December 13, 2016
In 29 days, I will arrive in Italy where I will live for a year, or forever. I have been waiting for this day for many years. And now, I just want to get on that airplane and fly!
Oops, I am not ready. I have traveled for 3 months in the summer, 3 weeks in the winter. What do I pack for a year or a lifetime. And how do I get it there?
What do I need to live in Italy for more than 3 months? And do I have it?
What else do I need to take care of before I leave?
I have been a homeless vagabond for 2 ½ months. Since then I have called my sister’s home my home. I have a bedroom there. I have been in and out of that home and have yet to make the final decisions on the last things I must leave behind. I am running out of time.
Old DVDs and CDs, clothing, art, paperwork, and other accessories. Family photos I have yet to give away. I am procrastinating.
As they say in the old Disney version of Alice in Wonderland, “I’m late. I’m late for a very important date. No time to say hello, goodbye. I’m late. I’m late. I’m late.” You see, I leave Minnesota behind on Christmas night. I will see nearly all my close family that day. It seemed like a great idea a year ago when I began this plan. Now I dread it.
I won’t see the little ones grow. My siblings are getting up in years. My father is 92. I doubt any of them will come to visit me if I stay in Italy forever. Maybe that is why I am procrastinating. Saying goodbye to things is one step closer to saying goodbye to people.
Now what do I need to take with me on my flight? As I always remind my clients who travel to Italy, remember it is a modern country. You don’t need to bring everything but the kitchen sink. Normally I travel with one rolling carry on and a purse. However, I think I will need more for this move. I need more than 2 pair of shoes, winter and summer clothing, ALL my jewelry, books, computer and terabyte drive, sweaters, mittens. Goodness gracious, I had better buy another suitcase! Perhaps I need to slim down my clothing—I hope to buy some wonderfully designed clothing in Italy. I only have 9 pair of shoes remaining. I had better drop a few of those too. Give away the hair dryer, the Sodastream and other crutches of life in the USA.
What else do I need? I have my US and Italian passports but I still need to my Codice Fiscale (basically my Italian social security number) and I am running out of time. I may have to do that in Italy.
I prefer to carry euros on my trips. I need to get to the bank and pick up some. Then call my bank cards and let them know I won’t be here for a year or more, renew my driver’s license and get an international one, check all my bills to make sure all bills are on line and not snail mail, find my receipts for my tax information, business paperwork and pack all that. This is not the fun part.
What keeps me going? This.
And this.
And this.
And this.
Wish me luck, or as we say in Italian, in boca al lupo, in the mouth of the wolf. Only 29 days.
“I’m late. I’m late for a very important date.”
Ciao for now!
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Ciao for Now!
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