… do as the Romans do!

This year I spent spring break in Rome. For any future travelers, I have put together a few guidelines on how to survive the city and some little-known facts that I gathered during my stay.

10. Cars, as cute and interesting as they are, have drivers who don't like people stopping for people who walk in the street. Keep your eye out for any oncoming cars to prevent being hit and ultimately run over.

9. The sidewalks and streets in Rome are made of squares of brick. Bring a suitcase that can easily be dragged. If not you will probably embarrass yourself by having to stop every two minutes to steady your suitcase that is toppling over because it got stuck, thus holding up the entire group you are traveling with. (Not that this ever happened to me — it's just good advice.)

8. Be patient with the seat belts. Unlike with American cars, the traditional yanking and clicking doesn't work in Rome. The whole tugging-as-hard-as-you-can thing doesn't work either. Simply pull the seat belt gently over your lap and clip it right away.

7. Be prepared for very bumpy driving. Your butts have been warned.

6. Be a vegetarian when going to dinner. No doubt your meal will be 10 times better than the meat eaters'.

5. There are a bunch of people with guns standing around who I assumed were soldiers. Look as innocent around them as possible. They looked like they were completely comfortable with guns in their hands. Which isn't a very pleasant thought.

4. When walking in the streets, be prepared for secondhand smoke. It seemed as if two-thirds of the population was smoking and the other third was smacking on gum — most likely nicotine flavored.

3. Bottled water comes with a tiny plastic cup. Cute. A little wasteful. But cute.

2. Italian people all seem to be tall and thin, which translates into similarly shaped doorways, hallways, and elevators.

And the No. 1 most important fact of them all …

If you aren't sure whether you are allowed to take rocks from the Colosseum, simply (and subtly) take your foot out of your shoe, grab a rock with your toes, and quickly put the rock and your foot back into your shoe!