We have been vacationing in Italy the last week. Spent 4 days in Rome and decided right away, I AM NOT DRIVING IN ROME!

We have been in Florence (Firenze) this week and rented a Ford Fiesta diesel with automatic stick (oxymoron). The shift is really nice, works almost exactly like a standard shift, just no clutch. You really have to row it to get the best performance.

Driving in Taiwan for 2 1/2 years and track days and slaloms truly prepared me for this experience (especially around traffic circles). There is NO intimidation of this Yankee! I have had no problem asserting myself in traffic and I have to say it was FUN!

Drove to Maranello today (just under 200 KM) to see the Galleria Ferrari (somewhat disappointing, will talk about that later). On the way there the Autostrada was in great shape and allowed for some good high speed cruising. Along the way the Italian road crews were working on the road and closed one of the lanes. There was ample warning and people were merging cleanly, EXCEPT....the moron in a last gen 3 series who decided he would not let me over. He was behind the car next to me and pulled right up (no kidding) within about 4 inches of the car in front's bumper. I was less than 6 inches off the right rear fender of the car in front of his. We are cruising along like this at around 80KM. I stayed righ on the fender of the car and he kept pace 4 inches back, occasionally blowing his horn and reving his engine.

I finally waived him back with my left hand, which did no good. I was not about to let him keep me from merging left and was running out of road fast. I was waiting for a little hesitation and zoom I would be in front of him. Just before running out of space (and time) I slammed my hand down on his hood (yep, we were running that close to each other). He hesitated, and I zoomed...right in front of him! Ahhhh the joys of drining! LOL

Off to Scotland next week. Let's see steering wheel on the right, drive on the left....just need to keep that straight or there will be some hairy bouts of Chicken to be played......