Something we always have to be mindful of in Florence....
Unlike the United States, pedestrians do not have the right of way. All of us in the program have worked out the following city transportation hierarchy:
1. Buses- Move out the way or get run over. Especially on one of the narrower streets where you have to literally stand with your feet turned out and your hands stretched against the wall so that you don't lose a limb
2. Cars/Trucks- you know how at home, cars will stop for people crossing the street? Not so here. Like really! not so. All of us have experienced, on a regular basis, a car whose driver sees one of us beginning to cross the street and guns it. You have to ask yourself...do I feel lucky?....
3. Vespas/motorcycles- where cars can't go, vespas can. And just like cars, they'll gun it. They also can race past/around you unexpectedly. That being said, it's pretty cool to see Italian women all dolled up in fancy dresses and high heels, riding vespas.
4. Bicycles. Do not get me started. If they have a bell you can at least hear them coming, if not....
5. Us lowly, on foot travelers. Watch your step....
The Florentine Hierarchy of Transportation
Where is a human on the totem pole of the Florentine beehive?
Where is a human on the totem pole of the Florentine beehive?
Unlike the United States, pedestrians do not have the right of way. All of us in the program have worked out the following city transportation hierarchy:
1. Buses- Move out the way or get run over. Especially on one of the narrower streets where you have to literally stand with your feet turned out and your hands stretched against the wall so that you don't lose a limb
2. Cars/Trucks- you know how at home, cars will stop for people crossing the street? Not so here. Like really! not so. All of us have experienced, on a regular basis, a car whose driver sees one of us beginning to cross the street and guns it. You have to ask yourself...do I feel lucky?....
3. Vespas/motorcycles- where cars can't go, vespas can. And just like cars, they'll gun it. They also can race past/around you unexpectedly. That being said, it's pretty cool to see Italian women all dolled up in fancy dresses and high heels, riding vespas.
4. Bicycles. Do not get me started. If they have a bell you can at least hear them coming, if not....
5. Us lowly, on foot travelers. Watch your step....
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