Since there is no internet in Montalto, not even in Badalucco, we had to head down to Arma di Taggia to see if we could connect up so I could update some work on clients’ sites. Easier said than done. It must be a market day there, as there was quite a good general non-food market spread along the centre. Nothing we were interested in, but we did find the information place where we stocked up on maps and found where internet cafes are located. At the first one, I paid an exhorbitant 6€ for an hour’s wireless, but the system here is so paranoid and bolted down that I couldn’t VPN out. The authorities have decided that the internet, and wireless in particular, are mortally dangerous, and you have to provide ID before you can use it. Also, it is almost impossible to use your own computer, they insist you use theirs which is fine unless you have stuff on yours!
So in the absence of a decent connection I decided I would have to buy a USB wireless key and connect via the phone system. Again easier said than done. We did manage to find a place that had Vodafone keys, but the guy to talk to wasn’t in until after siesta (religiously observed here) and we’d have to wait until 4pm. So wait we did. After a good bit of exploring the quite pleasant town, and very pleasant beachfront, we did find the right guy, and got a stick, and got it connected more or less. To get a decent amount of traffic I had to pay extra, and you have to wait 1 or 2 hours, or a day or whatever until Vodafone Italy decides to send you a text to say it has gone through. No connection after an hour, so we headed to the beach!
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| Classic Fiat 500 Abarth |
