Roaming' in Rome

I know we have written about the traffic before, but after all it has been a big part of our life 'on the road' for the last three and a half months. We have been amused, confused and at times have had our nerves frayed by our traffic experiences.

Since arriving in Rome, Pablo was taken to the nearest auto lavaggio for a wash, vacuum and general spruce up and has since been parked forlornly in the car park while we have used the more sensible alternative - Public Transport. So this post has a more pedestrian perspective.

Of course there must be traffic rules in Italy. The policeman in the photo below is clearly enforcing some of them.





However we quickly learnt not to stand on the side of the road at pedestrian crossings waiting for the traffic to stop for you. You will be waiting all day. Traffic will stop at pedestrian crossings - but only if you make it! To do this you must bravely and assertively step from the curb in front of the oncoming traffic which will then dutifully stop, or in the case of motorbikes swerve - but only one by one if you are directly in their path. I suggest you don't take on a bus the first time you try this.

I am bravely demonstrating the technique below.




Parking techniques have also been a continual source of bemusement during our journey. But the citizens of Rome have also taken the art of parking to the next level. It sees any free space is fair game - pedestrian crossings, corners, even traffic islands. Trust me, despite looking like they should be on the move, all of the cars below were driverless, and not a parking ticket in sight.







Gayle

Location:Rome, Italy