Our hotel in Rome was about ten minutes from the Coliseum. As we walked down to the main piazza our street became busier and busier with cars, people, outdoor cafes and trolleys.
The fact that Vespas are the preferred mode of transport in this city also adds to the excitement on the roads.
My daughter was warned that we would not be able to cross the roads. Traffic did not stop for anyone except…a nun,
“So, we can only cross the road safely with a lady in a habit, because a Roman won’t ever run over a nun!” She told us after one of her evenings out with her friends.
I thought she was having her leg pulled but when we got there and attempted a road crossing, she was absolutely right. We could cross safely with a religious, male or female, or a mother pushing a baby in a stroller, but nothing stopped for anybody else!
One day we were working out how to cross an enormous, multi lane roundabout. There were traffic lights to help us but the roads were too wide and the pedestrian lights too brief to get us all the way over before the cars, buses and bikes got the green light. We were literally about a third of the way across a four lane intersection when the lights changed and there is no such thing as “green, one, two, three, go!” in Rome.
It’s like a starters line when the flag comes down. Everyone behind a wheel or on a bike guns it!
There wasn’t a safe escort in view and not only were we dodging motorists, they were dodging us! Needless to say we made it but our hearts were in our mouths.
I was very happy one morning when I saw a policewoman directing traffic on the busiest part of our street. Rome needs more of these immaculately turned out officials.
It was hot and there she was in a tight skirt, white shirt, jaunty hat, high heels and a handbag. With her shrill whistle and vigorous gesticulations she had traffic stopping and starting with impressive precision.
Fashion consciousness prevails in all walks of life in the Eternal City. I was impressed. The Roman drivers were unfazed.
Well hello there! My name is Vivienne McNeny.
I am an empty nester exploring life as a Boomer…you could say I'm happily Boomering along!
As a homeschooling Mum I have finally quit the job of role model and mentor to my four children. I do what I want to do, eat when I feel like it, enjoy life with my blue eyed cowboy and clean my house once a month or so whether it needs it or not!
In true English form I write about the emergence of my true identity now that I can no longer hide behind my children as their Mum.
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