About a month a go I realized my car insurance was about to expire. Because I bought the car from some friends I never registered the car under my own name so I knew that I should probably do that as I renewed my insurance. So I set off on a quest to figure out how to do all of that.
Johnny told me what I needed. My passport (with my new visa) & EMSO (my Slovene SSN). Go to AMZS. Do it there.
Sounded simple.
I wasnt worried.
I should have been.
First thing I realized was that I didn't yet have my VISA. But, it was waiting for me in the visa office. So I went and picked it up. Easy.
Once at home I realized I needed to register in the country so that I could get my EMSO.
So...back to the visa office. But before I could register and get my EMSO I was told I first needed a housing contract. They handed me the blank contract and I went home to call my landlord. He was in Naples, so his best friend and paperwork guy Gabriel fudged it over for me.
Back to the Visa office. Handed them my contract. Registered. Got my EMSO!
I got all of my papers together and went to AMZS. They were closed.
A few days later I tried again. Open! I handed them everything and in broken Slovene told them what I wanted. They gave me a weird look and told me that I first needed to get a contract with the old owners of the car. I asked repeatedly:
Me: ok, is this ALL I need?
AMZS girl: Yes its all.
Me: Anything else I should bring??
AMZS girl: Nope if you have the contract you will be fine.
So, I called up Anja from my church since the car used to be hers. She took the contract. Filled it out and gave it back to me.
Trip 3 to AMZS. Same girl working. Perrrfect. Handed her the contract. She looked at it and frowned.
AMZS girl: You didnt pay the tax.
Me: Excuse me? What tax?
AMZS girl: Right here on the form you didnt pay the sales tax. Go and pay the sales tax then come back.
Back to the Visa place...waited in line. Handed them my papers.
Me: Id like to pay the sales tax.
Visa lady: You are missing some papers. Have you gotten your car checked out?
Me: Um, no.
Visa Lady: Well you cant pay the tax until you get the car checked out. Do that then come back and pay the tax.
(Call Josh Patty in tears...after a "you can do it, go get 'em!" speech I drove to get my car checked out).
Car place. Go. Get it checked out (like a DEQ test). It fails. Im told I have three days to get it fixed.
Mechanic. He looks at the car. Explains whats wrong. I dont understand. Call Josh for translation. Turns out it was just cause the engine was cold. Leave it running while I wait next time.
Next day back at DEQ place. It passes!! I ask if I can start the insurance process.
DEQ lady: Hmm...It doesnt look like you paid the sales tax.
Me: Yah...about that....
DEQ Lady. First pay the sales tax, then come back and Register the Car.
Visa place again...(How many times have I been there?? People know me now.) I proudly show them that I pass my DEQ test.
Visa Lady: (Look at my papers. Frown.) You don't pay the sales tax here. Go Down town.
I go. They are closed for the weekend. Come back on Monday.
Monday (today), I show up. They look at my papers. I recognize the frown.
Visa Lady: You dont have enough copies of your contract. Go downstairs get some copies. Get them notarized and come back.
Go downstairs. Wait a very long time. Get the copies. Go back upstairs.
Once upstairs...
Me: Can I pay my tax now? I have my copies.
Sales Tax lady: (Looks at her watch) Oops, we just closed for lunch. Come back in an hour.
An hour later I show up.
Me: Can I please pay? (close to tears)
Sales Tax lady: You can, but you dont pay here. Here is the bill. Go to the Post Office across town. Then come back.
Ride my bike to the Post Office. Pay. Come back. I get the stamp of approval and green light to go Register my car.
Back to the DEQ place...hand them my papers...Register...Get on an insurance plan... And...
Im done!!!!
4 weeks later (Ok I took off two weeks for America). But I can officially drive in Slovenija. For another year.
Then I have to renew my registration.
For now though, Id rather not think about it.
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8 comments:
I LOVED (read: HATED WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING) those experiences. it's crazy how difficult the simplest thing can be. glad you are legal to drive now :) and that your slovene is good enough to deal with government stuff! miss you all and hope you have an awesome summer! love Amy
I was sad and stressed for you as I read this. I HATE that kinda stuff!! Good work, my friend!! i love and miss you!! Let's talk this week. what works for you?
Christina!!! i'm laughing and crying with you at the same time- i feel your pain, although i do have to tell you it refreshing to know 'communist' Poland isn't the only country where it seems impossible to get things done...
...i still have my winter tires on my car because dan mixed them up in his garage with 6 other pairs of tires... and i've been to the tire place 2 times already... only with somebody elses tires... how stupid i felt when the guy looked at the tires i had and said they are for a 1/2 transport truck... geez.
Are you kidding me???
How could you even remember to write down all the facts here in the blog, I got lost half way =)
Good job not giving up!
Christina Christina,
Oh what a good story teller you are. I love reading your blog, and I too laugh and cry right along with you. That sounds so frusterating at times, but what a champ you are!! Any yet, you keep on trucking, and that is so awesome! I definitely admire you for that! Miss you and miss SLO so much. Good luck with camps, they are so soon, I can't even believe it!! I will be thinking of you this summer while I am dancing to the song you taught me! Hee hee, love you.
I can't believe you persevered!!!! I am truly, truly proud of you for hanging in there and seeing that one through. How many times I've been in your shoes, and not one time did I enjoy it! But...I persevered and felt better about myself 'cause I did. You ought to be absolutely, totally proud of yourself! In fact, you ought to have some kind of nice treat for hanging in there like that!!
Love, Connie
I totally understand...Good job!
Waa.. that sounds sooo frustrating... now I get what you were trying to tell me a few weeks ago.. cheeezzz... you went through a lot!
Glad youre back on track though =)
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