Sophia wrote on Jun 30
th, 2020 at 12:12am:
Jovial Monk wrote on Jun 29
th, 2020 at 8:15pm:
Most harrowing: really just gypsy women trying to pick my pocket on the outskirts of the Roman Forum—went to see Hadrian’s Arch.
I was almost pick pocketed in Rome.
I hate Rome by the way....can't stand the place.
Only thing good was the Colosseum.
And then, those pesky gypsy men dressed up as gladiators, to have photos taken with your camera, they hold the camera, and then, ask for money while they hold your camera!!
But the pick pocket scenario...was waking back from a restaurant with my then 17 yr old daughter.....cross those big scary roads, and those old buildings have deep door archways, where homeless sleep, and you can't see anyone there....well, after crossing what looked like an empty street, I felt my camera bag feel heavy all of a sudden, and I quickly looked, and there was this man, about late 20's, darting off, telling me my bag was opened and not to have it open.
I swore at him in Italian, probably thought we were silly Anglos that didn't understand...haha...you should have seen him take off.
So I never had a handbag, I had a camera bag, with wide strap, and lots of different zippers everywhere, hard to find where money is etc.
Got to think of these things.
One thing though, I learnt how to 'cross a street in rome' with busy traffic....you know there is a trick to it...don't you?
Even if it is a pedestrian striped walk way.
I love Rome, but the scammers and pickpockets are a pain in the arse.
I had a run in with a flower seller on the Spanish Steps, as well as one of those Centurions on the road that leads up to the Colosseum.
They're a real pain in the arse those guys.
And the women who sell scarves - had one come up to me at an alfresco restaurant.
She laid the scarves over my friend's phone on the table while she was talking to us (the scam is, they pick up the phone/wallet/whatever with the scarves when they leave, without you seeing).
I slid my hand under the scarves and pulled the phone out without HER seeing
I've had my pockets picked twice.
Once in Sarajevo, by two kids no older than 5 or 6.
The other time was in Malaysia, at that amusement park in the Genting Highlands.
One of the worst spots in the world for pickpockets is in Prague, at the Astronomical Clock.
When it does its thing at 11am, everyone holds up their cams/phones and takes pictures while the pickpockets just walk through and empty everyone's pockets and bags.
Be careful if you ever go there.
If you're aware of it, there's nothing to worry about though.
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