I am a pretty healthy girl. Since I quit smoking in 1995 and quickly thereafter my stressful newspaper job, I have rarely been ill. I would even go as far to say that I haven't even had a cold in several years.
Until I got to Italy.
I've been sick three times this winter (twice in February). I am not stressed out so I suspect that it has something to do with the air quality here.... not good.
I also sneeze constantly even when I'm not sick.
Occasionally, we get a nice rain and it purifies things but usually the air here is so brown that you can't see the gorgeous Dolomite foothills that are just 30 miles away.
My Italian neighbors use their wood-burning fireplaces for heat. On these crisp 30-40 degree nights I like to sleep with the window open but honestly, I think I'm doing more harm than good - I'm shutting the windows.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Fresh Air
Thursday, March 01, 2012
U.S. Military PCSing to Vicenza Italy: Power Supply
We left most of our 110V appliances in storage in the states and brought only our computers, TVs, playstation (and all other gaming consoles) and a DVD player. We bought the rest of 220V appliances needs when we arrived here in Europe.
Believe me, as nice as your vacuum is... you won't want to be plugging it into a transformer and dragging it around the house as you vacuum. My advice: store it in the states.
When you get here you will get a Move In Housing Allowance (MIHA) that is pretty generous. It will cover buying a vacuum, microwave, food processor, hand blender, blow dryer, fans, transformers etc.
You can pick up used appliances, extension cords and transformers either at the base Thrift Shop or go to the Facebook Yard Sale pages to buy. Be warned though that these items are in high demand in the summer months and get cleaned out quickly. New transformers are available for purchase at the PX too.
Military are issued one transformer and an AFN Decoder from CFMO (the furniture borrowing warehouse) for the duration of your stay. You will also probably want to buy a transformer (or more) depending on how many electronics you want to plug in. For instance, if you plan on having a TV/DVD in each bedroom you will need a transformer for each room.
Confused about the difference between adapters and transformers?
Adapters "adapt" a US two or three prong plug so you can plug in your 110V item into a 220V plug in. Just because the adapter fits on your appliance plug does not mean that the appliance will work. Important: adapters do not change the current. Adapters work mainly on laptops, electronics, lamps and some sewing machines that state acceptable voltage somewhere on them (110-230V). Never assume though. Look carefully - you don't want to ruin the item!
U.S. 110V lamps can be easily used without a transformer. Just change the light bulb (to a 220V) and use an adapter pushed on the plug in.
Transformers are large, heavy (some over 10 pounds), sometimes with multiple plug-ins. They transform the power supply from 220 to 110. You have to spend a little time figuring out how many watts you can plug into each transformer. The heavier and bigger the transformer, the more wattage you can plug into it.
Transformers suck power like crazy... even if it's not in use but still plugged into the wall it's drawing energy (you can hear it humming). If you're in a private rental you will be responsible for your electric bills and will want to conserve energy. Unplug when not in use!
Running items with a motor (such as a KitchenAid mixer or vacuum) on a transformer is not recommended and will eventually damage or ruin the appliance. Some items just won't work plugged into a transformer. For instance, you cannot run an electric clock on a transformer. It won't keep the time.
Transformers can be costly depending on the size. I think our large transformer cost us about $80 or more over here.
I'm going to stop my advice here and confess that I've ruined a paper shredder and blown up the power supply in a $1200 desktop computer. Do your own research about power supply, wattage and figure out what you will need over here.
In our house, we get by with two transformers: one behind our TV/gaming stuff and a smaller transformer for our desktop setup. We also keep a third smaller transformer for just in case stuff.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
U.S. Military PCSing to Vicenza, Italy: Jobs and Pets
Getting a job on base:
Finding a job on base can be very difficult. Because of the SOFA (status of forces agreement) the base has to hire 80% (or something like that) local nationals and the rest of the spots are filled with Americans. Many are civilian sponsored jobs (people who are shipped over and have all the benefits the military members have). I have a job as a contractor that I luckily procured in Belgium. When we PCSd, I transferred. I probably get asked twice a week how I got my job and if I know of any jobs. That said, there is a new annex base that will be opening between Fall 2012 and Winter 2013. There will probably be some jobs available to spouses around that time.
In the meantime, I will say that if you want to work at the PX or commissary you probably could get a job fairly easily.
Pets:
About your pets... I say (my opinion) that if the animal is your family pet, and you want to feel like you "live" over here bring it.
We are very attached to our pets and brought over our dog and two cats. It was probably the biggest stress of travelling over though but I'm glad I have them. The cats fit under the seats in front of us on the plane and cost $125 each. The dog we arranged with the airline and shipped him on the plane we were on for $300-$400 or something like that.
This was three years ago and prices may have changed. There is a lot of planning required for bringing your pets over but it is worth it.
This blog: Life Lessons of a Military Wife has more in-depth information on shipping pets and she's also a fabulous resource for military living in Europe.
For kenneling locally: there is no military kennel here but there are kennels over here on the economy that are nice but PRICEY! I have heard great things about these two places but haven't tried them for myself:
I also belong to Facebook page for Caserma Ederle dog owners. I know I keep bringing up Facebook but it really is an unbeatable way to connect with other Americans (and Italians) who have a common interest. It's called Vicenza Doggie Club and you need to ask to join.
There are also other military families that will either trade pet care or watch your dog (for cash) while you travel. Connect with them on the facebook page above.
One of the base annexes here has a vet clinic for basic pet health care.
As far as landlords allowing pets (and this was true for Belgium too)... 80% of the time, the landlords say in their postings that they won't allow pets but it's really about them wanting to get a good look at you, size up whether you'll trash the place and then they will allow the animal. Every place we went to said "no pets" including the government lease that we're in now but they quickly signed a waiver to get us in there. Europeans landlords are much easier about pets than American landlords, I've found. Italians love love love their dogs!!! Don't be put off by rentals that say "no pets". Look at them all as if they allow pets and then ask about the animals after. You might find a few that are firm about it but most will allow pets.
Monday, February 27, 2012
US Military PCSing to Vicenza, Italy: Vehicles
I have a Honda Odyssey and we brought it over mostly for when we have company (it seats 8) and for that purpose it is fabulous but the drawbacks are... it's hard to park, it stands out, it uses a lot of gas, and it's also too big to park in the garage to secure it (although no problems with that yet). Also, some roads are very narrow and you may spend a lot of time backing up to find a place to pull over and let oncoming traffic get by you.
If you have a large family, I'm sure you want to be comfortable. If you are going to ski, expect a lot of company or take long car trips you may want to consider bringing your large vehicle. If your family can be comfortable in a more energy efficient sedan - I would definately trade for one or buy a new one over here through Car Sales (tax free and you can get European models for less) after arriving. Some links to look over:
Used Car Sales -
Buying a vehicle from another service member:
Good used cars owned by other service members seem hard to come by here in Italy.My thoughts... the population is very young here and the cars that are out there are 1) trashed 2) not maintained well 3) recycled over and over amongst service members. If you are aggressive and persistent you can get one - I bought a Fiat Punto by watching the ads religiously and being the first to call and go see. That said, I had to replace all four brakes after owning the car for 3 months.
If you want to buy another service member vehicle and would be willing to travel to Germany or Belgium to pick one up, you would have much more selection. I would look in Stars and Stripes classifieds or find out how they advertise the "Lemon Lot" vehicles for that area.
Also if you are searching to buy a certain type of vehicle, it doesn't hurt to put the word out in the local community. If it were me, I would put a "wanted: minivan" or whatever it is you are seeking on the Facebook Army Wives' Yard Sale or Facebook Vicenza Online Yard Sale page.
Remember too that if you buy a European spec used vehicle you cannot bring it back with you to the states (or you could but it would be ridiculously expensive to bring it to US specs) so you will most likely be selling it again before you leave. Both used vehicles we have purchased have been European spec - it's pretty common and a good choice if you want to blend in.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Housing for US Military PCSing to Vicenza, Italy
Recently I received some questions from a reader that made me realize that yes, I do know some stuff... I forget because I've been here awhile.
So... if you're moving over here this information may help ease your anxieties:Housing:
Summer is a great time to move as far as housing goes. The house turnover is pretty quick so if you have nothing to look at on a Monday, don't despair! By Thursday, things might have changed.
My advice to you is to "go with the flow" and not pre-plan or get your heart set on anything before arriving. Be prepared to hit the ground running though so you can get out of the Ederle Inn quick. It took us 3 weeks last July. Other advice: be patient and polite (but firm) with the housing people. They are mostly Italians and will work with you and what you need.
We were told that we had to take a government lease house. They wouldn't
even show us Villagio (the housing on an annex "base") because we have a piano and it wouldn't fit through the door. They took us to two duplex type places that were so small (but very nice). I almost cried afterwards because I would have had to rent a storage locker about the size of the place they were offering. We told them, "thank you, but we just can't do it" and they showed us a third place (government lease) that suited
us just fine. There was no line drawn in the sand - take it or else discussed.
Generally the housing office sticks to this rule: 1st fill up Villagio (almost all lower enlisted as far as I can tell), then available government lease, then private lease. Like I said, you will be able to bend things more to your will if you are pleasant but firm and not ridiculous in your expectations.
Make sure you reserve now for your Ederle Inn room (especially if you have
pets). They don't need to see orders to make reservations.
BTW the horror stories you hear are often times the young soldiers and wives
who are either unprepared, have unrealistic expectations or are just plain rude.
Just my two cents.
Another great resource, if you haven't found it for yourself is the
Facebook: Army Wives Caserma Ederle page. Ask to join it - there is great info on there!
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