... strikes and protests? I was reading today in the New York Times about the Air Alitalia strike and it brought back my memories when I was in Rome for a week last Oct.
There was a day I was planning to go to the Borghese Gallery but was canceled, because of a strike. Another day I went to the Trevi Fountain for some people photos. There was a protest and some of the protesters were in the fountain taking the coins that the tourist have thrown in. My people photos turn out to be the protesters and the police who were just watching. Another day I went to Piazza del Campidoglio for some more people photos, found another protest in the piazza. I skipped the people photos, the protesters were not very interesting and they were not same one as in Trevi because their protest banners were in a different color. I witness three strikes/protests in one week and have the impression if anyone goes to Rome should expect strikes and protests because they take place every week. Is this a fair impression?
One more thing. Am I one of the few people that has never thrown a coin into Trevi Fountain? I been to Rome twice in the last four years and will go back again soon. So I am living proof you do not have to throw your money away to visit Rome again only to see it be taken by a protester.
My two cents because I did not throw it in the fountain! ))
Bill
Posts: 460 | Location: East Elmhurst, NYC, USA | Registered: 12 September 2003
Protesting in Italy is a very civilized event. Don't worry about protests and demonstrations. In fact, they can be very interesting. And one of my favorite things about Italian strikes is that they are scheduled right down to the hour. And when the strike is over, everyone goes back to what they were doing. It is very easy to plan your schedule around Italy's strike schedules, they give you plenty of notice in advance.
Deborah Horn
In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I'd like to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com
Posts: 4996 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
We've been to Rome many times and I have yet to throw coins into the Trevi...in fact, we haven't even SEEN the fountain of Trevi. I'm not sure why...we never manage to make it there I guess. We've been lucky enough to have gone when there were no strikes BUT we did arrive into ROme once on the day of the Lazio/Roma soccer match one year. Now THAT was interesting....no-one on the the streets, no taxi's, not even a BUS! We loved it!
Posts: 698 | Location: Berkeley, CA USA | Registered: 07 August 2003
quote:Originally posted by Donna Marie: BUT we did arrive into ROme once on the day of the Lazio/Roma soccer match one year. Now THAT was interesting....no-one on the the streets, no taxi's, not even a BUS! We loved it!
Sound like you found one of the secrets to see the crowed places in Rome. Is to see it during soccer matches.
Bill
Posts: 460 | Location: East Elmhurst, NYC, USA | Registered: 12 September 2003
When I was in Rome the other day.. doing research ( tough life) I did see a woman with a fishing pole, pulling out coins with the magnet on the end of the pole.. creative bag lady!
quote:Originally posted by Donna Marie: BUT we did arrive into ROme once on the day of the Lazio/Roma soccer match one year. Now THAT was interesting....no-one on the the streets, no taxi's, not even a BUS! We loved it!
Sound like you found one of the secrets to see the crowed places in Rome. Is to see it during soccer matches.
Bill
No no no!!!
When the Giallorossi (Roma) are playing the Biancoceleste (SS Lazio) the ONLY place to be in Rome is Lo Stadio Olimpico.
I've only been to one Roma game, which was Roma v Bologna a few years ago. I would LOVE to see the Roma v Lazio derby someday. Incredible!
Posts: 291 | Location: Takoma Park, Maryland, USA | Registered: 09 October 2003
quote: I've only been to one Roma game, which was Roma v Bologna a few years ago. I would LOVE to see the Roma v Lazio derby someday. Incredible!
Mike, Roma against Lazio? Isn't that like Red Sox and Yankees on testosterone? I am in! And how did the topic of "strike" evlove into football strike talk? http://www.sjultras.com/history.htm
Unfortunately, scheduled strikes have not been the norm lately. Or rather, we've been getting wildcat strikes in addition. Milan in particular has been very messy as a result since before Christmas. And it generally takes a few hours after a strike officially ends for public transport to get back on schedule, especially buses as they must contend with increased road traffic since everyone had to drive their cars into town...
I had the true fortune of having my luggage kicked over to Rome (and Amsterdam and Venice?) during the Alitalia strike in December. Funny thing was, I flew Milan-Pisa.
Posted in advance they might be, though curiously only when I need to transport luggage from apartment to train-station, or vice-versa. Landed in Florence shortly after (with aforementioned luggage) to bus strikes!
It's an interesting national pastime...but you gotta love it.
If you don’t throw a coin in the fountain, do, fill your water bottle from the water flowing into a basin on the right side of the main fountain. Some of the freshest and best water in Rome. This fountain and the one at P. di Spagna are still supplied by the original ancient Roman aqueducts (I guess Roman is redundant!) bringing water from the mountains. We were lucky enough to have Italian friends offer their apartment with straight-on view of the Trevi Fountain for us to use 2 days in February. Can’t wait. Here's the basin where you can refresh with some delicious and very historic water.
Topic Closed
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