Like a Knife Through Butter

Who would have thought it - the administrative department here at the institute is like a well oiled chainsaw, cutting through stacks of Italian bureaucracy like a hot knife through butter. In one day I have a signed contract, and already have an entry pass. I have decided on a flat and all associated paperwork is being completed. Tomorrow I sign that contract too and open a bank account.
Amazing.

What could go wrong? ...

PS - a little aside: I just noticed that that blurred picture of me, top-left, was actually taken in Italy. We were holidaying in Tuscany when Yousef was just 3 (I think) and that pic is taken outside of the main cathedral in Florence (although I can't remember its name!). Horizontal stripes in various shades of terracotta and cream and grey - a feature of the churches and cathedrals here.

Genoa is Vertical

It will never cease to amaze me how it is possible to build building after building on higher and higher slopes - one road overlooking a 5 storey apartment block and yet another overlooking the apartments on that road!

Well, I have used some serious shoe-leather today and travelled on many buses as well as been transported around by car. I have seen most of the nice places to live in Genova proper while viewing six different apartments in a single day. Castello is stupidly high up, but I saw a beautiful flat there. Piazza Martinez and the surrounding streets are ideal living areas. Great shops really nice atmosphere, and some magnificent palacial apartment blocks. I think the nicest place I saw was in that area.
The best place though was I think on the Corsa Europa. 3 bedrooms plus a good sized living room. Kitchen, bathroom and extra toilet. 4 balconies, and a view of the sea! What more could you want?
All yours for 850 euros a month!

So, Italy looks great, the people in the office are very helpful, and it looks as if we might find somewhere nice to live. La vita bella!

Ciao!

Last days in UK - rapidly approaching

It has been a most unpleasant couple of weeks. Depths of a killer-flu, and interminable amount of work, and continuing uncertainty about my move to Italy.

I hope the uncertainty is resolved next week. I spend a week in Genoa from Monday, and I hope to get both my work contract sorted and find a place for us to live. Flat options seem to be stuck well outside of Genoa at the moment, but I will know much more when I get there.

My thesis is still not submitted. It is definitely not what I wanted it to be, but for sure I will hand something in by 18th April. I just hope it is good enough.

My last week in the UK will be 14th-20th April. Last D&D game on the 15th. Submit to ICDL by 16th. Leaving do on 17th. Hand thesis in 18th. Pack. Leave!