Happy Valentine's Day from Italy

So this is a joke...in case you are wondering why I look so mad in my Valentine's Day photo!  Another fine example of life in Italy.  A couple of weeks ago I needed some passport photos for my visa/permesso application (yes...I am still not entirely legal here after 6 months).  I had it all figured out; stop at the bus station on my way to the Questura to file my paperwork and get some photos from the photo booth that Kristen used to get her passport photos.  Easy right?  Well...

First, the photo booth was not there.  After using my terrible Italian to find the missing photo booth I found out it had been moved to the train station.  No problem, it's around the corner.  Go there to get my photos and find out it costs 4 euros instead of 2, but luckily I had brought extra change...I had 6 euros in coins with me thinking I'd get 3 chances to take my photos (thinking ahead that there would probably be some glitch...getting used to doing this now).  OK, here's the funny part...

I put in my 4 euros and sit for my picture, making sure not to smile because you're not supposed to smile for passport photos apparently.  I press the "instructions in English" button, and the photo snaps.  Hmmm....not what I was expecting.  Well, apparently when you press the "instructions in English" button on the photo machine it takes your picture and gives you this lovely Valentine's Day postcard instead of passport photos!

Hmmm....now what?  I just spent 4 of my 6 euros and I need to take another set of photos.  No problem, I have cash (again just in case).  Just need change.  Change machine is back in the bus station (wouldn't want one in the train station you know).  No problem, go back to the bus station to get change.  Change machine broken, no real surprise.  So I go back to the train station, buy some candy to get change, and finally get my passport photos.

And I got this lovely Valentine's Day postcard!