I've been here in Rome for almost 2 weeks now, and I feel so overwhelmed, in a good way. There is just so much to take in and experience, I don't want to just skim the surface of this experience, but somehow, eventually be able to percieve all this and take something from it. The little things, I've noticed, have meant so much to me. Simply finding an ATM, or ordering a meal in broken Italian give me such an accomplished feeling! Probably sounds silly reading this, but it's true: it's been the little things that have felt so accomplishing and have helped me to not take things for granted.
Anyways, on that note, I've picked up on a few little quirks that make Italians, well Italians. Lets start with the traffic. One word to sum it up: Chaos! I swear, there are no strict regulations regarding parking, crosswalks, noise, speed...need I go on? Trying to cross a street is like putting your life on the line. Ok, maybe not to that extreme, but close enough. Even when the light says it's safe to walk, don't trust it. We've learned that sometimes, since the traffic is usually constant (all day and night), you just have to start walking across and pray they stop! (Don't worry Mom, I'm still here and alive seeing as I'm writing this!) But honestly, sometimes you just have to make a run for it! Parking: is basically anywhere, and many times, they block traffic. No big deal, just go around. Passing happens all the time. Mopeds and motorcycles weave in and out all the time, and they make some close turns! I've also noticed that every single person on a motorcylce/moped has incredibly good posture and all wear helmets! I think it might be a law here, and a very good one at that, seeing how smoothly traffic runs. The other day I witnessed quite the accident: A car hit a motorcycle and the motorcycle driver was flipped off and skidded across the road! Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it was pretty intense. And as usual, traffic continues around the scene of the accident. I'm sure it happens all the time anyways...
Here is a video one of our Professors here showed us, and laughed so hard because it's pretty legit! Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHWBL9_alKs
Secondly: signs of affection (or as we like to call them, PDA's): Well, it'a everywhere! haha Couples think absolutely nothing of it! Kissing in the metro station, bus stops, in the grocery store. No big deal! It's very different that what is considered "normal" for us back at home where kissing passionately, if you will, is rarely ever seen in public. What's wrong with expressing your affection? lol
Thirdly: Time. All I have to say is that time is nothing. There is no metro schedule, no bus schedule. They just come whenever, basically. So if you're planning on the metro or bus for transportation, give yourself plenty of time. Who knows, you might be waiting for a bus or about a half an hour! And P.S. Bus #62 I think is close to nonexistent. (This is the bus that takes us to a great deal of places in central Rome, so a fairly important bus)
Lastly: Food. But that will have to wait for a later post. It deserves one all to itself, enough said! :)
Until next time!
~Laura
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