Driving Italian style
My last blog entry was about Baby Blu, my scooter. Since I posted, I have continued to love Baby Blu even though he has taken a few knocks here and there. What can I say but isn't it obvious that driving in Italy is an experience all its own? I am proud to say that Baby Blu has accrued character and definition in a very short amount of time.
I also admit that watching those young guns fearlessly zipping around on their scooters without a care for say traffic lights, one-way streets or pedestrians has really left me in awe. I can't help but wonder, "what are they thinking?" and wait, "are they thinking?" I don't know for sure as I haven't gone and interviewed anybody (yet) but my love of observing human nature has theorized the following possibilities:
- The pizza delivery boy must deliver the pizza at full speed because a. it must be delivered on time and b. it must be delivered while it's hot. And as we all know, Italy makes the best pizza and they are best eaten hot. So, delivery boys are exempt of following all traffic codes and laws.
- When it's summer locals and tourists alike must get to the beach. Paradise on earth only has room on its beaches for those who drive the fastest. So locals know the shortcuts (the ones where you disregard traffic codes) and get there first, while the tourists are terrified of locals who disregards traffic codes, get confused and end up driving down one-way streets anyway. It's quite understandable isn't it? They are also exempt of following traffic codes.
- Foreign residents who are neither Italian nor tourists who generally still observe and respect traffic codes must get over the chaos and therefore, avoid all interaction with both locals and tourists by doing their best to stay on the roads that are still uncorrupted by menefreghiste ("couldn't-care-less) drivers. However, roads are generally few and narrow and also unmarked. Yes, they are generally the ones that get yelled at by traffic cops and receive warnings.They are not exempt.
- Speaking of narrow streets... parking is also an art in Italy. Most non-Italians who have lived in somewhat more civilized countries have generally parked their cars in the same direction of the street and in front of the curb. But, due to space restrictions and the over-used "get out of jail" ticket called "asking for pardon" (thanks to the "magnificent" work of guilt-based religion) this too is an option! You can park your car any way you want, whether it be bumper to bumper or bumper to headlight, or headlight to passenger door, over the curb, at an intersection blocking traffic, or at the entrance of someone's home. It really doesn't matter because you must have that espresso now! Without a doubt exempt.
- So when in Rome... yes, I have started doing the same. Parking my Baby Blu on the sidewalk, running red lights and really not giving a shit Italian style! But I have not been able to get away with it (fortunately) because I am part of #3 above and because my dear companion works for law enforcement. Once again I must confess my greatest disappointment since I moved to Italy four and a half year ago: I'll never really be Italian! Eviva L'Italia! Be afraid... be very afraid! (just kidding of course ;-)
