Permesso di Soggiorno

I finally had my appointment today for my Permesso di Soggiorno (Resident Permit). My appointment was for 12:01pm. I was told to make sure I go a bit early just to make sure that I get there and find my way around ok with time to spare. So I ended up at the Congress Office at 11:00am. I talked to the police guard that was guarding the door and he gave me a number and pointed to me to go into this huge waiting area. I should make a side note here that everywhere you go in Italy they make you take tickets. Post office, at the market, any appointment place... Its a little weird but it works. Instead of lines that we have, you just take a number and then you can go and have a seat wherever until they call you.

So, my number was 806 and was stamped at 11:05am. I walked into this huge area that had 18 booths and hundreds of people waiting. I took a seat and noticed that they were only working on number 744 when I sat down. I only sat there for a few minutes though because I very soon noticed a not so nice odor. Some people sitting close to me starting laughing and I thought I better get out of there before it happened again. :( I went closer to the booths that were dealing with the resident permits and took a seat. I read some of my book that I had brought with me and just people watched. At about 1:15 I was starting to get a little antsy. I was surrounded by people from all backgrounds that were there for various reasons. Trust me when I say that the people and the smells didn't dissipate when I moved. There was no air conditioning and it wasn't very pleasant. It also seemed that everyone had brought along their whole families. I guess they probably had to (and as you all know I love kids) but it was so loud and the kids (many of them) wouldn't stop crying. It was about 1:30 when I finally decided to put my Ipod on and drown out the noise. I have to admit, that it did help. I cranked up my tunes and just settled in for the long wait that was still to come. At 2pm they hit number 788 and I was sooo excited. Less then 20 people to go. I was pretty sure I was going to be out of there by 3 and thought for sure I could make it to my photo class that was from 2-5. Well then just my luck the girls (there was only the 2 booths that were helping us) closed up for lunch. At this point, I wasn't sure what I should do. I thought about going home for a bit (as it was only 5min away from my apartment) but thought that what if I go home and end up missing my appointment. I had already sat there for 3 hours and the lunch break was only 30min so I just hung out. The girls showed up again at about 2:40 so I knew I wasn't making it to class anytime soon.

Finally at 3:50pm my number was called. YEAH! I couldn't have been happier. I went up to the booth and handed the lady all of the paperwork that I had. I should also add in here that I never actually ended up getting all of the paperwork that I needed. They (I still don't really know who "they" really is) were supposed to mail my documents back to me that I filled out and mailed away on June 26th so I wasn't sure if this appointment was going to be all for nothing or not. It turned out ok though. They have this cool machine that I had to get my fingerprints electronically printed on and I had to sign a few documents. Then she handed me a new piece of paper and told me to come back on that day to pick up my card! YEAH! I got it! Italy wants me! Not that they would have any reason not to want me, come on, I'm Canadian and such a good little citizen, what country wouldn't want me. ;)

So my appointment is August 30 to go and pick up my card. I won't be in Italy that day (I'll be in the UK) but the lady told me just to come back any day after that and pick it up. I know now though that appointment times really don't mean anything and to be at the office by 8am when it opens. I've learned my lesson on appointment times in Italy, that's for sure!

Needless to say that it was after 4pm when I finally walked out of the office. 5hours I waited there today. It was long, boring and smelly but I survived. I didn't however make it to my class which really annoyed me. My last class in photography is tomorrow. I'm sad but have learned so much and feel it was well worth it. Does anyone need pictures taken? I'm good now...really. :)

Temp high: 31
Gelato: Moro(dark choc)/Yogurt Bosco(yogurt with berries) I have to say though, that although I love both of these flavours, I really shouldn't have had them both at the same time. They don't really mix well.