In response to ‘Share the streets,’ TF 153
Dear TF,
First I would just like to say thank you for sending me your issues over
these past years … It is my only contact with Florentine news since moving
back to New York last year. I am appreciative and have never felt compelled to
respond to anything written in your columns.
However, I must respond to your cover story, which ended in a question
regarding whether or not there should be ‘sidewalk zoning’ for tourists. Seeing
no place for an answer, I will place it here and hope someone will pay
attention to it … What is this world coming to? How stupid is this?
The territoriality ingrained so deeply in humans and the increasingly strict
border regulations around the world have now filtered down to municipalities
such as these. Firstly, do you think anyone will really stay in the lines? Feet
are not bicycles and the innate human spirit of walking freely will prevail.
What they did in New York was a prank, and a prank for a reason.
Second, having lived in tourist towns in Italy for over 15 years, I
understand well the frustrations of ‘tourist season,’ but I looked upon it in
the end not only as an asset, a blessing enriching the economy, but as an
opportunity for the cultural enrichment of those visiting to therefore increase
understanding. Having received a master’s degree in museum studies, where
tourist management is a part of the curriculum, [I have learned that] these
issues are being addressed and I trust solutions will be found. But ‘sidewalk
fencing’ is definitely not one of them.
Sincerely,
J. M. Cowdin
In response to ‘Florence from the inside,’ TF 153
Dear Editor,
I appreciated Julie Butterfield’s article about the issue of tour groups
clogging Florence’s streets, but I think an important point was missed. It is
one thing for two tour groups to battle for space, but another thing for
Florentine residents to have to battle large groups just to move down the road.
I find it infuriating every time I try to walk or bike down a street and the
entire span of that street is occupied by members of a tour group-and this
happens quite a bit.
I think a very simple solution could be to place some responsibility
with tour guides. How complicated could it be to ask tour participants to stand
to the side of the road so others can pass, for the guides to make sure their
groups are not blocking traffic entirely? Or to ask tour participants to heed
bells of bikes wishing to pass, or show some respect and move aside for those
on foot who need to pass the group? I think this is actually a serious issue,
and tour guides should take more responsibility for their groups. There must be
ways to keep the tourist industry booming while accommodating those who
actually live in and run this city.
Sincerely,
Emma Greenspan, Florence resident
