rhw Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 I almost don't even know where to start...sigh.... Before the year is over my husband and I will be moving to Sicily. My husband is in the Military and we have orders there. It's coming FAST and I am NOT READY!!! They are moving us there just before Christmas. So we will be in a whole new world away from our families just in time for the holidays (not that we live near our families now). When we get there we won't have anything... none of our home furnishings...our car...nothing and that will be the case for up to 3 months. It's going to be a complete and utter shock. I've never been to Europe and I have NO IDEA what to except. It's scary. Please don't get me wrong I am excited and I am truly grateful for the chance to be able to do this and I know once we get there and get settled I will be OK. But right now it's a lot to absorb and the unknown is stressing me out. My husband has a sponsor there who is supposed to help us and answer our questions, but I guess the guy hasn't been in any sort of contact with my husband and doesn't respond to any emails. There is so much that I need to know! Does anyone here know anything about Sicily? I know there is probably a difference between civilian and military life, but any advice would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment
dias Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 I haven't been to Sicily but i have visited other cities of Italy. I believe that you will have an amazing time Link to comment
Seraphim Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 OMG , my husband was in Sicily with the military for five months! He LOVED LOVED LOVED it there . Link to comment
rhw Posted October 28, 2015 Author Share Posted October 28, 2015 Everyone I have talked to has had nothing but good things to say about it. My biggest hang up is the driving and the language barrier. The move is going to be stressful. I can't get out of my own head LOL Link to comment
Seraphim Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Are you going to Sigonella? Link to comment
sara-pezzini Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Most people in Europe speak English so don't worry! Think of it as an adventure! I've never been to Sicily but been to Italy and it's truly wonderful! And Sicily is supposed to be really beautiful. Try to enjoy the time because i will fly by Link to comment
Seraphim Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 There are a lot of British people in Sicily so you'll find quite a few people do speak English. Link to comment
ParisPaulette Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 I have family in Italy, not in Sicily, but generally Italy is a laid back, warm, friendly country. People will be curious about you, people will talk to you, it will be beautiful and you will love it there. There will be plenty of people who speak English and everyone else will be more than happy to teach you Italian if you ask them for help. It will be rough being away for the holidays, but you will enjoy it. If I could live in Italy anywhere permanently I'd have gone a long time ago. It is by far my favorite country and the only one in Europe I do call home. My ancestors are from Italy and I have relatives that live near Rome. I've been three times and it's just always such an adventure. You'll find other military families too who will take you under their wing and introduce you around. You will likely look back on this time down the road and remember it as one of your happiest. Also be prepared to discover some of the best food and wine and just people who love to talk on the planet. Enjoy! Link to comment
Hermes Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Rhw. You'll have a wonderful time. You won't want to go home, lol. We're an OK bunch of people over here in Europe! Link to comment
Animal Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 I have family in Italy, not in Sicily, but generally Italy is a laid back, warm, friendly country. People will be curious about you, people will talk to you, it will be beautiful and you will love it there. There will be plenty of people who speak English and everyone else will be more than happy to teach you Italian if you ask them for help. It will be rough being away for the holidays, but you will enjoy it. If I could live in Italy anywhere permanently I'd have gone a long time ago. It is by far my favorite country and the only one in Europe I do call home. My ancestors are from Italy and I have relatives that live near Rome. I've been three times and it's just always such an adventure. You'll find other military families too who will take you under their wing and introduce you around. You will likely look back on this time down the road and remember it as one of your happiest. Also be prepared to discover some of the best food and wine and just people who love to talk on the planet. Enjoy! One word: PIZZA(the REAL pizza, NOT the Papa John's/Domino's/Pizza Hut crap that passes for "pizza" here) Link to comment
rhw Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 Are you going to Sigonella? Yep! Going to Sigonella. For 3 years. Link to comment
rhw Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 Thank you ALL for your replies, you have put my mind at ease a little. I know it's going to be a wonderful experience in the long run. I guess it's just the getting there part and the stress that comes along with it that is making me spin. I mean this is the MOTHER OF ALL MOVES! It still feels surreal and I feel it will until we step off that plane. I am definitely excited for all the wine, food and fresh markets! And of course the traveling that we will get to do...oh the places we will see.... places I wouldn't even imagine going in my wildest dreams. I also know it will go by fast. I just want to get there and get on with it. The anticipation is killing me and there is definite tension between my husband and I because we are both feeling the stress. Link to comment
Seraphim Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Oh man I would love an OUTCAN posting ! Link to comment
rhw Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 Oh man I would love an OUTCAN posting ! What is that??? Link to comment
Seraphim Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 What is that??? I am Canadian so our international postings are called " OUTCAN" . My husband was in Sigonellla and Trapani. They were based there to jump to a troubled hotspot a few years ago. He had some holiday time there as well and went to Malta. They came home via the Azores. Link to comment
rhw Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 I am Canadian so our international postings are called " OUTCAN" . My husband was in Sigonellla and Trapani. They were based there to jump to a troubled hotspot a few years ago. He had some holiday time there as well and went to Malta. They came home via the Azores. Gotcha I've never even left the country. Well, besides Mexico, but that was before you even needed a passport to get in. My husband being in the Military has traveled the world. He has seen many countries and all walks of life, so for him this is nothing. To me, it's huge! HUGE! I don't know what I am going to do with myself. Link to comment
Seraphim Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 No life like it. Just 13 more years to retirement . My husband wants to serve until he forced to retire at 60. Combined Reserve and Reg Force time he has served 29 years already. I have been a military partner for 27 years. Link to comment
rhw Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 No life like it. Just 13 more years to retirement . My husband wants to serve until he forced to retire at 60. Combined Reserve and Reg Force time he has served 29 years already. I have been a military partner for 27 years. I do remember you telling me you were a Military spouse, it's nice to have a fellow spouse on here Someone who "gets it". I haven't been a Military wife quite as long as you, but we are working on it. We've been in 7 years and I do say WE because I've been with him every step of the way and we've done the back to back deployment thing. It's going to be neat because like I said, he has seen the world and I've lived through him and FINALLY we get to experience something great together. When I start to feel the stress, I need to remind myself of the great adventure to come. Link to comment
Seraphim Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 I do remember you telling me you were a Military spouse, it's nice to have a fellow spouse on here Someone who "gets it". I haven't been a Military wife quite as long as you, but we are working on it. We've been in 7 years and I do say WE because I've been with him every step of the way and we've done the back to back deployment thing. It's going to be neat because like I said, he has seen the world and I've lived through him and FINALLY we get to experience something great together. Yes , that's going to be an exciting journey for you both!! We've never been somewhere international together. And we probably won't be this late in the game. But you never know! Link to comment
Seraphim Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 My husband was Army before but now he's Air Force. What branch is your husband? Our son is in college now so we don't want to leave our location. Link to comment
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