Just cause I'm in wine country...

...doesn't mean I can't enjoy a beer once in a while.

Today I learned an important difference between my homeland and my motherland: Americans put athletes on cereal boxes; Italians put them on beer.


Peroni beer has released collector's edition beer bottles with various scenes of the Azzurri World Cup victory on the label. Mika sells a product that removes and preserves wine/beer labels (look-up 'winememory') and has very generously offered to give me some for these treasures. For now, enjoy the photo! (Note: before you ask, I haven't yet learned if there's a label with Materrazzi running around the pitch in his tighty-whiteys).



And what a way to enjoy a beer - opening it with a talking Boston Red Sox bottle opener. When you use it, it plays the announcer's commentary the moment the Sox won the World Series in 2004, complete with fanfare in the background. Thank you Jackie for that awesome gift! Mika was fascinated and thinks I should sell them in Italy with the World Cup commentary - so maybe if the do-gooder NGO thing doesn't work out....



So hear's to Italian beer - and to drinking responsibly. I have another job interview tomorrow after all:

An International NGO based in Rome is seeking intern with passion for youth and international affairs, strong administrative and written skills, and willingness to learn. The position involves support tasks for a global youth network including contact with members, development of program website, and research on partners and funders. Applicants must be fluent in English, conversational in Italian, and highly competent PC users. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Let's just hope it's a paid internship.