After years of struggling with the difficulty of building an adequate mass transit system in order to resolve the atrocious traffic and smog problems, Romans are finally breathing a sigh of relief.
The current two (count that, two!) subway lines took close to 40 years to build. Every 50 feet the engineers would hit another temple, domus, or forum… each meaning years of delays.
“There it was, staring us in the face. Those very same Roman ruins that made the first two lines such a nightmare to build have made the third a breeze,” stated the ANAS (transit agency) spokesperson.
In a rare Roman application of Occam’s Razor (the simplest solution is always the best), about 18 months ago it was decided that the Aurelian Walls were perfect for the job. No need to dig, they entirely circumnavigate the city, and they complement the quite useless X formation of the two current subway lines, creating an efficient and modern hub and spoke system. (see map)
“Arch, aqueduct, cement, roads… to these we must add mass transit planning, and thank our forefathers once again,” he concluded.
While nowhere near the entire 27 kms. of the walls have been converted over to the new transit system, the first monorail section between San Giovanni and Piramide is already operational. Tickets available at Tobacconists and news stands…
…ask for a pesce d’Aprile. (Italian for “April fool’s”)
– Contributed by GB (see bio), Editor, Italian Notebook.
If only…! Nice one GB. E buona Pasqua!
Yikes, you got me on this one! Too good to be true. Bravo, bravissimo.
I look forward to your April Fool’s joke each year. Bravo.
You got me too! I was wondering if the Roman engineers had really taked a thorough look at the stability of the wall!
Ha! You got me going there! That’s a good one for sure! Bravo!
Oh, you evil prankster, you got me this time too.
Ciao GB, well done on the Photoshop work as well!
I LOVE this! I was reading and going this is good! Then I saw the picture and the tag. Made me laugh (which is a good thing). Thank you for making my day!
Perhaps lighter trains…?
You sure did get me on this one. I love your Italian Notebook. You do a FABULOUS job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, you rascal you!! What a great view it would be from the top of the wall!
hahahaha!
Wonderful!!!
Very funny! As I read this, I believed it to be true, until I saw the foto. However, this might be a good idea.
ciao GB:
I was wondering what had happened to you as I had not seen any of your writings recently? My husband Lidano, is leaving for Milano soon and they will be partnering on a light rail project for Panama City in Panama. I hope to be able to come and maybe I’ll take the train to Roma for a visit with close friends for a few days. Come sempre….vedremo!
un abbraccio,
linda
Oh! It was unclear that my husband’s engineering firm would be in partnership with an engineering firm in Milano. Sometimes communication is difficult!
Linda
Hahaha! I look forward to your pesce d’Aprile….this was very clever! Buona Pasqua!
Ah! You got me! I totally fell for it. Magari!
I read that they were going to remove the cap over the running water, suspend a water wheel from under the train and let the water propel the train. Problem was that it could only go down hill.
Oh you are a rascal, GB! I always love yours!! And you had me until the end (I’m so gullible!)… Nice one! Buona Pasqua to you and your dear mother!
Abbraccio e baci,
Peggy and Bob
Excellent! This one really made me laugh.
An excellent idea!
GB -
You dawg! Had me going, I thought Rome might have gotten a clue since I left lol. Hope all is well, buona pasqua!
GB, even better than the cupola of St. Peter’s on last year’s April lst!!
Anther terrific pesce di Aprile. Aase Schoen