FAQ on our Big Move: Q&A
So here's a common Q&A!
Q: When are you moving?
A: Good question and we aren't really sure! The DoD is anything but transparent and expedient! Our best guess right now is sometime between Thanksgiving and mid Dec. At one point we though mid Oct so the timeline changes a lot and quickly. We are waiting on paperwork at the moment. We need the official orders to get our official non tourist passports. We need those official passports to get visas.
Q: Will you sell or rent the house?
A: We will be selling the house and it will go on the market as soon as we have those elusive orders in hand. It's a good time to sell. We can make decent money and that will help off set some of the financial changes that are inevitable.
Q: What will Brian actually be doing?
A: Brian will actually be doing work for the US military base in Djibouti Africa! After leaving Afghanistan, this base is now the primary location for joint work done in the Middle East. Brian and his team are in charge of the infrastructure money going into that base. He will be going there a few times a year but we will live and work out of Naples Italy. Teaching Kiniiya to say Djibouti has been awesome!
Q: Where will you live?
A: We have options and are keeping an open mind. When we arrive we will live in a hotel for 3 months while touring different options. We will either live in the country side with a lot of outdoor space, maybe a pool, and even olive or lemon trees but away from amenities and Italian city life. Or we will live in a Naples apartment in the bustle of town. Lots of pros and cons. Grateful we have some time to make that decision.
Q: Will Kelly teach?
A: No:( This one is hard. There is a complicated NATO SOFA agreement with the Italian and US governments. The Dept of Defense school there is hard to get into and can take up to 9 months to get that ball rolling. I'm not allowed to work off base so that also rules out working for a cruise line in the Port of Naples. I will likely sub, hoping it works like subbing does here. This is the biggest leap of unplanned faith I've done. I have to trust it will work out. I'll likely not work for the first half year or so.
Q: What about Olaf?
A: Getting Olaf to Italy will be an immense challenge with his smooshed face and being in his golden years. We've resigned ourselves to "whatever it takes" and are working on details. Luckily there are no quarantine issues like moving to Hawaii just a lot of expensive logistics.
Q: Can we come visit?
A: PLEASE! We know how badly we will miss people and feel the isolation of "across the pond." We intend on having at least one extra bedroom and hope people will use it as a base to explore Italy! Naples isn't the most picturesque part of Italy but Rome is an hour train away and Pompeii is right next door!
Q: How long will you be gone?
A: Our initial commitment is for 3 years but it could easily morph into 5 years. We are trying to stay open minded.
Q: Is there curling in Naples?
A: No:( However the 2026 Olympics will be in Milan, which is a 5hr train ride away! We've been told there are many bonspiels all across Europe, year round, so we will bring our stuff! This part will be hard, but one lesson from Covid is that we will be ok without curling if necessary. We will also be closer to volunteer at some of the WCF events!
Q: Did you go to Italy this summer because you knew you were moving?
A: Nope, but we see why it might seem that way! Our three week trip to Italy in summer of 2022 was a postponed 2020 trip. We got the job offer on June 1st so we did know we'd be moving before we got to our Italy vacation which was incredibly handy!
Q: How did Jackie, Ed, Dick, and Lanie take the news?
A: Like absolute champs! Dad moved to Alaska on a similar "short term" opportunity! We were very grateful to be in Canada when we got the offer and be able to process with Dad and Lanie. Jackie and Ed have been just as supportive! We are so grateful to have parents that love and support us especially during this time!
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