Mee-Lan-O

Just a letter from me. From a Best Western in Milano (ME-lan-O) which I think is really the Detroit of Italy. The Detroit that sits just at the base of the Alps in a massive valley that is so flat I think am are in Iowa.

I watch Miami Vice, dubbed in Italian. If you thought Don Johnson was silly when he was speaking English, he is ridiculous as an Italian. The Cuban drug dealers do ok though.

I have been travelling quite a bit through Europe, on business though.I have been to London, Munich, Dublin, Lyon (in France), and am headed for Madrid. Just quick stopovers for a few nights, just long enough to need cash, so I end up dragging home real annoying change.

I remember when I was a kid and my grandparents would give us change from foreign countries. I think I still have some from their trip to New Zealand. I always thought that right before they jumped on the plane that they cashed out extra money just so they could bring back great souvenirs for all the grand kids. That they tried real hard to make sure they collected the odd assortment of little coins with holes, zigzag edges, and varying sizes and colors.

I liked the coins better than any of the stuffed little animals, T-shirts, or candy. Yes, better than even the candy.

Now I know different. Now I wish I had little grand kids who would be so excited to take all these coins, with the most gracious look, while I stand there laughing because I didn't even have to buy them anything.