This entry is officially brought to you by my parents' computer, which is only dial-up enabled. Bleh.

I drove to the parentals' place this afternoon. It was good seeing them; they got back from their tour of Italy and Finland two weeks ago and had all sorts of interesting stories to tell.

The overall travel plan for them was Florence, Italy -> Helsinki, Finland -> Estonia. While in Florence, my parents sampled the fine crafts (leather in particular for my mom) and also some time in the yet unspoiled Tuscan countryside. In fact, an acquanitance/colleague of my father invited my father over to his 11th century farmhouse. Supposedly, the road the runs by his farm was built during Roman times. Very cool.

In Helsinki, my parents were able to catch an opera festival that was staged in castle in the northern part of Finland. Evidently, that area is heavily forrested & just filled with lakes. In fact, the castle itself occupied an island in the middle of one and is only connected by a drawbridge.

While in Helsinki, my parents were able to hop over to Estonia, which is actually rather close. Being another former Soviet sphere nation, the city they visited had the same problems as Budapest - one side undeveloped & lovely, the other wretchedly ugly with decaying buildings, etc.

In any case, I'm rather envious of them. Really envious. However, they did buy me this very slick Sagaform cheese knife. Can you tell I like consolation prizes?

Also on this trip, I played delivery boy: dropped off 2 boxes of wine & my old tv (still has the Longpigs sticker on it!). Hopefully this'll be the last large delivery in a while.