Well progress continues on the outside project. Antonio and I had decided on the design and now we just needed to communicate with the officials from the Comune di Casal Velino and then we could start - or so I thought. I knew this was going too smoothly.
So Luigi tells me "his friend" from the Comune would come on a Monday to review our project. Prior to that Antonio had delivered all the wood for the gazebo so we could start quickly.
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| All the material is now on site! |
Monday comes and everyone arrives pretty much on schedule. A discussion ensues - of which I do not understand one thing that is being said. They are speaking rapidly and I believe in dialect. The one thing I could tell however was it was not going according to plan and no one was smiling - not a good sign. 30 minutes later the "inspector" leaves. Luigi and Antonio and I go inside to talk. Basically the inspector expected blue prints of some fashion and said we must go through the "normal" approval process - oh by the way - that takes 6 months!! I about died. But then they proceed to tell me Antonio will start on Friday. I was totally confused until they told me - the fine for building without permission is CHEAPER than the cost of paying for the normal approval permits. WHAT??? Yes you read that right. There is alot of illegal construction in southern Italy - now I know why. Using basic reasoning doesn't seem to work here - you would think you could stimulate the local economy by making approvals for small projects easier to obtain right? Amazing but also quite sad as the bureaucracy is massive and obstructive. So........we will proceed without the appropriate approvals. I did also learn that approvals for interior projects are not required. Thank goodness as the kitchen renovation is next on the list.
So Antonio and Giulio arrive as expected on Friday to build the gazebo. It takes one day with a few minor touchups on Saturday.
The next step is the canvas cover for shade. This becomes a bigger project than the wood structure as everyone has different ideas of what can be done. Oh my. We call on my second cousin Emilio (first cousin to Antonio). He owns a drapery/reupholstery business. He comes out the following week and for 30 minutes he and Antonio heatedly discuss what can and can not be done based on the way the structure is built. All I want are fabric shades that can be opened and closed. I showed them pictures from the internet. Well at the end of that discussion it was decided the "technica" from the manufacturer should come out and look at the structure to help decide. Now everyone knows I want this done by May and they continue to tell me - no problem it will be done.
Well to make a long story a bit shorter - a few meetings later I have decided on the shade coverings - it will be a bit more complex than originally planned due to the wind on the hill and the structure of the gazebo. It will have tracks and be in two sections. The area over the BBQ will be fixed canvas. They are now on order and I hope to have them installed soon. So stay tuned for Part 3 of this adventure.
Oh and send cash in case Luigi gets arrested (just kidding). The home owner is responsible so I guess I am off the hook.
Stay tuned.......
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