Military Monday: Joslin- Aviano, Italy

The Military Monday duty station feature on this blog is designed for us military families to meet our fellow military spouses and also to learn about duty stations across the world.  We all get to (or have to depending on your outlook and particular set of circumstances), move every couple years to different duty stations that are scattered throughout the country and the world.  This feature will allow us the opportunity to explore these different areas of the world before we get there.  

If you are interested in being highlighted for this feature, please send me an email.  

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Name and blog site:
Joslin, Joslin as Mrs. Williams (http://joslinwilliams.blogspot.com/)

Branch of service:
Air Force

Where currently stationed:

Aviano, Italy Air Base

How long have you been there?:

Almost a year

Favorite restaurant in the area:

It’s actually not technically a restaurant. Our landlord and his wife run a bar/café next door and every Friday they have a cookout. They bring us several plates of food and sometimes a beer or mojito to go along with it. They have also hosted a couple dinner parties for us and they always make the most amazing food!

Previous duty stations:

Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

3 favorite things to do in your current city:

Travel. It doesn’t matter if we go major cities, or stick to the small towns in our region. It’s always going to be a new and unique place with sites that we’d never see in the US. We try to get out and explore as much as our bank account allows us.

Eat. I love to eat! I’m in heaven because I love Italian food.

Walk. We walked down a creepy little ally in Aviano and ended up in a cute little park that wasn’t easily accessible by road…unless you have a teeny smart car.

Favorite duty station so far: 

Definitely this one.  Alaska was pretty, but I couldn’t get past the icy winters.

Who is your hero?

My grandpa on my mom’s side.  He was just the ultimate of what a grandpa should be and I miss him every day.  It’s funny because I always knew in the back of my mind that I wanted to marry someone with similar qualities as his, but I guess it was more of a subconscious thing.  I’m always pointing out things my husband does or says that reminds me of my grandpa.  His patience and quiet demeanor are the two main similarities.

What is the biggest drawback to your current duty station?

No on-base housing.  Don’t get me wrong, I love our house and our landlord.  But it was such an overwhelming experience going through the whole rental process.  The worst part is that we arrived in August which is generally known as the vacation month of the Italians so Housing was severely understaffed and we had to maneuver around some of the landlords’ vacation schedules.  It was just a very frustrating experience.
Also, the base is split into different areas spread out across town.  There are three main ones, but someone told me there are seven altogether.

How strong/ or not is the sense of community in the area?

I think the base tries its best to create a sense of community within the military population, but it’s hard when everyone is so spread out.  They do their best though.

Are there any local festivals you have been to or are planning to attend?

Every weekend there’s a handful of festivals.  There are a lot of medieval and historical reenactment festivals which are so fun to see!  I know they do them in the US, but it just doesn’t compare to seeing an entire town participate in the festivities, dressed to the nines.  It’s especially special knowing that most of these towns were actually around during the time period.

Have you joined any groups on base?

No, I haven’t. We can only afford one car here because of the vehicle taxes and disgustingly expensive gas prices (at least 1.5 of the price you pay in the US).  They only offer discounted gas and tax breaks to one vehicle.  My husband also works all kinds of different hours and his schedule changes weekly if not daily.  It makes it difficult to get back and forth to base for regular social events.

If you’re stationed in Italy between now and summer of 2015, let me know! I’d love to answer any questions you have and help you feel less overwhelmed with the process of moving abroad.

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If you are a military spouse and want be featured for this post, please send me an email at HandlingWithGrace {at} gmail.com

Previous Posts
Amanda - Heidelberg, Germany
Janna - Ft Carson, CO
Alia - Ft. Hood, TX
Victoria - Ft. Stewart, GA

Samantha - Norfolk, VA

April - San Diego, CA

Nina - Anchorage, AK

Bri - Kaneohe Bay, HI

Jenn - Ft. Campbell, KY

Kate- Monterey, CA

Nicole- Jacksonville, NC

Whitney- San Antonio, TX

Sarah- Ft. Drum, NY

Mrs K- Ft Polk, LA

Lauren- Pearl Harbor, HI 
Jamie- Pensacola, FL