Weathering the Storm with the WP#205

Good things come to those who wait is an old adage that really is true. Of course, I have not, in my life, been the most patient of people, be it for the benefit of my clients and making sure they are taken care of, which is my priority, or on a personal level. I have shared with you, over the past ½ year of so, the trials and tribulations of my life here in Rome and, while there is nowhere else, I would rather be, given that the love of my life is here, I can’t say there have not been times a frustrating, and I knew this coming in. My biggest issue has been with the bureaucracy and all of its tentacles spread around the country and beyond. Remember, with my current situation, I can stay, but I can’t leave without the possibility of being denied re-entry. Well, ladies and gentlemen, that situation, the biggest issue of the bureaucratic nightmare that has held me here within the Italian borders has been lifted. I now am officially a permanent resident of the country of Italy and have an identity card called a Permesso Di Soggiorno which once again allows me to travel across Schengen Borders and be able to return home. ​

We found this out last week, after we also had had a visitor from the city hall, to verify my residency here in our home, I think, last week and given that there were still several possible business trips on the horizon, that may have had to be cancelled, given I was told to show up in March to collect my card, we found out, on line, that the card had been issued. Actually, it was issued sometime in December, the 6th, to be exact, so technically, I have been a legal resident of Italy since December. Remember, we went in November to try once more to get the paperwork moving forward, perhaps a bit faster. Not knowing the status, my trip in March, as all the others prior could have been on the chopping block, as well. Actually, I had already cancelled one part of it, so I already felt a bit defeated, but Rosa said, don’t cancel March, don’t cancel the march trip, so I held onto the core piece. ​

So, as mentioned, we saw the green checkmark online and Rosa broke down, not just because she was so happy, given what we have been through with this process, but she knew how important the travel piece for me personally and professionally was for me, and having to have cancelled out Poland, Iceland, Denmark and to the UK this year and late last year. Remember, I am very used to being on the road, and I had promised her, I would cut down the travel, but the Poland trip was for both of us. In the end, we decided Monday to take a chance and go to the Questura, the place where we were in November and see, if my card would be made available then, and not have to wait until March 12, and after a several hour wait, my name was called, I presented once again, the police officer my passport, and he took verification fingerprints and then presented me my card, which made me very happy and Rosa, as well and we then proceeded to a very authentic Italian restaurant nowhere near the historic center and took a typical Italian lunch in celebration. ​

It has to be said that this is an amazing happening and I will be in Vienna in March and in London twice in June, and the doors have opened. Having this documented and official, I can now have my meager worldly possessions including my vehicle shipped here to Italy, finally, after being in storage for over 6 or 7 months with the rent paid for that, and not have to pay Italian customs, so that is a good thing. Of course, that opens up other cans of worms, including the technical issues of having to “trade” in my US drivers license for an Italian one. I have a year to do this, and I have to take the test, which is only given in Italian, so while I have some time (car won’t be here most likely until April, I have to brush up on my Italian to pass the 30-question test and score 90% or better and have 20 minutes to complete it. The rules of the road here are not that different than elsewhere and I have in recent times rented cars and driven in Italy, so I am not concerned, even with my rudimentary Italian. Rosa has reminded me, that now I have to take a class, this, balanced with the business, teaching, and everyday life with my wife. By the time I find myself having to perform said activity, I should be prepared, and there is the cost involved, insurance, but Rosa feels I can be added to hers and we will cross that bridge when it comes, still some time. ​

All this is to say that the most major of the hurdles has been passed and we know there will be more bumps in the road. Sometime this year, I have to renew my US passport, which on the surface is not an issue, given the US Embassy can do it for me without too much difficulty. However, my Permesso di Soggiorno in terms of matching documentation, is connected, so it may make for a challenge, but hopefully not, in providing me a new card with the new passport information, once received, as it is noted on my card on the back, as the same as on my current passport. Again, we have time, but I know, having had the Italian bureaucracy experience, a possible challenge may happen, but we will cross that bridge too, when it happens. For now, I am once again, able to spread my wings and venture outside the Italian borders without issue. In any case, I will be holding on to all documentation, just in case I am ever stopped by the authorities. ​

I know that last week I gave praise to the month of February in all of its glory and status as the runt of the calendar, but now, I have another good reason. I have my permanent residency card, valid for 5 years renewable until the end of time and it was retrieved this month. Of course, a little event this Friday for those in love to celebrate, even with its inauspicious history, and then, well next week, on the 19th, which I will write about then. Well, in any case, it is amazing to me where I am now and where I was some 5 years ago. So, the moral of this little post is that it is very true that good things come to those who wait, even though, in my case, I have not been a very patient person when it comes to Italian bureaucracy. I have heard of stories of people giving up on the process and saying the hell with it but tell me I can’t do something and watch out. Not easy, but worth it in the end. ​

Thank you as always for your support of our crazy little world as it once again expands a little more and the border walls are now down once again, reminding me of the time back in 2021, I believe when I was in Croatia and said, somehow, I am going to find a way to get to Rome to Rosa. If you remember, Italy was still closed to the outside, but having the crazy faith I had and still have, I changed my air ticket to go to and leave from Rome, and long story short, two days before I was to fly to Rome, 16 months to the day, when Rosa and I met for the first time, prior to the pandemic, the Italian government lifted the entry blockage, with restrictions, which I passed with flying colors and she was there to meet me at Fiumicino and as they say, the rest is history.  Be safe, happy, and healthy and if you enjoy reading my offerings each week, please feel free to leave comments as they are always appreciated. Ciao, ciao until next week. Happy Valentines Day to everyone!!!​