You Could Get Deported

Danielle and I arrived at the International Relations office the next morning. Then our entire morning was spent running around Teramo to get things prepared for my stupid permesso.

In Italy, if you plan to live there for more than 3 months, you must go through this grueling process to apply for what is termed a permesso. It is a document saying, “Yes, you can reside in Italy for x amount of time.” Basically, without it, I could be deported. Oh, yeah, and you have to have it turned in within 8 days of your arrival.

The permesso asks for a copy of the full passport (all 20-something pages, even blank ones), pictures of the applicant, and copies of every document one must send to the Consulate when applying for a visa. Good gosh, isn’t the fact that I HAVE a visa good enough for you people? I was so stressed I almost started crying. I’m halfway around the world; there is no possible way I can gather all those documents in 8 days.

Additionally, Paola had to take us to get a “fiscal code” for my apartment. I still don’t understand why I had to have one. But I’m not asking questions. I got one. I gave it to my landlord. I’m not getting deported. The end.

Needless to say, I spent the next 3 mornings in the International Relations office trying to fill out this permesso. We found out that the fact that I have a visa should be sufficient for all those copies, I just needed to fill out the application. Which was in Italian. Thank goodness I had a translator. When I finished it, I had to go to the post office to turn the application in. Alone. Wonderful.

It was a relatively easy process, I just signed where I needed to sign and paid when I had to. At least I understood passaporto. Another thing I’ve noticed in Italy: Everyone I have given my passport to comments on how bellissima (beautiful) it is. Are Italian passports ugly? I mean, my passport is pretty, but I didn’t think it was that extraordinary. I guess we Americans do it good. ;)

That Monday afternoon, Danielle boarded a bus to Florence for her remaining 3 days. I said goodbye, and tried to hold back the tears I felt welling up inside. But I couldn’t. I was nervous and scared. She had been here with me through the entire trip, and now I was utterly alone in a town where the majority does not speak English. I turned from the bus wiping away my tears and started heading towards my apartment, when I heard my name. What the heck?

It was my roommate Romeo. He asked if I was okay, and I said yes. Then he told me he was going to study at the University, but assured me that he would be home that evening. I said thanks and headed back to my new home.

I spent the evening unpacking and called Anna Giulia. We would go out and get coffee or something. I could definitely use the company.