A typical pedestrian experience in Rome

Walking through the streets of Rome and Siena are two completely different experiences. In Rome, where streets occasionally serve as sidewalks, a pedestrian is a toy. An object that a driver tries to avoid as little as possible; swerving, dodging, braking at the last second in their attempt to navigate this chaos called Rome. In Siena, on the other hand, the sidewalks are occasionally used as streets; cars are nearly impossible to spot among the crowds of people. In fact, the car is now a toy. An object powerless to force its way through the crowd; at the mercy of the crowd. These experiences greatly influence the way one moves through, and therefore, views and interacts with the city. Rome traps you in its chaos, forces you to survive as an active character in its game. Siena allows one to follow their own course, to meander through the medieval streets, without fear of game over.

A typical pedestrian experience in Siena