Moving to a new country often sounds exotic but it is not like being a tourist in a country. On Tuesday all of the new teachers at AOSR made a trip to the immigration office. There were ten of us and it took all morning. The purpose was to get what is the equivalent to a US social security number and card that is called Codice Fiscale. I got my number but the printer that makes the card was broken so I did not get the card. The picture is of the many people in the waiting room. The school had an appointment for us so we did not have to wait long. One has to have the Codice Fiscale number to get a bank account, to rent an apartment, and to get services like electricity, gas, Internet.
Since I got my Codice Fiscale number I could open a bank account. The business officer at AOSR took me to the bank to open my account. That took two and a half hours. I needed her there as my translator. I have learned that English is not widely spoken in Rome.
Later I wanted to go to the bank to deposit some US dollars I had brought with me. The bank closes at 4:30. I got there about 4:05. I took a number and realized that 3 people were ahead of me so I stepped in to the lobby to use the ATM machine and when I tried to re-enter the bank the door was locked. I held up the number for my turn and I clearly understood - "domani" or tomorrow. They locked the bank by 4:15 so everyone was gone by 4:30 pm.
Between the immigration office and the bank I have signed my name on many, many papers. I have no idea what they actually say since they are in Italian. I trust I didn't sign away my first born! Since he is an adult I am probably safe with that.
Getting settled takes a lot of emotional energy. I am hoping to get a place to live by Friday. The deal is not confirmed but I think it will be soon. More on that later. - Nancy
Since I got my Codice Fiscale number I could open a bank account. The business officer at AOSR took me to the bank to open my account. That took two and a half hours. I needed her there as my translator. I have learned that English is not widely spoken in Rome.
Later I wanted to go to the bank to deposit some US dollars I had brought with me. The bank closes at 4:30. I got there about 4:05. I took a number and realized that 3 people were ahead of me so I stepped in to the lobby to use the ATM machine and when I tried to re-enter the bank the door was locked. I held up the number for my turn and I clearly understood - "domani" or tomorrow. They locked the bank by 4:15 so everyone was gone by 4:30 pm.
Between the immigration office and the bank I have signed my name on many, many papers. I have no idea what they actually say since they are in Italian. I trust I didn't sign away my first born! Since he is an adult I am probably safe with that.
Getting settled takes a lot of emotional energy. I am hoping to get a place to live by Friday. The deal is not confirmed but I think it will be soon. More on that later. - Nancy
3 comments:
Nancy, heard you got place today? Congrats!
Marta
I think I heard all "the news" on our Skype call. Bless you on the wk-end! Love, R.
Also, Nance, you would be thrilled to know that the Red Sox won their 2nd game 4-1, vs. the Yankees -- on a 4-game series. - rw
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