Rome, Italy
We were told that Rome was the pickpocket capital of the world, but we had no idea it was this bad. There are scam artists, thieves and pickpockets EVERYWHERE. We really hadn’t been concerned about our belongings in any of the other places we visited. Here, we’re concerned everywhere we go. Luckily, nothing has been stolen from us – yet. But, there have been 3 attempts so far – that we’re aware of.
Yesterday, we went to Vatican City. We mailed some post cards home from the Vatican post office – so be on the lookout! We visited the Vatican church, Basilica di San Pietro, and saw where the Pope makes his addresses. Unfortunately, he wasn’t out while we were there. He will be speaking on the 6th for Epiphany, which is a big holiday in Rome, and we may go then. The Sistine Chapel was closed the day we went so we’re going back tomorrow to see that.
On the way to Vatican City, we stopped at the metro stop for Piazza del Popolo, or Plaza of the People, for lunch. There is a big church there and lots of statues we wanted to see. While we were walking around the plaza and trying to take a photo of ourselves a man approached us. He was holding a bouquet of flowers and offered to take our photo.
We said “no graci,” which means no thanks but he wouldn’t leave. He kept trying to talk to us and give me flowers. We kept saying no, but he shoved the flower in my hand and kept telling us to take the photo with them. He spoke a little english, so I said I didn’t want them. He said, “Take them. Take them. They are a gift. Take a photo.”
We snapped a quick photo with the flowers and tried to give them back. He wouldn’t take them and kept saying they were a gift. We kept saying we didn’t want them. This whole time we’re feeling very uncomfortable, so finally I just said, “OK thanks” and we started walking away.
As we’re walking away he grabs Josh’s shoulder and starts making a money sign with his hands.
Josh said no and I tried to hand the flowers back again. He said “no, for you” again. So we turned away again. Then, he grabs Josh’s shoulder again and said, “You need to pay me something.” At this point, I had had enough, so I shoved the flowers back into the bouquet he was still holding and grabbed Josh’s hand and we walked away.
Today, we visited all the old traditional Roman stuff. There was so no free tour for Rome, so we really don’t have our bearings of the city quite yet. But, we both agreed that we liked this older part of the city the best so far.
As we exited the metro station, someone handed us a flyer for a lasagna restaurant nearby. We headed that way and it turned out to be delicious. It was like lasagna fast food and came in an individual sized dish with a side of fries.
On the way back, we went up a hill to get a scenic view of the coliseum and Palatine Hill. To get off the viewing area, we had to walk down this winding staircase. I headed down the stairs while Josh snapped a few more photos. On my way down I passed three big, buff guys dressed like Centurion soldiers. When I got down the stairs I looked up and saw one solider guy taking a photo of an older man and woman and another was standing in the photo. It was very clear that the man didn’t want him in the photo and was saying “no, no” over and over again. The guy dressed as the solider took the photo then all three surrounded him and demanded money.
Josh wasn’t down yet, so I started back up to find him and warn him about the soldiers. Of course, when I get back up to where the soldiers are, they are talking to Josh and asking if he wanted to take a photo with him. I yelled for him the come down the stairs and they called for me to come up and take a photo together. I said NO and told Josh we HAD to go, so he followed me. But the guys yelled for us to come back for a photo the whole way down.
After that, we walked around the Palatine Hill for a few hours. It was absolutely beautiful. It is hard to believe that it has only been uncovered for a few hundred years. It was very cool to see the excavation sites everywhere and walk on some of the original steps. We made our way to the Roman Forum and sat in a corner to rest before heading home.
Our camera had died an hour or so before, but I really wanted a picture of the forum. Josh got out his tablet so we could take a photo with that. The whole time this really creepy old lady had been standing nearby. As soon as we pulled the tablet out she walked over closer to us. When we started taking a picture of us she began saying “oh, how nice. But too close. Let me. Let me.” We said no and she tried again and reached for the tablet. We quickly put it back in the bag and she walked away.
We watched her walk a little ways up the path and go up to another family taking photos and try the same thing. It looked like they sent her away, too.
We had some gelato for a snack and came home after that. We’re thinking of going to a ballet tonight, but the aggressive street vendors are even worse at night. You can tell which ones are selling stolen things by waiting until a cop drives by – half of them will grab their things and run away.
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