Don't Do What The Romans Don't! and other Rome, Italy Warning Or Danger Tips

Yes, DON'T! I have to say it the other way around, "Don't Do What the Roman's Don't!"

You can see Odessa standing on the steps of the King Vittorio Emanuel II monument. You will be able to see Mother Lily and Myself on other pictures also standing on the famous Steps highlighted by the Monument. Yes, do not make a mistake of sitting on the Steps no matter how tired climbing the many staircases, or no matter how you feel that it is more artistic taking pictures while sitting. On the contrary, the Italian police officers manning or safeguarding the monument think otherwise. They will ask you to move your **tt out of the stairs. I have witnessed two incidents on a very short stay in this structure. For whatever reason, nobody knows. I did not see any sign at the foot of the monument to this effect. If there is, it should be posted on strategic location. In fairness to the police officers and the regulations of the city, let us abide with the procedures. I thought maybe, standing in front of the monument where unknown soldiers tombs is being housed, will show our respect to them. You have no time to rest and sit or your tour guide must have given or warned you on this tip. Let us enjoy the Steps, and keep on standing!

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I got off at the Termini Station in Rome from the Santa Maria Nouvella Station in Florence. With all backpack and a heavy luggage in hand, I went out the train station to check where we can find the shuttle bus that must be available outside that can take us to our hotel. As soon as I stepped out of the door, there is a couple of drivers who approached me and my family to ride on their taxi. Thinking that the price given to me by one of the guys is reasonable, I said yes to him expecting that we are going to the queau of taxis just in front of the station. I was mistaken. He asked me to follow him as his taxi is there a little farther. I followed him anyways, but I felt that there is danger if I keep on walking to his direction. I stopped and grab my luggage which he is carrying and went back to taxis in a queau. Most of the drivers do not speak English. I spoke to the one who can, but he said I have to take the one which is first on the line. Eventually, we were on the road headed to our hotel. Our driver keep on checking and looking at his map while the car is in motion. After half an hour, we reached the main street where our hotel is situated. Thank God, I can see our hotel which is around ten minutes walk from the street. Our driver took the taxi to a halt and said in broken English, that he cannot take us to the hotel because there is too much traffic and that it is difficult to return to the main street....and because of this, and because of that....! What else do you think I can do? He won't move!

Lesson: Do not talk to any driver unless you know he has a taxi standing by and is first on a queau. Look for the official yellow or white metered taxi and do not take taxi for an arranged price. Better still, call a taxi from within Rome on any of the following telephone numbers (06 3570 - 06 4994 - 06 6645 - 06 5551 - or 06 8822).

Good luck and have a safe trip!

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Street at the Piazza Venezia has a big traffic area being the physical centre of the city. It is so busy that crossing the street from the King Vittorio Emanuel II monument becomes really difficult. There is enough tips that has been said about the hazard in crossing the street in Rome and what I am going to share with you is 'how to avoid this difficulties'. While it is true that crossing the street at Piazza Venezia infront of the King Vittorio Emanuel II monument must be very risky, that is mainly because I don't remember traffic lights installed within the area. At any rate, there is no harm trying different techniques so it is recommended to do this to avoid accident while you are in a foreign land: Wait until a crowd of pedestrian starts crossing. Whether there are locals in the crowd who are used to the Italian traffic, it is safer to just join in. If you are on streets with less traffic but you can see fast drivers, then wait a little while and for sure there will be local people you will come across who knows how to deal with it. It is better to wait for a minute or so before crossing the street, than to meet untoward incident. This tip is very useful because in going around the city of Rome, you will need a lot of walking, and a lot of .....crossing! Have a safe holiday!

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