Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? (To See If The Cars Would Stop For It)

I think, however secretly, I have hated Rome all along. From the moment we arrived. The hostel, which claimed to be 400m from the Termini station, was neither 400m from the station nor a hostel. The weather was very nice, but the city scenery ruined it. At least we had finally learned how to cross the street in Italy, which is simply to stride into the road, without waiting for a crosswalk light or looking to see if cars are coming. As long as you ignore the cars, they will stop for you. But acknowledge them for a second and they won't stop. Sometimes it's a little scary to make the leap of faith, especially given how fast and angry people drive. I am surprised I never saw an accident. Maybe because no one assumes that anyone else is observing the traffic laws, signs, or rules of common sense.

For example, yesterday we saw two police officers who had parked their car in the middle of the road so they could direct traffic around it. The only credit I can give them is that they were doing a better job than my "Beware of Sign" sign, which I had inadvertently managed to place in a spot where it had minimal visibility but maximal damage. It took many casualties and was torn down in rage twice before I retired it.