Rome travel threats

Dear Wilson,

Today I received an e-mail from a dear old friend who asked the questions many Americans are asking -- is it safe to travel in Rome?

The sad truth is, there are some very real dangers every American must be vigilant about in the Eternal City. I don't want to name my friend here without her permission, but here is what I shared with her:

Street Signs
I think the biggest danger in Rome is trying to find your way around. The tourist maps have tiny print that will make you near sighted or blind. The street signs are on the buildings -- if you are lucky. Oh, occasionally you actually see a street sign on a pole. I should probably shoot a photo of that to prove they really exist.

Gelato
And the Gelato! Now there is some really risky business. It is sooooooooo good. And so many flavors. I don't want to get even close to a scale. My instant addiction posed a risk when I went out looking for some last night. It was rainy and dark and I learned that after 10 p.m. most of the Gelato stores are shut up tight. I could have gotten lost trying to get my gelato fix! I finally found one that was open, but it was of lesser quality and I suffered tremendous disappointment; but that didn't stop me from ordering some and wishing I had gotten more of the lemon flavor.
Downpour
Oh, and you have to worry about stepping in dog droppings. And when the starlings gather in the evening, there is a real danger of being under them when they are flying low and the droppings don't have time to dissipate in the air. So, yes, Rome can be a dangerous place.

Terrorists
As for terrorists, they are going to go after dense crowds. Avoid them. Let's face it, we just aren't important enough to be singled out. Unless we are packing several containers of gelato. Then we are a high value target.

Pickpockets
If I were to make any suggestions that would be relevant it would be to have a strategy to avoid pickpockets, because I think that (except for  getting lost) that is the most realistic risk, particularly in crowded markets. I wore my fly-fishing vest, with all its pockets, inside my light jacket. No pickpocket is going to get to my passport or wallet without getting to know me really well. 

Backpacks can be rifled through when they are on your back, but you can shift them around and wear them in front -- it's a little awkward, but you can see if someone tries to get to your stuff. Another risk all travelers run -- getting disoriented and putting something down and forgetting to pick it back up; develop good habits for those times when a lot is happening and you can get distracted. 

Last night I was missing a wallet and I looked in my backpack and coat pockets and my fishing vest, and I couldn't find it. It had credit cards, a debit card, driver's license and more than 200 Euros in it. I began to feel really upset until I found out it was in the pocket of the pants I was wearing. Doh!

 Abundance

Well, this advice is as valuable as the price she paid to receive it. As for you, Wilson, and all my readers, I wish you a happy Thanksgiving Day. And if you are in a place where you can do it, package some leftovers for some street people. You cannot imagine how much they will be touched by that kind gesture. We have such abundance; they have so little.

Love,
Robert