A DAY IN ROME

My first morning in Rome and I could defer the inescapable at no time in the future. The zebra crossing at Piazza del Popolo, at the top end of the Via del Corso, lay before me and was not to be trifled with.

While walkers have legitimate right of route here, it is a privilege surrendered by the driver with the most extreme hesitance and an unavoidable squeeze of salt.

Watching the activity tearing by I breathed easy in light of the prospect that many had crossed thusly. A fellow close to 12 had done as such effectively minutes prior, striding manfully before the approaching movement with no indication of dread. Thus I took a full breath and crossed – shooting, ducking and jumping towards the opposite side.