Attack of the Smart Cars

One of the biggest decisions, at least it seemed to me, was whether or not, to bring a vehicle with us to Italy.  The vehicle in question was my car, Siegfried, a 2002 Lexus I have had for several years that runs like a dream and looks kind of like a nightmare. We decided to sell my car but Carmax would barely give me the price of the gas to drive him there (seriously this car looks like it’s already been in Rome for a few years…) and when we thought about online selling it, I got the worse case of seller's remorse. So instead of being sold (and us buying a nifty little Fiat), he came along with us to Italy.  Anyway, for those of you know and have driven in Siegfried, you know that although he is awesome, he’s no giant. He’s a smallish 4 door sedan.  What I've learned here though is that compared to Roman cars, he’s a monster. He’s going to eat these Smart Cars for breakfast.

Teeny, tiny little cars. 

I had thought it was stereotype that everyone in Rome drives tiny cars but the question here isn't WHETHER you dive a smart car it’s what color.

There's blue, and white, and yellow, and black, and red...teeny tiny little cars...

But I guess given the parking situation here, one needs a small car. Yes, parking situation. I had this rumored before I arrived but seeing truly is believing.  American traffic cops would have a field day here. They park on the side walk, facing traffic, on 2-3 rows blocking in other cars, perpendicular.  Yes, perpendicular between two cars.

Yay, a space! Fit right between these two cars!

This is a space right?

These cars are parked in the lane divider. It's ok though. It's Rome.

I asked my husband what does one do if your car is blocked by another car, and he said it’s Italy, no one really cares. I guess you just wait, go get a coffee, since chances are you have done it too.