| Author | Thread |
|
|
04/28/2006 10:47:56 AM · #26 |
post,
I was a kid and some guy made obscene actions towards me. Think about it. Doesn't take a genius that some action was needed to send a message.
|
|
|
|
04/28/2006 01:09:59 PM · #27 |
Originally posted by Cutter:
post,
I was a kid and some guy made obscene actions towards me. Think about it. Doesn't take a genius that some action was needed to send a message. |
I'm not going to get into it with you. I just couldn't let a comment like that go unquestioned.
|
|
|
|
04/28/2006 01:19:23 PM · #28 |
Originally posted by posthumous:
Originally posted by Cutter:
post,
I was a kid and some guy made obscene actions towards me. Think about it. Doesn't take a genius that some action was needed to send a message. |
I'm not going to get into it with you. I just couldn't let a comment like that go unquestioned. |
We were discussing Italy and travelling, not gay bashing. Seems we have gay-bashers aboard here. Let's travel on :-)
Message edited by author 2006-04-28 13:19:45.
|
|
|
|
04/28/2006 01:19:32 PM · #29 |
I lived in one of the most crime ridden places in Italy for 2.5 years and I never got pickpocketed, or anything. You just need to keep your wits about you and don't do silly things like walking in dark alleyways at night, even if accompanied. If you rent a car, do not leave anything in the car, specially not in plain sight. Have a good time and don't be paranoid, Italy is a great place!
June
|
|
|
|
04/28/2006 01:24:19 PM · #30 |
I have been to Italy many times, nothing ever happened.
We had a week in Rome, which worried us the most - we had heard of car windows being smashed in to get to valuables. As a precaution, we stored whatever was valuable in the trunk (boot for us Aussies), but made sure the interior of the car was clean. No jackets that could be covering valuables and no bags. We cleaned out the glove box and left it wide open.
I don't know if our precautions made the difference, but nothing happened to us - only great sightseeing and memories. |
|
|
|
04/28/2006 08:43:46 PM · #31 |
Originally posted by GuGi:
Originally posted by posthumous:
Originally posted by Cutter:
post,
I was a kid and some guy made obscene actions towards me. Think about it. Doesn't take a genius that some action was needed to send a message. |
I'm not going to get into it with you. I just couldn't let a comment like that go unquestioned. |
We were discussing Italy and travelling, not gay bashing. Seems we have gay-bashers aboard here. Let's travel on :-) |
Hmmm, looks like we have political-correctness-gone-mad people here... the way I read the story, it was about an inappropriate sexual advance. What would the difference be if a guy made obscene gestures towards a young girl, and someone hit him?
|
|
|
|
04/28/2006 08:48:18 PM · #32 |
Bobster,
I was gonna let it die, but can I simply Thank You for your honest and supportive comment. You read it exactly right. I am not bashing anyone, and I was only a high school student. But to me, if someone made any untoward advance, sexual or physically aggressive, you have a right to defend.
But GuGi, this is about Italy (my favorite country in Europe) and us passing on stories about safety, precautions and well wishes. I only added that last bit as comic relief/story telling of other occurences. Perhaps I shouldn't have. Oh well....sometimes people just don't....ahem, sorry Bobster, open their eyes to what people are really trying to say. Peace.
|
|
|
|
04/28/2006 09:55:03 PM · #33 |
There has been some great advice on this thread. All of it is good. I travelled with a Crumpler bag with a D70, two lenses. I mainly had a 10-20mm wide on, but occasionally swapped to a telephoto. When I did, I did so with my family around me. I tried to be quick. As a result, I gathered a bit of sensor dust along our 6 week trip. I would suggest you take some sensor wipes with you.
One other thing, In Italy, when you don't see prices posted, ask how much something is before you buy it: 'quanto costa per piacere?'. We were totally ripped off by a gelati vendor in Rome. Usually a medium gelati is aroun 3 Euros. We bought 3 and he billed us $22 Euros. I questioned the big ugly guy and he shrugged his shoulders and said that's the price. I should have just left them all on the counter, told him what a fool he was beleiving I would pay that price, and then walked out. But the shock and the lack of confidence I had that day (and I am of Italian descent and can speak the language) I just paid...
As for the gypsy's, always walk tall and confident. The kids are the ones to watch out for. We had no problem. Rome is crowded with them. Florence on the other hand, they seem more orderly. I loved Florence so much I could live there, no problem. It's one of my favourite cities in the world.
Also, Venice is awesome...just watch those narrow croded streets leading to the Piazza San Marco. The signs are really confusing. Many of them are set up by vendors that want you to walk past their stores...we often felt like we were walking in circles.
Check out my portfolio, I have a few shots from both Florence and Venice.
Have fun and don't be too paranoid! Italy is wonderful!
From then on, we asked the price of everything.
|
|
|
|
04/28/2006 10:42:20 PM · #34 |
Originally posted by hotpasta:
In Italy, when you don't see prices posted, ask how much something is before you buy it: 'quanto costa per piacere?'. |
And don't forget to haggle.
In markets and with street vendors you're pretty much expected to argue about the price, listen to them tell you that you're taking the food off their family's table and their bambini will starve because of you, but that's half the fun :-) |
|
|
|
04/28/2006 10:57:39 PM · #35 |
One thing I did when I went to London (they have a pickpocket problem...or so I was told) but I put safety pins through all my zipper holes so that way they couldn't get in my bag! The other thing one Britian told me was that even with one hand on the camera all they have to do is cut your strap and yank that camera out of the hand...then it's gone forever...so both hands or even two straps, one that hangs around the neck and the other that can be loosely hung around your waist...so if they cut the one...they cannot steal it without a bit of a struggle!
Me and my fiance are going to Italy sometime for our honeymoon...it would be awesome if you can give me tips on what you did and where you went! |
|
|
|
04/29/2006 03:40:51 AM · #36 |
Great advice. I will most definitely get back to you all about my experience when I return. We will be flying into Venice and staying there for 3 days. During that time we hope to spend a day in Murano. The travel agent who helped us arranged for a driver to pick us up in Venice and then drive us down through the country to make stops along the way for photographic opportunities as opposed to taking the train to Florence. It is expensive, but I figure I may never have this chance again. We will also make plans for him to take us to Tuscany to visit a Winery and hopefully some of the smaller towns along the way. The rest of the time we will spend in Florence. I will be in Italy for a Week. My son will be staying an extra week and travel to Rome and then back up to Florence to take a 3 day cooking class (A passion of his). He was not interested in visiting any of the museums but I am planning on dragging him to the Accademia which houses Michelangelo's David. Those are basically our plans; Eat, Photograph, do some shopping, and simply enjoy.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to some "Must See" photographic opportunities or places to visit or eat? I would be grateful for any suggestions. Also, a few questions. 1) What is the custom for tipping at restaurants and hotels etc? Is it better to bring all the Euros I will need with me or is it better to exchange in Italy? Do most places accept Mastercard or visa credit cards or am I better paying cash? I have rented an international cell phone but are there convenient locations for internet access which will allow me to stay in contact with home and of course check in with DPC!! Is there a time when one should no longer be in the streets at night or too early in the morning for safety concerns (I would like to get some night shots as well as early morning sunrise pictures). How about the weather in May during the day and evening? What dress is appropriate and comfortable for the activities I have planned? Are there convenient shops available for buying necessities such as tylenol, toothpaste, shaving cream, etc. or should I plan to bring them. I usually do not make such long posts because I don't wish to bore anyone but you have all been so helpful I hope you don't mind. Thanks again. |
|
|
|
04/29/2006 04:08:15 AM · #37 |
Lawrence, when we were in Florence, there's an excellent cafe right at the Piazza Della Republica, the main piazza in town. It's called GILLI'S and it was started in the 1700's. If you love espressos like I do, youMUST get one here. If you order and drink it at the bar, it will be about 90 Euros...have it at a table and it's about $3.50 Euros!!! But the setting is amazing. The bar itself has many photographic opportunities. I would take a 70-200 2.8 along and just photograph candids all day in the Piazza!
You don't have to tip unless you really want to, as when you sit down you are charged for service. We usually rounded up the bill to the nearst 5 euros.
For cash, use your EFTPOS card and withdraw directly from your own account. Usually there's a charge back home, but it's better to do this...you can either load up your VISA or if you have a card with CIRRUS or the like, there are heaps of autobanks in and around Florence and Rome. Make sure you approach the autobanks at the right times when it's busy in the streets...that is, don't go there at night alone! Pay Visa for most stuff, but never let your credit card out of your site. Always go with them or to the counter to do your transactions and watch everything. There are a lot of scams in this area.
In Florence there are a couple of fantastic internet cafes with great connections...one is a couple of streets down from the Piazza. there are plenty in Rome as well and usually they are packed with tourists. You may want to take a memory stick with you to send shots thought for challenges at dpc! or to send to friends!
The May weather will be spectacular!
Wear jeans, t-shirst, shirts. I took a toiletries bag with all that I needed, but there are plenty of little supermarkets, albeit a little expensive. Take a lightweight tripod for night shots.
I took a power board with me with about 6 outlets that I plugged into a multipurpose plug into the italian power system. that way I could recharge my Tablet PC, iPaq, Camera batteries, Shaver etc...
As far as being out in the streets, I found Florence was alive till near midnight and then most things were closed and the police kept a good watch on the streets. there are no cars around and most people get around by bikes.
Feel free to email me with more questions if you wish. Florence is one of my most favourite places, so I have lots of info having spent 7 days there last year in November...
Cheers
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/04/2025 04:46:29 AM EDT.
