01 February 08

The File

The File

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Your shout in Fuerteventura

What do you dislike in fellow passengers?

IFARA BELLI, 23, ECOLOGIST	VIVIENNE LEON, 20, WAITRESS
"I hate people who hog the armrest. I want it."	"When someone wants to strike up a conversation with you. If I’m quiet, I’d like them to be quiet too."
DANNY AND EVA KALLMEHER, 24, 20, STUDENTS
"We’ve just got off a cruise, and most people were quite old. It’s nice to travel with people your own age."

Rites of passage

Random customs, rituals, festivals and superstitions

SANTA FRANCESCA ROMANA CHURCH, ROME

If you follow the Catholic faith you’ll want to get your bits and pieces blessed, and in Italy that includes your car. Every year on 9 March at the Santa Francesca Romana church next to the Colosseum, vehicle owners do just that.

And in Italy, that means buses, taxis and trams, too! Although the practice has died out a bit in recent years due to traffic restrictions, loads of pious motorists still turn up to be promised divine intercession and protection when driving. The 15th-century St Frances of Rome is the patron saint of cars, because apparently an angel used to light the road in front of her with a lantern when she travelled. It’s the saint’s feast day on 9 March, so why not turn up to join in the celebrations and recieve some much-needed protection on the roads!