At the time of writing this, I have had the pleasure of spending six awesome days in Siena, Italy! Siena is a very beautiful city with a blend of charm, deep cultural traditions, and a strong sense of identity, and I can’t wait to continue to explore Siena in the coming weeks. However, although I am truly enjoying my study abroad experience and quickly feeling at home in this amazing town, I have encountered a cultural difference that has occasionally left me feeling uneasy while here in Siena.
In the heart of Siena, both pedestrians and drivers share the same road. Moreover, these shared roads are without defined traffic boundaries, therefore having no designated lanes for motor vehicles, nor dedicated sidewalks for pedestrians. As a result, the pedestrians and cars coexist on the same road, and remain in close proximity to one another. This road infrastructure starkly contrasts the more segregated streets that I am familiar with back in the United States. This dissimilarity has occasionally made me feel apprehensive to walk along these Siena streets, since I prioritize the safety of myself and my friends. Moreover, the narrowness and blind corners of these Siena streets only intensifies this feeling of nervousness from remaining so close to these vehicles.
However, sharing the road with cars has produced some unexpected benefits. This unique experience has allowed me to increase my environmental awareness while here in Siena. It serves as a constant reminder to remain vigilant, which is especially useful as a tourist in a foreign country. Furthermore, remaining vigilant helps me to reduce the risk of falling victim to common tourist perils such as pickpocketing.