Rome-ing the streets
NY Times correspondant Ian Fisher yucks it up as he recalls his Vespa-piloting adventure through Italy’s capital. Trying to navigate the city’s notorious traffic using GPS, Fisher learns that Italians don’t appreciate gadgets the way Americans do. After attempting to follow his mini-computer’s directions, Fisher realizes it might be better to just ask for directions. Thus:
the truth is, not even G.P.S. can drain Rome of its chaotic soul. I used it the other day to get to an interview at the courthouse on Piazzale Clodio. My Quest drew a decent route, but I still overshot an exit. To get back, I turned the scooter against traffic, hopped a curb onto the sidewalk, then onto the right route. This is all illegal, but completely normal for scooters. Ten uneventful minutes later, a little checkered flag went up on my G.P.S. signaling that I had successfully reached Piazzale Clodio. Now where the heck was the courthouse? I didn’t see anything that looked remotely like one. I had to ask someone.
Also in Rome: Euro-hippies will have to find a new piazza to fill with flaming devil sticks and hacky sacks now that Rome’s mayor is cracking down on bohemians in Piazza Navona. More interestingly, the mayor’s name is Walter…
Tags: Italy, News, News, Rome
Paul