From the moment we landed in Rome until the moment we left, I was struck with how that city – and perhaps much of Western Europe – uses space differently from how we use it in the States.
The first thing you notice are the many ancient buildings crammed together. In the heart of the city, the Coliseum, the Forum, and the Circus Maximus are all within walking distance of each other. While they are “preserved,” they have not been renovated. The Circus Maximus, for instance, almost resembles an abandoned park, except for excavations at one end. However, there is enough on view to recall the chariot race from “Ben Hur.”
In our country, the Circus Maximus site would have fallen into the hands of developers and ended up being a trendy condo complex of the same name. It would have stood out like the well-known sore thumb, especially since there is a noticeable lack of super highrises in Rome’s central city.
Automobiles are another example, not only because their drivers run them at breakneck speed or because there are very few stoplights but also because they are very small and can stop on a dime. Both attributes are significant. Rome’s streets are small and winding; parking is at a premium; fuel is expensive; and American style mechanical palaces on wheels simply don’t fit in. Additionally, pedestrian walkways are marked by a series of lines on the cobblestones at various intersections. Step into the marked area and all cars come to a halt, allowing pedestrians to cross.
We tested this at the Victor Emmanuel monument which fronts a circular road. Due to experience in our own country we were timid at first. But sure enough, cars halted. It was a beautiful thing. As time passed, we became bolder and even crossed streets just to watch the cars stop. I wouldn’t recommend doing this at home.
Finally, cappuccinos were markedly smaller than those served stateside. Cheaper too. You could say it was about space, but perhaps it was about ambience as well. And maybe that was why we spent a lot of time in cafes when we weren’t out playing in traffic.
There is a television commercial I’ve seen recently where some guy asks little children if bigger is better than smaller. They all agree it is, which serves the guy’s purpose for the product he’s promoting. I beg to disagree.
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