As last March began to draw near, I held a casual and informative meeting for the 15 people who were brave enough to trust me to take them to Rome and Western Turkey for 12 days. Who better to do this than someone as myself who had spent 16 years living in Germany, Greece and Turkey; someone who had embraced the cultures as well as the histories of each?
During the meeting, the more I talked, the more apprehensive my fellow travellers became. I warned them against the typical American faux paux of white tennis shoes, sweatsuits, baseball caps, and bright colors. Please understand that this warning was not an indication that I was ashamed of my country. Quite to the contrary, I spent 25 years proudly teaching our nation's history. But one of the things I've learned through many years of foriegn travel is that Americans are the least savvy and street wise of them all, and in many cities throughout the world (the pick pocket hubs) you do not want to draw attention to this fact.
Getting back to the meeting, I modeled rather slim fitting jeans (you know, taking my age into consideration), Euro style shoes, and a scarf wrapped around my neck, once again, Euro style. And since we were going to be in Rome, one of the worst places in the world for pick pockets, I also suggested to the ladies that they downsize their handbags, and if possible, even carry them under their coats. This was met with more acceptance than my suggestion that they wear dark colors. The next few weeks were spent with a few of them pulling me aside to ask if I approved of what they were currently wearing and would it be okay on the streets of Rome?
With the exception of a couple, most of my fellow travellers took my advice, and upon arrival in Rome, (a fabulous walking city), we moved around inconspicuously in our sea of black, brown, and navy. I'm absolutely serious when I say that 95% of the Romans wear black. While in the Piazza di Spagna, my friends tried to coax me into Prada, but all I could do was point to the Spanish Steps, a very popular meeting point, and ask, "Where's the color?" I kid you not, with the exception of the occasional American tourist, all were in black! Later, while admiring Hadrian's magnificent work of art, the Pantheon, I was shocked to see a splash of color out of the corner of my eye! As I slowly turned my head in that direction, the splash became a sea. A tour group that screamed American came into the piazza, wearing, what else but brightly colored sweat suits, jogging suits, and white tennis shoes. I elbowed my friend, tilted my head in their direction, and asked her where she thought they were from. She rolled her eyes, shook her head, and asked,"Are we going shopping for boots next to the Trevi or not?"
During the meeting, the more I talked, the more apprehensive my fellow travellers became. I warned them against the typical American faux paux of white tennis shoes, sweatsuits, baseball caps, and bright colors. Please understand that this warning was not an indication that I was ashamed of my country. Quite to the contrary, I spent 25 years proudly teaching our nation's history. But one of the things I've learned through many years of foriegn travel is that Americans are the least savvy and street wise of them all, and in many cities throughout the world (the pick pocket hubs) you do not want to draw attention to this fact.
Getting back to the meeting, I modeled rather slim fitting jeans (you know, taking my age into consideration), Euro style shoes, and a scarf wrapped around my neck, once again, Euro style. And since we were going to be in Rome, one of the worst places in the world for pick pockets, I also suggested to the ladies that they downsize their handbags, and if possible, even carry them under their coats. This was met with more acceptance than my suggestion that they wear dark colors. The next few weeks were spent with a few of them pulling me aside to ask if I approved of what they were currently wearing and would it be okay on the streets of Rome?
With the exception of a couple, most of my fellow travellers took my advice, and upon arrival in Rome, (a fabulous walking city), we moved around inconspicuously in our sea of black, brown, and navy. I'm absolutely serious when I say that 95% of the Romans wear black. While in the Piazza di Spagna, my friends tried to coax me into Prada, but all I could do was point to the Spanish Steps, a very popular meeting point, and ask, "Where's the color?" I kid you not, with the exception of the occasional American tourist, all were in black! Later, while admiring Hadrian's magnificent work of art, the Pantheon, I was shocked to see a splash of color out of the corner of my eye! As I slowly turned my head in that direction, the splash became a sea. A tour group that screamed American came into the piazza, wearing, what else but brightly colored sweat suits, jogging suits, and white tennis shoes. I elbowed my friend, tilted my head in their direction, and asked her where she thought they were from. She rolled her eyes, shook her head, and asked,"Are we going shopping for boots next to the Trevi or not?"
Thank you for starting this site - it is very entertaining, as well as, very informative. I know I would enjoy going on one of your tours. You seem to know exactly what you are doing and why you are doing it. I look forward to more information you post. I am not much of a traveler, but if I do decide to take a trip to any of these places, I would not even consider going with anyone else but you. Great site - keep it up.
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