Some of you know a bit more about what my husband does for a living than others. I thought I would share some information about his job and why we are moving to Italy.
My husband is not in the military (any more), but was in the Army for 20 years. He retired and worked another job for a few years, but ended up going back to work for the Army as a civilian. He is not a contractor, he works as an equipment specialist for the federal government.
The official title is Logistics Assistance Representative. He works on armaments, which just means he gets to play with big guns. Great things for overgrown boys! Hubby has been deployed to Iraq and Kuwait and also traveled to countries in Central and South America a few times. Anywhere weapons need to be inspected or repaired, he may travel.
Each year he (we) fill out a sheet that lists places to which we would not mind being transfered. We have always listed Italy and Germany on the overseas list. I honestly did not think that we would ever be sent anywhere in Europe, due to the downsizing of forces there. It was a real surprise that we would get to go to Italy, but it was a good surprise!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Passport Applications, Check
The whole process of getting to Italy is full of bureaucracy! We must have no-fee passports and visas, just to get to Italy. Now, if we want to travel in Europe, we need a tourist passport as well. That is a whole different issue, though.
After filling out four passport applications, my eyes were crossing. I had to refer back to records for social security numbers, birth dates and facts on my parents and Gary's parents that I never thought I would ever need! The applications are not difficult, just annoying.
Then, take two small children to get passport photos. If I would have went to post to get the pictures done for free, but they only do the pictures for three hours every other Friday morning. Not good for my schedule, considering I teach a class each Friday morning. So, we got to experience the joys of Walgreens' Photo Department for passport photos. They actually did a fairly decent job and got it over quickly, so no complaints. However, we had to order an extra set, because we will need pictures for the Visa. About $60 dollars later, we had everyone's pictures in hand. Luckily, the federal government will reimburse us for that cost!
If I had been thinking, I would have ordered a third set, because we have to have pictures for the boys' tourist passports. The cost for these passports will be on us. However, if we want to travel Europe while we are there, the passports are a must. So, back to the paperwork and back to Walgreen's for more pictures!
After we completed the paperwork, got photos taken and made sure we had the appropriate documents; we went to the passport office on Fort Riley. It is necessary for the children under the age to be present to complete the passport application, as well as both parents. We turned our applications in and the staff typed our information into the system. When it came time to present all the documentation, everything was present...almost. Somehow, one of the boys birth certificates had disappeared from the packet. I must have looked as though I was going to have a meltdown, because the lady working at the desk suggested we get everything signed and just bring the birth certificate later. So, Gary had the privilege of making a return voyage to the passport office.
Meanwhile, the "No-Fee" Passports are in process and hopefully will be back in about 6-weeks. As soon as those passports come back, we go in and sign them. The passport office on Post will turn around and send them it to get our Schengen Visa that will allow us to stay in Italy for longer than 90 days.
So, once again, we are in a hurry up and wait mode.
After filling out four passport applications, my eyes were crossing. I had to refer back to records for social security numbers, birth dates and facts on my parents and Gary's parents that I never thought I would ever need! The applications are not difficult, just annoying.
Then, take two small children to get passport photos. If I would have went to post to get the pictures done for free, but they only do the pictures for three hours every other Friday morning. Not good for my schedule, considering I teach a class each Friday morning. So, we got to experience the joys of Walgreens' Photo Department for passport photos. They actually did a fairly decent job and got it over quickly, so no complaints. However, we had to order an extra set, because we will need pictures for the Visa. About $60 dollars later, we had everyone's pictures in hand. Luckily, the federal government will reimburse us for that cost!
If I had been thinking, I would have ordered a third set, because we have to have pictures for the boys' tourist passports. The cost for these passports will be on us. However, if we want to travel Europe while we are there, the passports are a must. So, back to the paperwork and back to Walgreen's for more pictures!
After we completed the paperwork, got photos taken and made sure we had the appropriate documents; we went to the passport office on Fort Riley. It is necessary for the children under the age to be present to complete the passport application, as well as both parents. We turned our applications in and the staff typed our information into the system. When it came time to present all the documentation, everything was present...almost. Somehow, one of the boys birth certificates had disappeared from the packet. I must have looked as though I was going to have a meltdown, because the lady working at the desk suggested we get everything signed and just bring the birth certificate later. So, Gary had the privilege of making a return voyage to the passport office.
Meanwhile, the "No-Fee" Passports are in process and hopefully will be back in about 6-weeks. As soon as those passports come back, we go in and sign them. The passport office on Post will turn around and send them it to get our Schengen Visa that will allow us to stay in Italy for longer than 90 days.
So, once again, we are in a hurry up and wait mode.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Where is Vicenza, Italy?
For all our friends and family that are unfamiliar with Europe and Italy, I am posting some basic information about our destination.
Vicenza, Italy is located in the northwest part of Italy. It is approximately 40 miles from Venice, Italy. Venice is the city in Italy that is built on the edge of the sea and has canals for roads. We will fly in to Marco Polo Airport in Venice when we arrive in Italy.
The city of Vicenza is slightly smaller than Topeka, Kansas. It is home to Caserma Ederle, which is the Army Post where Gary will be working. I am sure there are many things about the city that we will not learn until we get there and our settled.
Vicenza is well known for it's architecture and has a number of villas that were designed by an architect named Palladio. It has many places to see the scenic unique buildings of Palladian design. The city is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Vicenza, Italy is located in the northwest part of Italy. It is approximately 40 miles from Venice, Italy. Venice is the city in Italy that is built on the edge of the sea and has canals for roads. We will fly in to Marco Polo Airport in Venice when we arrive in Italy.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Oh, what to do...
The logistics of moving to another country is a bit more difficult than moving to a different state or town. Right now, we have so much on our platter. Two big decisions need to be made before we go.
We have to decide what we are going to do with our furbabies. Taking cats and dogs overseas could be a major pain in the neck. In Italy, there is no quarantine period. All that is needed is to have a clean bill of health, up-to-date immunizations and a micro-chip. The government pays for two animals to go with us. It is not recommended that you bring pets, however. I love my cats and dog. I don't want to give them away. Who wants three ten year old cats who have really never left the house except to go to the vet? How about the 17 year old cat with health issues and an extremely bad attitude? The cute dog that still looks and looks like a puppy is probably in danger of being given away. Oh my, I hate the thought.
The next thing we have to decide is what to do to with our house. We are not going to sell it, we have decided that much. However, we need to decide whether to lease the house, find someone to live in it or leave it empty. Since the insurance company won't insure it empty, I guess we have two options.
All these decisions...
Anyone want to live in my house and adopt five spoiled critters?
We have to decide what we are going to do with our furbabies. Taking cats and dogs overseas could be a major pain in the neck. In Italy, there is no quarantine period. All that is needed is to have a clean bill of health, up-to-date immunizations and a micro-chip. The government pays for two animals to go with us. It is not recommended that you bring pets, however. I love my cats and dog. I don't want to give them away. Who wants three ten year old cats who have really never left the house except to go to the vet? How about the 17 year old cat with health issues and an extremely bad attitude? The cute dog that still looks and looks like a puppy is probably in danger of being given away. Oh my, I hate the thought.
The next thing we have to decide is what to do to with our house. We are not going to sell it, we have decided that much. However, we need to decide whether to lease the house, find someone to live in it or leave it empty. Since the insurance company won't insure it empty, I guess we have two options.
All these decisions...
Anyone want to live in my house and adopt five spoiled critters?
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