Picture This

Today we had to get our permesso di soggiorno (permit to stay in Italy).  From what we have heard, we knew this was going to be a long process.  Everyone that already processed theirs said they waited over two hours...oh boy.  We arrived at the post office, and it looked just a DMV.  The lines were long and the people were miserable. However, after waiting about five minutes, I ran into my friends Erin and Aaron and they told us there was a guy in the back who would process our permit without us even waiting.  Not only did we get to skip the massive line, but this guy was a trip!  Picture this: black suspenders with white music notes, German flag patches on his shirt, sideburns, a handlebar mustache, and George Costanza bald.

 I walk up with one other person from our program and Luigi (that is what we called him) asks his first question, "You Irish?"
Eric-"...No, German."
Me-"I am Irish."
Luigi-"Last name?"
Me-"Stephens."
Luigi-"Hmm ok."

Looks at my address and goes, "You live with a Daveres? (My friend Erin who was here earlier today).

Luigi-"Is she here?  Where is she at?  Is she over there (points to the waiting area.)?  She came with a little friend (Aaron).  Where are they?  Is your school Catholic?

Me-(In my head "Well, obviously....")
Luigi-"Uh nuns!  I hated Catholic School."

Once he sees my home address, this begins a whole other adventure.  He is also from the States, Connecticut...but apparently he isn't allowed back for a year.  He misses the maple syrup and marshmallows though...whatever that means.

Luigi-"New Jersey, HA!  Where in New Jersey?"
Me-"Atlantic City."
Luigi-"I've been there in the summer."
Me-(I give a sigh that clearly expresses that everyone comes in the summer.)
Luigi-"Near the ocean right?  Bruce Springsteen!  He wrote a song about there.  Where is he from though?"

Erin and Aaron show up and he was thrilled!  He told me that Erin and I had the same appointment time and I responded cool.

Luigi-"Your accent is so Jersey...cool."  (Shakes his head.)

I finished my permesso in under 20 mins and as an added bonus I got to experience Luigi, the Springsteen loving German American.


    "Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty, and meet me tonight in Atlantic City."
              ~Bruce Springsteen