Getting around

Moving about the city is an experience.
Your head has to be on a swivel, cuz there is lots going on around you.

Traffic - there is a lot of it.

Best way to avoid it is the Metro (subway).  It costs 1.50 Euro and is fast. Just keep an eye out for pickpockets and you will be fine.  But you are 60 feet underground.  Not much to see down there.

A bus ride also cost 1.50 Euro and a ticket is good for 100 minutes.  Transfer as many times as you want.  It’s slower and hotter and a rougher ride, but if you want to be at ground level, this is a pretty good way of seeing the city.

Walking... hold on to your jock strap.  The sidewalks are wide, but most are filled with street vendors, which makes for about two feet of usable sidewalk.  Never cross a street without a crosswalk... it’s Russian roulette. Even a crosswalk is not a guaranteed safe zone.  It simple means that a driver is not allowed to hit you.  It’s ok for a driver to miss you, by a foot or so.  So, walkers beware, those drivers are NOT stopping.  This ain’t Amerika.

It’s noisy... horns, dogs, people, humanity, right up in your grill.  At first, it’s shocking.  But the shock wears off and pretty soon you can’t wait to get back into it.  It’s thrilling.  Never a dull moment.

Food... great so far.  No more expensive that the US.  We eat lunches out and just graze in the evening.  Beer is cold, as is the white wine.  Gelato is to die for... today we tried Come Il Latte, the BEST so far.  Coffee... an espresso shot is called “Cafe” and it costs 1 Euro.  As does a capaccuino or a Mari chino.  That’s a regulated price and it requires you to stand at the bar.  If you want the same drink served to you table side, that will be 3.50 Euro please.

Having an apartment has been great.  Cost is $120 US a night.  Great to have a place to take a siesta, have breakfast, and just hang out.  It’s 1,100 square feet, huge by Euro standards.

Ciao