Passport pains of the Internationista

Photo from British government site. Framed by Internationista

As an Internationista, one who has and continues to live in different countries around the world, I was revolted yet admittedly not surprised, to discover the costs of renewing a British passport differ greatly depending on which country you live in.

The fact that the end product is the same: a little burgundy book, the service is the same: renewal of passport and the buyer is the same: a British citizen, leaves one to question why one British citizen should pay more than another British citizen based on their current location?

Perhaps it is a question of postage? Though the discrepancy in fees does not match postage fees, in some cases those closer to the UK pay more, and additionally, according to the British government site the renewal of passports is processed in regional passport centres so perhaps international postage costs are irrelevant altogether?

So here's a quick look at the wide discrepancies for the same service and same product with very different charges. A British citizen wishing to renew their passport living in:

• UK pays just £77.50 (€93.86)
• Italy (€185)
• Australia $267.66 (€211.15)
• USA $243 (€186.03)
• Afghanistan $266 (€203.71)
• Serbia (€185)
• India (€160.92)
• Japan £147.86 (€179.10)
• Ireland (€185)
• Venezuela VEF1144 (€203.65)
• China £147.86 (€179.97)
• Nigeria NGN40,800 (€198.24)

So why does a British citizen living in Australia pay more than one living in Japan? Why does one in Afghanistan pay more than one living next door in India? And why does one living mere meters away in Ireland pay more than one living in another continent in China?

For Internationistas around the world shouldn't we have a fair system where all British citizens pay the same price (excluding delivery costs) for their national passport regardless of where they choose to lay their tweed hat or fancy fascinator?

George Clooney speaks Italian in new TV commercial

George Clooney in Fastweb commercial. Framed by Antonia Scott.

"Immagina." "Imagine."

One small word but a world of possibilities spring to mind when it's George Clooney asking you to imagine, and in Italian no less.

You may remember that George Clooney is the face of Italian internet provider Fastweb here in Italy so every so often we get treated to an Italian George Clooney - could it get any sexier?

If you missed the first few here they are some to enjoy:

George Clooney in Fastweb advertisement destroying a cupboard.

George Clooney and other hollywood celebrities speaking Italian in advertisements.

Much like his other TV commercials in Italy his lines in the latest Fastweb TV commercial are few:

"Imagine."

"Imagine, you can."

And much like the other, a few words from George Clooney is all that is needed. Check it out for yourself here on youtube.

Don't worry George, we can all imagine....hmmmmmmmmmmm............. Um, sorry, Fastweb who?

Best TV commercial in Italy stars Garibaldi

Best TV commercial Italy stars Garibaldi. Framed by Antonia Scott.

Yet again the TIM mobile phone advertising crew has come up trumps.

You may remember at the end of last year they ran a serious known as the History of Italy according to TIM where we saw a fusion of Italian history with the present mobile phone world topped with a splash of humour. If you missed them here are a few translated commericials for your enjoyment:

• Italian History according to TIM mobile starring Christopher Columbus
• Italian History according to TIM mobile starring Leonardo da Vinci

So the same group of actors are now coming together to recall the colourful historical character, Giuseppe Garibaldi, a General who was instrumental in the unification of Italy 151 years ago.

Here is the first in the series for you to enjoy with the loose translation below. La Storia di Italia seconda TIM starring Giuseppe Garibaldi.

Translation:

While Giuseppe Garibaldi studies plans on how to unify regions into one unified country, which will be known as Italy, his mother enters on the mobile:

Mother: "Giuseppe has been here all day playing with puzzles."

Giuseppe "It's not a puzzle mamma."

Giuseppe "Finish the call mamma, it will cost a fortune."

Mother: "Don't worry. I can speak to everyone anywhere in Italy for just €2 a week."

Giuseppe: "But Italy doesn't exist yet."

Mother: "Well what are you waiting for? Do it for mamma!"

Giuseppe: "This is what I am trying to do!"

Mother (turning back to the phone): "Excuse me, at the moment Giuseppe is at that difficult age. He's answering back."