We have just driven from Lucca to Rome... and stopped off at a couple of enchanted villages to enjoy the Tuscan countryside. This was not good preparation for coping with Rome traffic. We have experienced challenging traffic conditions in a number of cities. Rome drivers have a special spot that is reserved for them... unchallenged... willingness to ignore every traffic rule. There are no lanes marked on the road... local municipal managers probably figured there is little benefit in spending resources in marking the lanes if every driver ignores them. The early Romans built their empire on straight roads... but didn't get round to building roads within their own city. Our current version of 'Peggy' (GPS Sat Nav) gave up on Rome roads... and I do not blame her... roads in a rabbit warren are better planned. In our desperation to get around corners, we needed to cut across non-existing lanes. Local drivers were used to others performing desperate and unlawful turns... and gaps opened up when we were feeling most helpless. We have the car locked up in the apartment's car yard... and it will stay there until we move out in 5 days time.
Tomorrow will be special... seeing the streets where the foundations of modern history were set. We saw the sights in 1970... but it will all look different through 60 year old eyes. Joye is all set to buy a new camera... she wore out the old one... too many photos of signs.
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