Wow, you're getting to do all the fancy stuff at the con too? Lucky!

I'll make sure it's okay with my friend and get back to you. I'm finalizing details on our hotel when we won't be at the Hilton, starting Sunday, but it's on Via Cavour, which is right in the middle of Rome inside the walls, so it's perfect for sightseeing.

I speak a little Italian and a little bit of German, but it's been ten years since I've had to speak either language at all, so to say I'm rusty would be putting it mildly.