Cutting Through the Tape - Part II
The saga continues…
When we last saw our hero, he was knee deep in nastro rosso and fighting his way towards the tourism office in Catanzaro.
Scene IV: APT Tourism Office in Catanzaro
“Here you go, sir. All of our invoices and receipts for the construction, new furniture, linens, etc. etc. etc…”
Tourism Man: “Oh, yea…about that. You can only use “new” receipts - things you spent after you opened. The old ones aren’t eligible.”
“But, you are the one who told me what to do.”
Tourism Man: “Yes, I know. But, you can make up new receipts and just pay the VAT again.”
“Did the law change?”
Tourism Man: “No.”
“Well, then why did you tell me to go ahead last year?”
Tourism Man (shrugs): “This is just the law, Sir.”
After dealing with defected coffee machines, phantom phone calls, and misspelled city names, he called it a morning.
We discussed the situation and attempted to play the Glad Game.
“Well,” I said. “We can buy another coffee machine to use at the B&B now, and then we will have it when we finish the new house.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” he agreed.
Problem #1 - Settled!
—
“We’ll go finish up that stuff with the Questura on Monday…It’s not a big deal,” I promised.
“Yea…ok.”
Problem #2 - Done!
—
“You got the marriage certificate in the end, right?!? So, that worked out.”
“Yes.” Then, he added, “The guy was even nice.”
Problem #3 - Not even a problem!
—
“So…no money, eh?” I asked glumily.
“Nope.”
“Wow. I think I am going to cry…” I warned him.
“Why?”
“That’s 20 thousand euros. I’m in shock!”
“No, sweetie. It was 22 thousand euros.”
“I guess we know where the buck stops, huh?”
“Yep. Right in front of us!”
12 responses to “Cutting Through the Tape - Part II”
March 12th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Oh Cherrye, I’m so sorry about the money!
That man deserves an ass kickin though. 22,000 euro is not chump change!
March 12th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Hi Cherrye,
I found your blog a few weeks ago and ended up reading through your entire archive! You have such an interesting story — moreso to me because I live in NYC and my fiance in Taormina and I are trying to figure out how to get around the 6000 mile difference. One of our ideas was opening a B&B, as that was always a dream of mine. Anyways, I really enjoy your writing…and I’m sorry to hear about the latest red tape incident!
vespa.rosso@gmail.com [that was a typo when I created my account]
March 12th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
March 12th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I wish converting that to dollars would soften the blow…alas….
Boo.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Oh that just so sad. Wow that’s a lot of money. It sounds to me like you both are due some justice.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
It sounds so glum, but I know you Cherrye…You will make good of this yet. I’ve never seen you go without making a bad thing better and flashing that million dollar smile I know you for.
You and Pep keep your heads up. You have a wonderful business, beautiful marriage and many great friends (and us family too)!
March 12th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Yesterday I was laughing as I read your part 1 but now with part 2 I cannot laugh. Poor thing, but you guys will get through and hopefully get the money…most probably later rather then sooner however. Glad you are trying to think on the bright side - you need to!
March 12th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
and the “glad game” was going so well at first…
it’s a bit frightening how rules change over here without any notification, justification or logic.
I’m so sorry about you day. I hope the B&B has the best year ever to more than make up for it.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Oh man! I hope we won’t have any surprises here in Milan. We just renovated our house and are hoping to get some money back from the taxman. Now I’m worried…
March 14th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
SERIOUSLY!! OW that hurts!
Sending you another hug!!
Really hoping with you for better and brighter days ahead!!
March 14th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Agreed, G. It is a BUNCH of money!!
Vespa - Wow. Sounds like we have a lot in common. We’ll need to email about all of this!
NYC
yep!
Michelle - No. That is worse!!!
It is sad, Nadine. Nothing we can do, I guess.
Thanks for the words, Brandi!!
Yea, Leanne. Part 1 was much easier to deal with!
Thank you, Maggie. I hope so, too. I know we will be ok, but…
Oh, Linda!! I hope it is ok!!
Thanks, Louise! I needed that hug.
March 16th, 2008 at 1:07 am
I was looking for a happier post to comment on, that wasn’t too old, but thought this one would do. One of my closest friends has been teaching abroad for the last 10years, so I’m so used to hearing about the various governments and how their stories always change. I’m glad that at least some things are working out in your favor.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leading me here. I’ll be sticking around for a bit
Whatcha thinking?