Quick update because I'm sitting at the base library using the computer while Taylor is working out. I did a cardio kick boxing class 2 days ago and I'm sore in places I didn't know contained muscles...no workout for me today!
And it is currently Thursday, still with no internet. Taylor correctly deciphered his text about them setting it up on Wednesday, but when they arrived they said we didn't have the correct line at the house and they would be back in 10-20 days to install the line. I have a hard time believing that because this is government housing and a Major and his family lived there previous to us...they went for 3 years without internet...doubt it. But the broken English of the internet guy was difficult enough to understand, let alone try to express my opinion.
So...just a few things I have found entertaining over the last few weeks of living here. These are the things Taylor thinks I'm crazy for even mentioning, because why does it matter? And it doesn't really, but I find it interesting so maybe you will too!
1) Recycling is required by law over here. You separate it into different categories before it is either picked up or before you take it to the dumpster (depending on your city). There are steep fines for not obeying the law. One of the previous commanders on base got fined after they went through his trash and picked out a bill with his name and address on it...true story.
2) All showers and baths are required to have an emergency alarm in them. If you are in trouble while in the shower you pull the string that is attached to a button up towards your ceiling and it sets off an alarm. Every hotel and house we looked at had the strings and we couldn't figure out what they were. At one of our hotels Taylor pulled the string in the bathroom and about 2 minutes later we had a guy at our door asking if we needed help because there was an alarm going off. I couldn't figure out what the alarm was coming from, but he flipped a switch inside the door and it turned off. Once the guy left, Taylor says, "I think I figured out what the string is...". Then the inspector at our house said it is Italian law that mandates the alarms in the bathrooms.
3) I've mentioned about the crazy Italian driving. It really isn't as bad as I expected. They just really like to tailgate, speed, and pass you. All the roads in our area are little 2 lane roads, some areas you are allowed to pass, others you are not, for Americans at least! Italians don't care! So, let's say I'm driving down the road and the car behind me decides to pass. They misjudged their space and ended up hitting the car in the oncoming traffic lane as they are trying to pass me. If I did not try to slow down or move out of the passing car's way, by Italian law, I too would be at fault for the accident. They call it the Italian 3rd lane...because they frequently create that invisible third lane to pass you no matter where you are!!
4) I figured out how to work my German washer and dryer after having instructions from the warehouse. I swear when I get decent internet on my computer I'm going to take a picture of my program dial on my washer so you don't think I'm crazy! The washer and dryer are about 1/2 the size of a normal washer and dryer in the US which I thought would be a huge pain...turns out I can live with the size...it's the time that is unbelievable. I start reading the picture graph instructions for my washer...get this...For a normal wash cycle it takes 135 minutes...yes you read that right...ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE MINUTES!!! If it is heavily soiled it is 150 minutes! So as far as I'm concerned, I don't care how many stains are on the clothes or how bad they smell...from here on out all of my clothes are LIGHTLY SOILED and they will be for the next 3 years. One hour and 50 minutes for the lightly soiled cycle! The dryer takes just as long...
So while that is a huge difference from the US and a rather large inconvenience, it could be way worse. I'm actually very thankful because so far the power at our house has handled all of our appliances running at once. Last night we successfully ran the washer, dryer, and tv all at once...that's a little unheard of over here. I didn't push it with the microwave...that would just be getting greedy.
But seriously, when you rent a home you begin with 3 watts (probably not watts...actually I don't know what the correct term is for it...) so I'll say level 3 power for the house. For a one time fee of 130 Euro (about $190) you can upgrade to level 4...this will allow you to run more appliances at once. You have to be sure your house can handle the level of electricity because some houses are only wired to handle 4-5 watts, but the max level is 6. In GHRP housing (Government Housing Rental Program) all houses are wired and have their electricity at level 6 without having to pay the necessary fee for every level you move up. Huge bonus!
We have yet to trip our circuits...I can also run my hairdryer and the tv at once as well, so we have been very lucky!!! As it was explained to me...in the US usually each room is wired on a circuit so if you are running two hair dryers in one room obviously you will probably blow a fuse. In Italian homes, the whole house is on the same circuit, it is not divided by room, so a washer and dryer at the same time especially combined with a TV would easily blow a fuse. Anyway, you take it for granted in the US, but not everywhere runs quite as easily and freely as it does back home! Appreciate your washer and dryer that take 16 minutes to run a cycle and 45 minutes to dry!
I am really excited for tonight because at 7pm on AFN (Armed Forces Network) Prime the 43rd Annual Country Music Association awards are on!!!!!!!!!! It's a great night! And if I knew enough people who loved country music I would invite them over for a party, but I don't, so it will be Taylor and I on the couch singing into the remote (well I'll be singing...Taylor will be rolling his eyes at me). I saw the first ad for this last Thursday and I have been looking forward to it all week! I'm going to be real sad if they start playing songs I haven't even heard yet...I'm sure it's possible considering we get two Armed Forces radio stations over here and I haven't even heard those for a week since we turned in the rental car! Taylor's car has no radio...he's desperately looking into adding one ASAP!
Taylor's unaccompanied baggage should be delivered tomorrow (he finally gets winter clothes now too) and he was told his household goods from North Carolina should be arriving on the 20th. No word on my HHG, but at least we'll get part of the stuff. I'm tired of scooping my icecream with my plastic measuring cup...yay for real silverware coming soon!!
All for now!
Later Gator Hater!!
No comments:
Post a Comment