Jeannie's Advice for Americans
Moving to Naples

Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2001 16:19:06 -0600
From: Jeannie Cole <Jeannie@theColeFamily.com>
Subject: Bella Napoli

At 15:35 01/02/2001 -0500, you wrote:
>Hello Jeannie,
>
>My name is Debbie and my husband and I were recently notified of an
>assignment to Naples.  We are both in the Air Force and will be going there
>together with our two boys (11 and 13).  We will be reporting for duty there
>in early February.
>
>I read with great interest many of your letters home during your time at
>Naples in the early 80s but was wondering if there is any advice you can
>offer as we get ready to make a move there.  We will be stationed there for
>3 years and so far have heard many bad things about the assignment and
>very little good.
>
>Thank you so very much for your time and sharing your memories of your
>assignment there.
>
>Debbie


Dear Debbie,

I am excited for you to be going to Naples. I know things have changed 
drastically since the 80's, so I'm not sure how much help I can be. Key 
words: flexibility and attitude, attitude, attitude. If you have never 
been stationed outside the U.S., you may be in for quite an eye-opening 
experience. There were many irritations (unreliable electricity, few had 
phones, etc.), but overall we loved our European experience.

My children were preschoolers while we were stationed there -- that is a 
very pliable age. They were as happy as Mom and Dad were. It may be 
different with older kids who know what they are missing back home. Just 
keep reminding them of the experiences they are having that few American 
kids have. Make it a special and unique experience that will give them a 
leg-up on their current friends' activities.

There were families stationed there that were miserable, and there were 
families who loved every minute (ok, almost) of their time abroad. It is 
all in the attitude. My husband was the military one; I was not working. So 
when Michael got frustrated with the hospital, he would come home and say,
"Let's get away from here, where do you want to go?" We'd take off and have
a grand adventure.

I guess basically what I am saying is that it is all in the attitude. If 
you are the kind of person who lets conditions get you down, you may all be 
miserable. If you are adventurous and generally happy where ever you are, 
you'll probably do fine and might even find, as we did, that we loved our 
time there even though we missed our extended family tremendously.

We have been back to the Naples area twice since being stationed there and 
would go again tomorrow if time and money would agree.

On your initial experience with the Neapolitans, you may think they are 
rude and self-centered. That generally applies only as they are driving or 
have to wait. (They really resist lining up -- like kindergartners.) Don't let 
that discourage you. In fact, we found it a great sport to drive 
aggressively and not be intimidated by the pushy men. It was a game that was 
hard to give up when we got back to the States. Once you get to know the 
Neapolitans, they are as sweet as teddy bears inside. Just learn to smile 
but insist it is your turn. Somehow they respect that.

The church we attended while we were there was great. They became our 
family away from home and helped make the adjustment smoother. We attended 
the Church of Christ that met on Sunday mornings in Bagnoli and in homes on 
Sunday nights. I'm not sure what their schedule is now, but they are still there, 
and I can find out more information for you if you would like.

Have fun and try to run around with the others who are enjoying their stay, 
and avoid those who are miserable. Think positively, take advantage of the 
travel, and eat lots of pizza and gelati (Italian ice cream).

~~Jeannie

<Jeannie@theColeFamily.com>