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When in Rome...

do NOT park as the Romans do!

By Tineke Ziemer

September 4^th, 2014

Laura and I have shared many laughs at the expense of the Italian drivers since we have been here. The only parking law seems to be… wait, there aren’t any! If you can find space, park in it. Whether you are double parking, parked on the sidewalk, in the center of the lane or in the opposite lane facing the wrong direction… anything goes! Yup, we have watched in fascination as drivers have crossed the line into the oncoming lane and drove for half a block until they found a parallel parking space and in they go, facing the other car. We’ve seen the centre median of a street become a parking lot for as many cars, scooters, mopeds and mini trucks as can fit. There are no parking lines, so on any given street you will find people parked in every direction imaginable. With very few stop signs and mopeds weaving in and out of traffic, little regard for pedestrians and virtually no posted speed limits, it’s little wonder we see ambulances racing by hourly! What a cultural experience we are having!!