Don't Be Afraid-Just Back 8 days Italy
Mar 28th, 2003, 11:17 PM
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Don't Be Afraid-Just Back 8 days Italy
I could not decide to go or cancel last Friday (3days into the war). After reading other posts I had the confidence to go. 8 Days-Florence & Venice-Lufthansa-changing planes in Munich. We had NO problems!<BR> The Italians were very ant-war, but not Anti-American. Peace flags everywhere-demostrations all over-but still love Americans. We even found ourselves in a protest rally by mistake and had NO PROBLEMS.I did not wear sneakers,baseball hats or Disney stuff-why announce myself?<BR> Picked up a cell phone for trip-just in case. We were realy glad we did. It helped from helping find our lost luggage to clarifying why my credit card was put on hold.<BR> Go! Avoid talking about the war to locals.<BR>Enjoy. Thanks to everyone for getting me to GO!<BR>
Mar 29th, 2003, 07:15 AM
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Even if you talked about war to any of us Italians about war you wouldn't have been "assaulted" (not even verbally): one thing I have found differentiates the Italians from the Amerians is the safe subjects of discussion beteween strangers. To us politics is a safe subject and it is usually discussed with a great calm and equanimity. Only between friends (or in TV political debates) things get really heated.
Mar 29th, 2003, 08:00 AM
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I just came back from Florence and I confirm that even if the town was coloured by peace's flags,we always felt safe and proud to be Americans.No problems at restaurants or hotels,no problems with Italians.
Mar 29th, 2003, 08:32 AM
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I also just returned from Rome & Venice and found everyone quite friendly. Can highly recommend two hotels: Hotel Isa in Rome and Antico Doge in Venice. Incidentally, it appears that you can wear jeans anywhere in Rome as long as you wear them with good shoes. (Assuming you're not 100 lb. overweight.) That seemed to be the universal outfit.
Mar 29th, 2003, 09:39 AM
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I think what most people are missing is that Italy is part of the coalition. They're in this war as much as we are. Would Americans bother Italians if they came here? Some of all of us are for the war and some of all of us are against the war. Some are in the middle. France isn't in this with us so I can understand why some people might be slightly more concerned about attitudes there.
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Mar 29th, 2003, 09:58 AM
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Ann, an interesting thought is that, despite the fact that Spian ins the coalition too, Spaniards are more massively against the war than both Italian and French people. In Spain the no war side is over 90% of the total population...
Mar 29th, 2003, 10:04 AM
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To clarify why I was concerned- when I left the U.S. the news was full of anti-war protests in many Italian cities. Protests can turn ugly (like in Spain this week.) The U.S. State deparment had put out a Travel Advisory and the Italian Embassy site mentioned possibly closing for short periods. All I wanted was a relaxing vacation, so I had to think it thru.<BR> I totaly agree that any political views (a total of 1 in 8 days)were expressed with respect and warmth. I did get the feeling that MANY Italians are against this war, but hey-I was just a visitor out for a gilotti-I am no political analyst.<BR> I was also worried about airport security, but Munich's security was very detailed which made me feel good.<BR> So in all, it was great, the people, the art, the food - no worries just wine and the beauty of Italy.
Mar 30th, 2003, 03:33 PM
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kyeager, I was glad to read your post as my husband and I have the opportunity to go to Italy May 22-30 . It is an all expenses paid trip through his work and 10 couples accepted the invitation originally but 4 of them have decided not to go. We have discussed it since and are thinking "What could happen?" Security should be tight and I don't know what other factors could be an issue except for the anti-american feelings . But after reading what you have to say I feel better. I guess we will just wait and see for now. I also think the company that invited us would cancel if they felt there was reason enough to do so. In fact, they did have a statement as such in the letter of invitation. Thanks
Mar 31st, 2003, 12:38 AM
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Dear Jet519- I understand your concerns. Out of 40 people on our trip-all but 16 cancelled. The 16 people left had great attitudes and added to our overall experience.<BR> I also thought-What could happen? So I did all the little extra things like having extra copies of my passport with me and with someone at home, cell phone for immediate contact with family at home, we stayed at better hotels (I find them the most helpful when you are in a jam) and had the local phone number for the American Embassy in each area with me all the times. After all that, I just tried to relax and have a good time. And we certainly did.<BR> When we did get caught in an Anti-War protest march, I was a little nervous. I walked many blocks out of my way to avoid it, but it was huge. Finally, we just pushed into the crowd and made our way to the other side. Even in that sitiation the Italians were polite and friendly-I know I probably look American from a mile away.<BR> There was a small amount of Anti-American graffitti around Florence, but since I only know a few words in Italian I was not too insulted. <BR> I hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did. Ciao!
