Valet Parking?

We're in a city where parking can be a challenge at times, to say the least. Increasing the challenge, the police periodically place temporary "no parking between x and y times on w and z days" signs in local spots. And they tend to place them at the time the first window of (non-) opportunity starts. Bear in mind that these little signs have a tow truck prominently placed on them. Meaning that it's unlikely you'll be towed (can't imagine getting a tow truck into the alleys I use!), but you WILL get a ticket. And the Italians take their parking tickets very very seriously -- I don't know how much they run, but I've been assured that they're steep.

Since I take my car out every other day, and often not at all on weekends, you can imagine that I've missed a few signs along the way. Have I had a ticket? Nope. Been towed? Not a chance (despite the fact that rather than a tow truck, it would only take 4 strong policemen to move my car). Instead, I get a ring at the door, and one of the policemen asks me very nicely to move my car.

Nice, huh? Well, it goes further...We thought we would be going to Sardinia next week (we've cancelled because of Ashley's exam schedule). I was concerned that they would create temporary (no-) parking rules, so I checked with one of the policemen I saw directing traffic. "Sure, no problem -- you can leave your keys in the office, and if we need your car moved, we'll do it for you while you're gone."

I guess I'd have had to check back in when we got home to find out where exactly my car had ended up...

Love,

Alexandra