Yipee!! (I think)

Well, after "much to do about nothing" the Italian government has granted our visas. At the end the Department of Defense, Superintendent of Mediterranean schools, Admiral of the Naval base and the State Department have all been involved. But, at last, we're told they're on their way and we should have them today--or tomorrow (but that would involve the government transport department issuing us a new airline ticket--the sixth)

It's been a month since we gave up our furniture, home and car and we've been in motels or friends and family homes just waiting...and waiting........and waiting. Bob said we feel like we're pregnant and overdue. Every day, maybe today they'll give us our visas.

Anyway, we now have plane tickets for Wednesday the 20th and should be in Italy on the 21st. I'm not getting excited until I have those visas, passports and tickets in my hand.

Passports? you ask. Well, in order to even consider our visas the Italian consulate in Chicago had to have in their hand our government issued passports and work orders..........as if the American Department of Defense would lie about hiring us. In addition, before they would issue (this was a new demand at the end) they had to have a hand-signed ---not to be faxed or emailed--letter from the state department requesting our visas and vouching for our not being terrorists. What a world we live in.