Reduce, Reuse, but mostly Recycle

I think we've all heard stories about someone being fined 100's of Euro for putting recyclables in their garbage. Or garbage men ripping open bags and leaving everything because things weren't disposed of properly.

I imagine a lot of those are "tall tales", but there are very strict guidelines regarding recycling and waste disposal in Italy. Each town has its own set of rules, but generally they are similar.

This link has a list of most towns that Americans live in and links to the local waste disposal rules. Some of these links are in English, some are not. So it may take a little digging to find out the specifics for your town. It's certainly worth your effort though. Fines can reach up to 600Euro and beyond. Roveredo's fines range from 25Euro to 620Euro. Yikes!

Do I know anyone who's ever been fined? No, I don't.

I am in Maniago, and they seem pretty lax here. If I've run out of yellow garbage sacks for our household garbage and set out white ones, they still take them. Though I try very hard to follow the rules, I know occasionally a yogurt cup or water bottle probably makes its way to the garbage instead of the recycling. And there may be things that I think I'm doing right, but I'm not.

Mostly, I try to get it right because we do live next to Italians and I don't want them to think that I am disrespectful of their laws or of them. I have seen Italians cleaning up after American garbage that was left incorrectly, and they did not look to happy about it. Can you blame them?

I've cleaned up garbage after other Americans because I didn't want them to think it was us. And you know we all get lumped together. I wasn't too happy about it either. Can you blame me?

So, at least try to get it right. Ask an Italian neighbor if you're not sure. I'm sure that they'd be willing to help.

Aviano 411

Have you heard of this site?!

http://www.basebulletinboard.com/aviano411/

Why didn't you tell me?

It lists information about shops, restaurants, employment opportunities, and a heck of a lot more. Seems like a great resource for us. And if you have information, email the folks and ask them to add it to the list.

Awesome!

Aviano Blogs

I began this blog because it was difficult to get good information about the area before {and even after} we got here. I wanted it to be a place for advice and information about the base and area. After several PCS's over the years, this has been a real tough one for a variety of reasons. I have heard many people express frustration about the base, the area, housing, and Italians! I feel like being well-informed makes everything a little easier. So I thought throwing a little information out there might help.

Fortunately, I have made a couple of local bloggy friends who felt the same way. There are 2 other lovely ladies who also run blogs here at Aviano. The funny thing is I think we could all write about the same thing and you'd get 3 completely different takes on it!

So without further ado, allow me to introduce the adorably funny Ms. Tessa at Ciao, Blogga. A new military spouse who cracks me up with her funny pictures and stories. She definitely has a unique and fresh perspective on the military life and life at Aviano!

The other Aviano blog that you simply must check out is Aviano Dolce Vita. Ah, the sweet life! This blog has links for just about anything in and around our area. She is great at posting all of the local festivals. And there are a LOT of those! A great source to reference for just about any local information.

Do you have an Aviano blog that I could add to my blog roll? Or do you visit another site that has tons of great Aviano info? If so, let me know about it!

Shipping Your Dog or Cat with AMC

If you're PSCing to Aviano and will be traveling with AMC {taking the rotator}, your family is allowed two pets. AMC defines pets as dogs and cats. That isn't to say that you cannot ship any other types of animals, but any other type of animal will likely have its own special rules and you will need to contact your TMO office to learn what those rules are.

One of the best reasons to fly AMC with a pet is that they do not impose a seasonal embargo. Which means, if you are PSCing in the summer or winter, you will not have to watch the weather to make sure that it doesn't spike above or dip below a magic number before you board. That takes a lot of stress off the pet owner!

Commercial airlines do impose pet embargoes and take them very seriously, and for good reason. If the cargo area of the aircraft is not heated or cooled, it could be a serious danger to the animal. Even though AMC does not impose these restrictions you should definitely learn about them and keep them in mind in the, likely, event that a leg of your trip is on a commercial airline.

If you have more than 2 animals, you will have to move them under the Space-Available Pet Program. I have not had any experience with this program. We only have 1 dog. But I have had experience with Space-A "Human Program"....we didn't get on the plane. There was no more "space available". Hopefully, the pet program has better odds.

Your pet must have all of the documentation that I mentioned before, like the rabies certificate and pet passport. I made copies of all of these documents and put them in document protectors and attached them directly to the kennel. The originals were in a folder to be hand-carried.

The animal's kennel must be approved for air shipment following IATA (International Air Transportation Association) guidelines. The IATA has very specific guidelines regarding the size of the kennel, in regards to the size of the animal, and the types of materials that the kennel can be made of and the amount of necessary ventilation available. 

When I was shopping for ours at a big box pet supply store in the U.S., several kennels had tags claiming approval by commercial airlines or by IATA. No airlines endorse particular kennels, nor does the IATA, but most of the kennels available, in fact, meet the standards. Your main concern is probably going to be determining the size you need. So before you go shopping, follow the links I've provided with the IATA guidelines and kennel requirements, do the math to determine the size you need for your dog or cat. Your kennel cannot be soft sided or collapsible. If you show up at the gate with the wrong kind of or size of kennel, you will be turned away. Remember it's all for the safety of your furry loved one!

While you may have a free ride on the rotator, your pet does not. You are charged per kennel. If the pet and its kennel have a combined weight of 70 lbs or less, it is charged as 1 item. Our dog {22lbs} and her kennel cost about $100 to fly. That is $100 per leg of the trip. If you are changing flights {highly likely}, you will be paying double. Be prepared for that.

Pet & kennel weight of 71-140 lbs, is charged as 2 pieces. 141-150 lbs, is 3 pieces.

*Pets and kennels with a combined weight of more than 150 lbs WILL NOT be accepted under any circumstances. If you've got big dogs, this may be a concern for you. Look into it so there are no sad surprises at the gate.

AMC has a brochure with their rules, as well as a lot of great travel tips for your pets. It's a definite must read!

This can be a very stressful portion of your move, but if you have everything in order, have read, understood, and followed the rules, it will likely go smoothly. It is still best to plan for contingencies. Have a friend or family member on standby in case your furry family member needs a temporary home until you get settled in Italy. Plan for the worst and hope for the best!

Next time, I'll talk about shipping your pet by commercial airlines and unaccompanied shipping options. There are a lot of options out there! You just need to find out what works best for you and your pet.

Hi Ho Hi Ho!

Hold up just a minute! If you are not the military member, you may not be off to work as quickly as you'd hoped. One of the biggest complaints that I hear from spouses is not being able to find a job here.

First, your expectations of having a job in your field are lowered. Then, you find that you really can't find any type of job at all...sometimes for several months.

Here's the deal. Buried somewhere in the lenghty SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) that we have with Italy is an agreement that military members, and their dependents, will not seek employment in the community while stationed in Italy. There's a lot more in there as well, but that's the part that affects most of us. This is pretty standard at most overseas locations. We can't be taking jobs away from the locals.

So on base it is. But then, how many people are applying for the same handful of jobs? Hundreds!

But don't get frustrated! Jobs open up...eventually. The PCS rotation is 3 to 4 years, so if you keep your resume current and keep checking in you'll get something....eventually. Just be prepared to wait.

Here are a few websites to help you on your job hunt:

Jobs at places like Outdoor Rec, CDC, AYP, Base Club, etc
http://nafjobs.org/viewjobs.aspx

Jobs with government orgs like DODEA (base schools) and DECA (Commissary)
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/advanced.aspx

Jobs at the BX
http://www.shopmyexchange.com/AboutExchange/Careers/


A lot of people sign up to be substitute teachers while they wait for something permanent to open up for them. It provides some income at least and fills your time.

Other folks decide to make money their own way. If you have a skill that you'd like to share, some talented spouses teach classes at the Youth Center, Community Center, or the Craft Store. Legally, this is sort of in the grey, but pet sitting, hauling (if you bring a large truck), cleaning homes, cake decorating, and home childcare seem to be pretty popular ways to earn a little extra cash here too.

On home childcare, I'll probably cover childcare as a completely different issue at some point {and believe me it is a real ISSUE here!}...but for now, if you've been a base childcare provider, gone through the extensive training, and the home inspections, and the hard work of creating a good home childcare facility, I am very very sorry to say that you will not be doing that here at Aviano. I really mean that I am very very sorry! I have been fortunate enough in the past to meet some fantastic base childcare providers who my children {and I} adored. Unfortunately though, home businesses cannot be sanctioned by the base. So the lists from the Youth Center with the ladies who we love and trust with our sweet little ones, the lists that we all depend on when we get to a new base, are nonexistent here. Just be prepared for that!

So check out those sites. You can even apply or send in your resumes before you get here and maybe that will cut your wait time down a bit. My best advice is to temper yourself for a wait and be patient. Take advantage of the extra time that you have during your temporary "unemployment". Go to the gym. Take the Italian classes. Maybe take a college class. Volunteer. Nap. Shop. Drink wine. Whatever helps you get through it!

The Hairy Heartbeat of Your Home

{Yes, I totally stole the title from the More Than commercial. Unless of course you haven't seen that commercial.....in that case, it's completely original.}

I was particularly worried about shipping our dog to Italy from the U.S. I had heard horror stories of people being turned away at the airport, for any variety of reasons, left scrambling to find care and transportation for their pets. And quite honestly, I can say that I have seen this first-hand a few times...and for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, things went quite smoothly for us, but I attribute that to a great deal of research and preparation. I was a nervous wreck about it and making sure that I had every contingency planned for soothed my nerves!

My advice is START EARLY. If you even think that you may be getting orders overseas, go ahead and get your dogs or cats chipped if they aren't already. Specifically, your pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784 or 11785. Huh?! Yea, I don't know what that means, but I do know that Homeagain microchips are recognized in Europe and in the States so that seems like the easiest way to go. Widely available, reasonably priced, easy to continue registration online. Easy peasy.

Are there other options? Yea. Easier options? I can't imagine it.

In addition to being chipped, dogs and cats must also have a current rabies shot. The shot must be administered between 30 days and 11 months from the date of travel. While I do not see it on the checklist from the vet clinic, my dog also required a blood test that had to be completed at least 3 months before depature. Because there are specific dates and timelines that must be met, it can feel like you're doing some sort of paperwork limbo.

If your base has a veterinary clinic, rely heavily on their knowledge of the process. They've done this before and they have all of the regulations at their fingertips. {Though I still researched the topic to death! Did I mention I was a nervous wreck?}

The vet clinic at our losing base had very limited number of available appointments and was generally difficult for me to use. So, I got all of the documents that I needed from them and used my civilian vet to accomplish all of the necessary shots and bloodwork. Because she was not familiar with the process of pet exportation, we worked closely, I explained the process, and then I had all paperwork double-checked by the base clinic. Totally worth the extra legwork!

Ouch! Don't remind me!

After all of the shots, chips, bloodwork, x-rays, MRIs....okay, maybe it wasn't all THAT bad, but after all the actual work is done, you will still have to visit either your base clinic or a USDA-accredited vet to complete your pet's Bilingual Veterinary Health Certificate {Pet Passport}. This is accomplished within 10 days of travel. The certificate expires 10 days after the date of the vet's signature.

You really should plan for delays in travel and wait as late as you can before getting this completed, that is to say, as close to your actual date of travel as possible. My husband got stuck in Germany for 2 days while traveling with our dog. There were mechanical problems with the aircraft. He didn't know how long he would be there. Her paperwork was for Italy ONLY which meant he needed to get to Italy before those 10 days expired. {Did I mention I was a nervous wreck about the dog?}

All ended well though. They made it here safe and sound.

There is a lot more to say about bringing your pet to Italy and I plan to cover that in the next few weeks. There are differences in commercial and AMC rules regarding pets. There are weight limits, required fees, and equipment guidelines that must be met. Hopefully, having some of this information will help you have fewer sleepless nights than I did.

Decoding Your Italian Home

"You turned the microwave on while the dryer was running?! What were you thinking?"

"Okay, let me think...I need to bake and do laundry. I'd better unplug the computer."

Don't be surprised if you hear yourself saying things like this when you're getting settled in your new home! You may be shocked to find out what items can and cannot be used at the same time in your house. And each house is different! I'd love to give you the "code". Nothing would make me happier than to make a list.

Dryer+TV+Computer=OK
Microwave+Oven+Vacuum=OK
Computer+Air Conditioner+Dryer=BAD!

But I can't! Our electricity goes out nearly every Monday afternoon because that is my big laundry and cleaning day. At some point during the day, I will try to microwave lunch while I'm both washing and drying laundry, or vacuum while the dishwasher is running. Then, I'm stomping outside in my slippers, grumbling while I flip the switch. Allora!

When you move into your rental, you have the option of paying a ridiculously high amount to increase the amount of electricity your home can consume. Not only do you pay to have the amount raised {an electrician has to physically come to your home and reset some things on your meter}, but you also have to pay a little more for the actual wattage that you use. Sooo...you pay for the convenience of not having to unplug your fridge anytime you want to run the dryer!

Here's the kicker...We did this! We paid more than I'd care to admit to have our limit raised and it still pops on a fairly regular basis. We are in a brand-new very energy efficient home....and it still pops. It can really get frustrating!

I cannot tell you whether or not it is worth your money to increase the amount of electricity that you will be able to use in your home. It will depend on your family size and lifestyle. Most of all though, I think it depends on the amount of disruption you are okay with in your daily lives.

So is it worth the extra expense? I'd have to say, for us, yes it has been worth every penny. I cannot imagine how difficult things would be if we hadn't!

Hang in There!

If you're coming from the U.S. and haven't left yet, rush out RIGHT NOW and stock up on as many of these as you can get your mitts on!

These will become your best friends when you start to decorate your Italian abode. Why? Because the walls are made from a cement-like material and, short of drilling, these are the easiest way to hang things.

Nails are absolutely a no-go! I bent several in the beginning. Worse than bending them though....they chip away at the wall material with each swing of the hammer and make some nasty looking holes. Holes that are quite likely to be expensive when we leave! {Oops!}

The velcro picture hangers from 3M have been a real life saver! They really can hold a lot of weight and have held up for a full year now.

The BX carries a limited variety of hooks, but I have not seen any of the velcro picture hanging strips there. I haven't seen either at local stores. So stock up before you come!



The 3M hooks even withstand the weather! This puppy has been on my exterior door for a full year now. 



I have had limited success with these. You wet the cloth portion at the top which has an adhesive and press it to the wall. After the adhesive has dried, hang your item. Simple enough. I have used these for a few small frames, but never anything that would cause devastation should it fall.

In my experience, these do tend to stick up higher than the pictures. They blend in with the the color of my walls, so for me it's not a problem. I'm sure you could paint them if that was an issue though.


I purchased these off base, I believe at a hardware store.

Adhesive picture hanger....in action! Can you even see it at the top? Blends in pretty well!



These are what you are advised to use on your walls when you get here. {Or at least we were}  Bad advice!

The idea is that you hammer those short metal pins into the wall and hang your item from the hook. The larger size ones have those metal bits and you use a small nail in the center as well.

"Ummm, didn't you just say nails are bad?" Why, yes! Yes I did!

These little buggers are a major pain in the tuchus. The troubles with these things are too numerous to list here. I have had things fall, pounded craters into my walls, and used way too much adult language trying to get these to work.

There are probably other ways to hang items on these walls, but I'll put my money on the 3M hooks every time though. So far they haven't let me down and I know that I can take them with me when I go.

In the event everything in my house should fall immediately upon posting this though, I will pop back in with a different review I'm sure!



{The good folks at 3M don't even know I exist. These are solely my opinions based on my experience with these products.}

You're Not in Iowa Anymore

What is the most common sight when you leave the gates of Aviano AB?

It's got to be this, right? Gorgeous vineyards with budding grapes just waiting to be turned into your favorite Pinot or Cabernet or whatever you like flowing in your glass. I mean you're in Italy. Gotta be vineyards.

Well, don't be surprised if, instead of feeling like you've gotten off the plane in the Mediterranean, you feel like you're in the Midwest. This is what you are more likely to see.

CORN! CORN! CORN!

It's everywhere! I genuinely felt like we were driving through Iowa again when we got here last year. It was quite a shocker! Having been to the Mediterranean in the past, this is not what I expected nor is it what I saw in my previous travels. Northern Italy may not be quite what you have in mind when you think of Italy.

But look just beyond that corn.

Look at those beautiful mountains. Those are everywhere too!

And there are lovely vineyards....just not as many as I imagined.

What's going on around here?

One of the first things I did when researching our new assignment to Aviano AB was sign up for the Weekly Wyvern. This is a weekly report sent to the email address of your choice. Anyone can sign up! The weekly report includes happenings on base, as well as the local area.

It also includes a link to The Compass which is a semi-monthly newsletter with tons of information about the local area. Of particular interest are the travel reports in each newsletter. The lucky folks who write these articles travel throughout Europe and give us all the juicy details.

So, go, get to it! Sign up now....

Subscribe to the Weekly Wyvern, an e-mail sent every Friday with news, information and upcoming local events. To subscribe, e-mail your information to 31fw.panews@aviano.af.mil.

Welcome!

If you've found this site, it's probably because you're on your way to Aviano AB, Italy. Hooray! You are quite likely the envy of all your co-workers, family, and friends. Hurry get your passports and get ready to slow down!

Wait, what?

Italians are perhaps the most relaxed people I've ever encountered....unless they're in their cars. So let's take this slow, slow journey together through northern Italy. Off we go......