Sean in Bozen
20 July 2006

What a panic I was in this morning. I was supposed to go look at an apartment at 8:00 before work. At 7:47, I looked down at that travel clock, and saw that it said that today is 7/21.

My heart just about stopped. No! I have my appointment with the Quästur on 7/21 at 8:00 in the morning! I had that appointment down on my calendar for Friday, not Thursday! This is a very important appointment which has to do with registering with the local police for immigration purposes. There was a whole list of things I had to have in order (passport, photocopies of my passport, 5 passport-sized photos, my work contract, proof of a legally registered lease, stamps in an exact amount, etc.), and I didn't have them ready at all.

So I started running around like crazy, trying to get everything together. I zoomed around on my bicycle, getting the stamps at the tobacco shop, some papers from work, and so on. I have never rushed around this city so quickly. I knew I was going to be late, but I hoped they would understand. I made a frantic call to the woman who was supposed to show me an apartment at 8:00 and gave a hasty explanation (she had stood me up yesterday, so I don't feel so bad about it).

Finally, at around 8:30, I showed up at the gate of the big police center at the near end of the Drusus Bridge. There were lots of people waiting, and they said the Quästur's office doesn't open until 9:00. Huh?

So I went and talked to the guard. I showed them my papers explaining the appointment, pointing to where it says my appointment is on the 21st. They patiently explained to me that today is the 20th.

I could have just about have collapsed from sudden relief and exhaustion. I didn't care in the least that the police officers were smiling at me as if I were a bit stupid. The travel clock was set for the wrong date!!!!

If I took the time to puzzle it out, I could probably figure out how I ended up with the wrong date when I changed the time after crossing so many time zones. I'm surprised it took me so long to notice the error.