I take some cash when I go abroad but put everything on my credit card that I can. When we went to Italy in 2001 I took a dozen or so $2 bills and used them for tipping when I thought the service was really good. I also took a dozen or so pencils that I bought at the Indy car store in Indy which had Indy cars printed on the side. I used them for the same purpose. People in Italy love anything car related. They also liked the $2 bills.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.