Today I write from the Eurostar train to Florence for our week there as somewhat of a class field trip. Walking to the Rome Center this morning from Trastevere, I was amazed by how interactive and happy people are so early in the morning. It seems as though people know I am foreign even when I wear European clothing and avoid speaking English - it is because I'm not seen greeting locals in the morning as I pass. I heard buongiornos and saw embraces and cheek-kisses all over the place in Trastevere. It is such a small town concept so strange to see in a place as big as Rome. Is is because the people are more friendly and interactive in the Italian culture, or does each sect of the city function as a small community? Or both? Either way, people should have been more grumpy. It was way too early. Good mornings don't start until at least 8:30.
Also, I forgot to mention witnessing my first pickpocketing. Well, I only really saw him get caught, and he didn't pick my pockets (I don't think), but it was on the crowded way home from the beach on Sunday. After it all happened, it seemed pretty obvious; he walked over between me and another man standing near me with a bag - which was really strange in retrospect because there was plenty of room elsewhere to stand - and just rode standing for a while. After a stop or two, he bent over to tie his shoe or something and must have grabbed something from the guy next to him. In all honesty, he could have stolen from someone else, but this seems most likely (he was good). A short bit later, he tried to jump off the train as the doors were shutting, but a good samaritain grabbed hold of his shirt; he refused to let go until the subway doors reopened, when he was able to jump out and stop him. By the time the whole process was over, there were about eight strangers altogether surrounding him, collectively interrogating him and probably ready to take him to the polizia. It was definitely a feel good story in action. And yes, my wallet was safely stowed for the whole deal.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment