National Buffoon's European Vacation.
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Hi Gabe,
I am not Italian but I have been there many times. Enjoy your time over there. I believe that Italians are great people: They love life and beauty and it is so much fun to interact with them. The traffic in the middle of summer in Rome is really nothing enjoyable: It's all heat and madness. I had to drive to the center of Rome a few years ago and there is a picture that stays in my mind :I was the first bike, stopped at an intersection and very soon , I was surrounded by four cars in what was supposed to be a two lanes street. Then a couple of scooters squeezed in, 2 or 3 bicycles, and a couple of pedestrians. When I looked across the intersection, I saw a similar line up on the opposite side. Behind me, my son, who was 6 at the time, shouted :" Dad, this is the grand finale, you must go for it!. "
That's why even the Pope gets out of there in the summer.
Instead, ask Yossef to hook you up for a ride in Tuscany, the Dolomites or the surroundings of Rome and you will appreciate that much more.
I am not Italian but I have been there many times. Enjoy your time over there. I believe that Italians are great people: They love life and beauty and it is so much fun to interact with them. The traffic in the middle of summer in Rome is really nothing enjoyable: It's all heat and madness. I had to drive to the center of Rome a few years ago and there is a picture that stays in my mind :I was the first bike, stopped at an intersection and very soon , I was surrounded by four cars in what was supposed to be a two lanes street. Then a couple of scooters squeezed in, 2 or 3 bicycles, and a couple of pedestrians. When I looked across the intersection, I saw a similar line up on the opposite side. Behind me, my son, who was 6 at the time, shouted :" Dad, this is the grand finale, you must go for it!. "
That's why even the Pope gets out of there in the summer.
Instead, ask Yossef to hook you up for a ride in Tuscany, the Dolomites or the surroundings of Rome and you will appreciate that much more.
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3,640 Posts
Gabe,
Been to Rome several times.
My advice: Take a bus or taxi! Although the city traffic is not Oriental-level nutzo, it is up there.
A story: I had a day off, and decided to check out the Vatican. I'm walking up the street along the Vatican City wall. The one-way (towards me) street curves around to the right. No traffic. Suddenly, I hear a growing buzzy wail coming from up the street.
Around the corner comes a phalanx of a couple dozen scooters; the riders range from suits, to kids with their butts off the inside of the seat, to terrified-looking young ladies.
It looked like the first turn in a Supermoto event!
Enjoy Roma! It is a great city!
Been to Rome several times.
My advice: Take a bus or taxi! Although the city traffic is not Oriental-level nutzo, it is up there.
A story: I had a day off, and decided to check out the Vatican. I'm walking up the street along the Vatican City wall. The one-way (towards me) street curves around to the right. No traffic. Suddenly, I hear a growing buzzy wail coming from up the street.
Around the corner comes a phalanx of a couple dozen scooters; the riders range from suits, to kids with their butts off the inside of the seat, to terrified-looking young ladies.
It looked like the first turn in a Supermoto event!
Enjoy Roma! It is a great city!
Roman Holiday
Ah, renting a scooter in Rome - truly one of the highlights of my motorcycling career. After a day of footing it, I trade my tennies for a rental Hyosoung 125 and suddenly were Peck and Hepburn loose in the eternal city. With wifey navigating (laminated flip map), its literally five minutes site to site. The efficiency is a total rush; think about a destination and BOOM, youre there.
The Game:
Filter to the Front betwixt car, curb, sidewalk, whatever . Get to the front and drop the hammer on Green (Scooter GP)
Ride the Centerline Hey theres 3 useful feet between lanes uh oh, now Im playing chicken with another scoot going the other direction!
Park Wherever - alley, sidewalk, café, etc. fuggetaboutit, its a rental
Piazzas Most are paved, but pedestrian only rental stickers on your scoot and helmets provide apologies to the locals.
Roundabouts Glorious, but disorienting after a couple trips around (posing for photos)
Overall If you start slow, play it safe, and make an effort to decipher the signage Ill guarantee you some great stories - (we ended up in the middle of parade).
Ah, renting a scooter in Rome - truly one of the highlights of my motorcycling career. After a day of footing it, I trade my tennies for a rental Hyosoung 125 and suddenly were Peck and Hepburn loose in the eternal city. With wifey navigating (laminated flip map), its literally five minutes site to site. The efficiency is a total rush; think about a destination and BOOM, youre there.
The Game:
Filter to the Front betwixt car, curb, sidewalk, whatever . Get to the front and drop the hammer on Green (Scooter GP)
Ride the Centerline Hey theres 3 useful feet between lanes uh oh, now Im playing chicken with another scoot going the other direction!
Park Wherever - alley, sidewalk, café, etc. fuggetaboutit, its a rental
Piazzas Most are paved, but pedestrian only rental stickers on your scoot and helmets provide apologies to the locals.
Roundabouts Glorious, but disorienting after a couple trips around (posing for photos)
Overall If you start slow, play it safe, and make an effort to decipher the signage Ill guarantee you some great stories - (we ended up in the middle of parade).
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