It's official, we are Alabama drivers. I feel like we are in a life size game of Dominoes. If we put all the pieces just so it will all come together, but one must not be done without another.
First, before you can open a bank account here (which is what we did today), you have to first have a state ID, or a utility bill and a social security card. We explained that we had just moved here this week and hadn't received any utility bills but they stared at us blankly. We walked away realizing we were going to have to do our homework before pressing on.
We also went to get our license today. In order to get a license we had to come with our SS card, our passport and current WA licence. I'm surprised they didn't ask us to sign our name in blood or promise our first born child. They do things a little differently down here, a little more strict if you will. When they deem you competent to drive in Alabama they punch your prior license. I shed a little tear when the gal punched mine six times! They only punched Dan's twice. I wasn't sad at the loss of the actual plastic, I'm sure you knew that, but at the change that was happening. I don't do well with change and this week there has been a lot of it. We took back all the documents that represent our citizenship here including our new AL license.
Next domino, Dan is going into work tomorrow and wants to get a parking permit for the parking garage or as they call it here: parking deck. But in order to get parking permit we first needed a correct license plate. We did that today too. Again, they do things a little differently here in the south.
You have to bring your car title, that I understand, as well as proof of car insurance. They also want to inspect your car. We weren't sure what this meant but were willing to play along. We got in line and up to the front when they asked us if we had our car with us, "yes, it is across the street" (a two lane street mind you). "No, you need to move it to the front of the bldg or to the parking lot on the side or behind the bldg". Did they know that would be farther than across the street? Dan got out of line, moved the car and got back in line. It was now our turn at the front, round two. The clerk came out to meet us to 'inspect' the car- verify the plates, check the VIN number and mileage. Goodness, all these hoops make me feel like I'm back in a foreign country. What happened to efficiency?
They award tabs by last name, M's are done in June. Thankfully they prorate the fee. They do not however have an option to pay online so we'll be back for more hoops and surrender of documents.
We also went furniture shopping today. We didn't buy any mind you, the prices people put on furniture are enough to make me ill, but we did our fare share of browsing.
In the midst of all of this to and fro we did enjoy a bit of the downtown.
First, before you can open a bank account here (which is what we did today), you have to first have a state ID, or a utility bill and a social security card. We explained that we had just moved here this week and hadn't received any utility bills but they stared at us blankly. We walked away realizing we were going to have to do our homework before pressing on.
We also went to get our license today. In order to get a license we had to come with our SS card, our passport and current WA licence. I'm surprised they didn't ask us to sign our name in blood or promise our first born child. They do things a little differently down here, a little more strict if you will. When they deem you competent to drive in Alabama they punch your prior license. I shed a little tear when the gal punched mine six times! They only punched Dan's twice. I wasn't sad at the loss of the actual plastic, I'm sure you knew that, but at the change that was happening. I don't do well with change and this week there has been a lot of it. We took back all the documents that represent our citizenship here including our new AL license.
Next domino, Dan is going into work tomorrow and wants to get a parking permit for the parking garage or as they call it here: parking deck. But in order to get parking permit we first needed a correct license plate. We did that today too. Again, they do things a little differently here in the south.
You have to bring your car title, that I understand, as well as proof of car insurance. They also want to inspect your car. We weren't sure what this meant but were willing to play along. We got in line and up to the front when they asked us if we had our car with us, "yes, it is across the street" (a two lane street mind you). "No, you need to move it to the front of the bldg or to the parking lot on the side or behind the bldg". Did they know that would be farther than across the street? Dan got out of line, moved the car and got back in line. It was now our turn at the front, round two. The clerk came out to meet us to 'inspect' the car- verify the plates, check the VIN number and mileage. Goodness, all these hoops make me feel like I'm back in a foreign country. What happened to efficiency?
They award tabs by last name, M's are done in June. Thankfully they prorate the fee. They do not however have an option to pay online so we'll be back for more hoops and surrender of documents.
We also went furniture shopping today. We didn't buy any mind you, the prices people put on furniture are enough to make me ill, but we did our fare share of browsing.
In the midst of all of this to and fro we did enjoy a bit of the downtown.
After reading Susan's blog today I couldn't help but be inspired and thought her artist's eye might have caught some of these downtown beauties.
I love the buildings in your new downtown, especially the brick with the Coca Cola sign painted on. Glad you found some beauty amidst all the hassle of being an Alabama newbie. Joanne
ReplyDelete:) Thanks for the thoughts. I was thinking what cool architecture Tuscaloosa has! So sorry for all the hoops, but glad things are moving forward.
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