a few very overpriced stamps. When I was in Holland, the stamps were .90 to send a postcard to the US. There's no way you people are getting postcards for 2.40 Euro a pop. Sorry people. It ain't happenin'. We get to Genova and are in a tobacco store (that's where they sell bus tickets, phone cards, etc) and overhear a very nice little old man buying a stamp. He's sending a letter to the US. Texas to be exact. The stamp is .82. For a letter! So, yeah, we got screwed over in Napoli. We both get several euros worth of stamps. Postcards are on the way people.

I really had no idea how much I used the internet and my cell. I guess when you really think about it, it's a bit ridiculous how dependent we've become. The people here don't understand why I feel it's such an emergency. No internet for two weeks? So what! So what is probably right but for now I feel very lost. What's going on with my friends, family, and in the US? I mean, there are questions I need to ask Google and they're getting backed up! I seriously have a list going. Surprisingly, until I find the solution, my heart still beats. Withdrawls and all.

Thanks for letting me complain.

Frustrated,
Kim