U.S. customs is really starting to bug me. Why is it that every time I enter the country with an Italian, he or she is held up in customs by someone asking inane questions that have nothing to do with sniffing out terrorists? It could be that I'm full of hormones and overly emotional but it bothers me that Cristiano and I are separated going through customs (though obviously this happens in Italy as well as I have to go through the "non-EU" line and he goes with the Europeans). How will I explain to my child when we arrive in the U.S. that papi is different from us and can't stay in the same line? OK, I AM getting overly emotional.
Other than that, life in Middle America is just way too easy. Too much convenience. Too much of everything. We arrived in New York two days ago. I think. The last few days in Milan were a blur and I even went back to the emergency room again for violent stabbing pains but that's another story. I'm fine but must take it very easy on this trip.
Anyway, I know I left Milan for Zurich several days ago and that we spent one night in a hotel. From Zurich, I flew to New York. In New York my aunt (who lives in Connecticut but is a former Ohian like myself) picked us up so we could all travel to Ohio together. We stopped for the night in the middle of Pennsylvania and that's where I began to feel like I was back in the good old "free" U.S. again. Though Cristiano was standing there with passports and various official documents with important looking seals and stamps in hand, we checked into the hotel without having to present anything. My aunt's first name was sufficient. As I told Cristiano, "We are sleeping in their hotel not applying for political asylum." The front desk clerk helpfully pointed out an enormous ice machine where we could get free ice for our coolers or our drinks and Cristiano did one of his "I love you America but you are so weird" head shakes.
In a restaurant, I asked for a small drink and was given a two liter container with continuous free refills. People smile and are nice. I ask for something and it is given tenfold. There is no resistance. It is never "impossibile" because of some arbitrary rule probably invented for the sole purpose of avoiding doing the work. I don't feel like I need to constantly count my change or watch my back. I am not used to it anymore, and at times it actually irritates me! I asked for a small drink. Why do I have two liters?
I had forgotten that summer in America means wearing flannel pajamas and sleeping under down comforters. I mean, it actually never meant that for me because I have never been a fan of air conditioning but in hotels and in many people's homes, the air conditioning is kept so high, one must be dressed for the winter while indoors. All I can think of are all of the icebergs melting in Antarctica just so American homes and 7-Elevens (why are 7-Elevens always so ridiculously cold?) can be kept at pneumonia-inducing temps in the summer. I'm used to Italian style air conditioning now, which is this weak trickle of humid air that is maybe two degrees cooler than the temperature outside. My aunt kept the air in the car at the same temperature as a walk-in freezer (granted it was 101 degrees Fahrenheit outside but...) and when I complained she said, "If I have something, I'm going to use it" meaning, why do something if you aren't going to do it "right"? Yep, I'm back.
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18 comments:
I was just wondering how you're doing! We're about to leave ourselves... I hope you have a great trip and everything's ok.
I stopped by yesterday morning to see how you were doing. Not having seen anything new, I just figured you were busy getting ready for your trip. I am glad to read that you and Cristiano have arrived safe and sound. I know how you feel about the whole customs issue. My husband used to get pulled away each time we went back home from vacation. I'll never forget the time that I sat in one of those "waiting rooms" with my daughter, who was then 7 months, next to two men who were SHACKLED to the bench. I didn't know it at first. But when I did notice, I changed my seat! lol
Sorry to hear that you had yet another ER visit. Good to know that you are fine though.
I miss the conveniences of America. Sometimes when I think about it though, Americans have TOO much convenience at their disposal. I guess that's why it's so easy for them to take it for granted. Like the air conditioning, for example. I practically fell off my chair laughing when I got to this part... "I'm used to Italian style air conditioning now, which is this weak trickle of humid air that is maybe two degrees cooler than the temperature outside."
When I felt the Italian air conditioning in stores for the first time here, I wondered why they even bothered to turn it on?! Now, I am happy for even just that tiniest bit of relief on a scorching hot day. :)
Have a fun and safe stay.
michelle - since my dad is Swedish and my mother is Australian and I'm American American (and Swedish too now but only since 2005) - we often had that situation when I was a kid where daddy or mummy had to go wait in a different line when going through immigration. When I was little they usually let me go through with my parent even though technically I was probably in the wrong line. As an older kid though I remember feeling very grownup going through the "U.S. citizens" line while my mum (who had given up her greencard by then) went through the foreigners line.
Anyway, in the scheme of things it's really no big deal - and don't worry they're not going to rip your baby out Cristiano's arms and insist that he go through a different line by himself!
Have a great time in the US!
oops I meant american-australian not american american... ugh.
In airports in the EU my EU citizen husband always was in the same line as me-who was in the non EU line. In the US I always waited in the non-American citizens line. I never had any problems.
Gad you are enjoying your trip and buy a jacket for the freezing air conditioning temperaures.
We do the same as J.Doe. In EU airports and also in UK, my husband stands with me in the non EU line. Never had problems. Since we're not Americans, we both get to stand in the non US line together :)
Congratulation with your pregnancy
Michelle - same here as Kataroma and J.Doe - when my husband (italian) and I went to the states last year, he started out in the EU line, but the customs official I was talking to in the US line waved him over and said we should go together in the US line. Try it next time....anyway - have a great vacation all of you!
Like Laurie, when we went through we were allowed to go through together. As long as you're married, you can go through the US line.
That's one thing I don't miss about the US - the air conditioning. I hated having to put a sweater on because I was inside.
Enjoy your vacation!
I think we do have a lot of conviences here, but that's what makes life boring, everything is too easy and sometimes you miss out on the challenging moments because of it! Enjoy your vaca!
Glad to see you're blogging whilst in the US - I wasn't sure if you'd have time or not.
What is a large drink then if a small one is 2 litres?
Have a great time but remember to take it easy too :)
Sara,
Have a great trip! Enjoy the sunny south.
Giulia,
My friend was taken into the mini prison room for no apparent reason. Sounds very intimidating.
Kataroma,
It's really not that big a deal. I think I'm just full of hormones and overly emotional.
J.Doe, Indah, Laurie and MB,
I never even knew that was a possibility - that we could go through the line together. I figured we'd get yelled at. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try next time!
Italiana Americana,
I guess it depends where you live in the U.S. Living in New York is not easy. Yes, some things are convenient such as the fact that you can order food 24/7, etc. But it's a hard town. Though I really didn't mind it when I lived there. I think when things are too easy and convenient, your brain (and body) turn to mush. Where my mom lives, there are no sidewalks. That drives me nuts.
Delina,
Aww, thanks for thinking of me. Yes, I'm just sitting around getting fat. I can't do any of the things I normally do. I am a go-go person being forced to just sit as much as possible. But if it's for the best of the baby, obviously I'll do it. Stay cool in Naples - if that's possible.
Glad to hear that you guys are well and enjoying the Heartland to its fullest! Funny things about the store air conditioning many Italians stores have it blaring away with their doors wide open. Most convenience stores in the US do have it set too cold. I never could understand why the owners didn't do something when the bills arrive.
last time I went to the US with my husband and baby (all 3 of us NON US citizens) we were waved through to the 'family friendly' queue. Also for disabled I think. I was v impressed with that. Thank you Miami airport.
When i tried to enter italy with my husband and baby (EU line) i got yelled at as i didn't have a european passport. The guy said i HAD TO go in the non EU line as they needed to stamp my passport (and of course there are no stamps in the EU lines).
When we come to my country the line is for citizens and their families, so you needn't be separated based on teh passport you hold. When you are travelling with a baby this is great relief as you often get asked for something that the other one has. Good luck with when the time comes for you going back and forth....
Ciao! Glad you're doing well and I would say, enjoy the conveniences. I am agonizing over the fact that everything is completely closed and shut down in Rome. I'm going on vacation tomorrow though too, so I guess I shouldn't complain...if you can't beat em, join em!
As for customs, I've never tried going through the line together in the States because I haven't been back since Ale and I got married in March, but on our honeymoon we always went up to all the customs windows together as a married couple and never had any problems.
Glad to hear you arrived back in the States safely.
I laughed out loud when I read about the AC and the "small" soda.
We were told by US customs to go thru together as well - so now Franco always comes with me in the US line, and I go with him when we return to Italy. (hahahahaha that last part being a joke, since we never see customs when coming to Italy!)
My best AC story from this summer's vacation is getting in the hotel shuttle van at the Fairbanks, Alaska airport with the AC blasting away and 50 F. degrees and rain outside. Figure that one out!
A highlight was throwing a load of wash in a coin operated dryer in Anchorage -- what a treat!!
Enjoy the conveniences, I am already back and almost miss the ice in my bottomless drink.
So true! I dont even know if you will see this comment as I am posting so long after you have written it, but I am slowly making my way though your blog and I just had to say "complimenti" for addressing Italy as it really is, and not just posting beautiful photos and recipes. I have been here for 5 years and as much as I love it, I fully relate so the experience of going back to America and everything just seeming nice and America just being easy. I love that you're blog talks about actually living here, working here, and communicating here. Brava!
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