As you may remember, we have recently PCSed. Technically I don't think the PCS is over because we are still living in the Navy Lodge and we don't have our stuff. Anyway, we've moved overseas, which is very exciting and also frustrating. SpouseBUZZ authors have lived overseas before, but I'm the only author who is currently out of the US and my husband informs me that it is my responsibility to represent all us OCONUS spouses.
We have only been in Italy about three weeks, so my culture shock with the Italians hasn't really set in yet. I'm still dealing with the culture shock of being on a US base overseas. Our last tour overseas, we were on our own with no military facilities, so this is different. Quite different.
The commissary looks sort of the same, except the produce is really lousy and expensive. The meat is wrapped differently and lots of things that we would purchase in the chilled department are found in the frozen section. I have been pleasantly surprised to find some foods that we love, and disappointed that some things are missing. I can't wait to find a good market to buy truly fresh produce!
We are trying to find a place to live and the system is so different here. The housing office is supposed to facilitate finding the housing but it seems that doesn't work out quite as stated, so we've been searching with outside mediators. Thankfully they are usually Italian wives of Americans, so we can communicate. We would really be lost otherwise.
We went the first week to get the girls registered for school, but it seems that most of the school staff is gone during the summer. While I understand that administrators need vacations, too, it seems a little crazy that everyone is out when people are PCSing in (and out.) We have an appointment with a guidance counselor at the end of August. The week before school starts.
I know this sounds a little disjointed, but I wanted to do a broad overview of the joys and challenges of being with the military overseas. I'm hoping to build a good bunch of posts and comments that will help us remember that we are not alone in this journey and provide guidance for people getting ready to move.
On that note, we're going to play a variation of a favorite SpouseBUZZ game: If you could tell a new person coming to your country one thing, what would it be? I'll start!
If I could tell someone coming to Italy one thing, it is that Italian women don't often wear shorts, so pack some skirts and pants in your luggage. I've already had to buy a pair of black linen pants, and I've been wearing the same skirt nearly every other day.
What is your advice?
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We lived in Japan for 3 yrs. I think I would say definitely meet as many locals as you can and let them show you the real country. Do not hide on the installation. Take every offer of every trip you can afford to. We decided to not save money with the COLA, but to experience the world. I AM SO GLAD WE DID!
Good advice from Christi! We lived in Korea for almost 2 yrs and the best memories are from getting out and exploring the country.
My advice would be to pack good walking shoes because in most countries, people walk a lot more than we do in the States. Besides, you'll want to do a lot of exploring on foot!
It's 20 years almost to the day since I last returned from Germany when Dad was sent to Fort Hood before retiring a year later. Speaking as an Army Brat only, let your kids see and do as much as you can afford to do while you are overseas. My parents took us places – Ludwig's castles in Bavaria, Garmisch, Munich, Rothenburg, and more than I could possible remember right now. I was involved in Girl Scouts while overseas, as well. Went to Berlin (pre-Nov. '89) and London, as well as many shorter trips. As a 6th grader, I was able to go on a week ski trip to Sheffau, Austria through school, and as a junior, I went to Florence, Italy on a study trip for a class, and then to The Hague, Netherlands for a Model UN they had every year with schools from around the world (not just DoDDS schools). I cherish the memories of my time living in Germany as a kid…
I'm such a sedintary person. I don't have the slightest clue how I would handle something like that. You guys are amazing. :)
You are in Italy…one of the countries known for their fantastic local outdoor markets with fresh produce, meats, anything you can imagine you can find. Explore like the others said and you may chance upon the local market, risk interacting with the sellers even if you don't speak the language…it's part of the adventure of travel.
In fact…here's the info on the Aviano Market I found by googling Aviano Italy outdoor markets: Aviano- Market is held every Tuesday in the city center from 0800 to 1300. The first Sunday of every month there is an antique market from 0800 to 1300.
I lived in the Czech Republic for a while and I would recommend investing in a family rail pass and hit the rails and stop in the small towns. Stay at some pensions and not just regular hotels the people who run them are usually helpful and insightful. See as much as you can other then the big 3 of London Paris and Rome. Also most Europeans dont wear white tennis shoes and athletic socks so invest in some good walking shoes which are not bright white to help take the american tourist target off of your back.
If you are in Aviano, enjoy it!!! my ex was stationed there and I got to fly out to visit him for 3 weeks. I loved it.
As a graduation present, my parents sent me to Italy to visit my uncle who was a BOSS organizer for an Army base in Italy. Every day he would walk out of his house and pick a mountain out in the distance and then drive to the top of that mountain. It was an interesting concept, but I got to see many different villages that only a local would normally see.