~ Single ~

Ha ha....you thought that meant something else....hee hee

Single digits...we are now in SINGLE DIGITS for the count down to Europe.

We've been doing lots of research on our destinations...their culture, language, sites and people. As beautiful and ancient and mysterious as it all is...is seems that stealing is the biggest thing to watch for. Pickpocket Professionals. The advice given...be direct. Which means if someone is stalling, causing a scene or giving your their baby (what?!) then you are to be direct, in your language or theirs..."Go Away!". They're not interested in the loud overbearing Canadian. They want the easy prey of the confused, loaded down with luggage tourist who doesn't have a clue where they're going. I'm very excited for this permission to be rude. How many times have you had someone near you, talking to you, selling you something and you try to be polite....but really you want to look at them..."GO AWAY!".

I'll be practising from now on, try not to run into me between now and next tuesday.

So the baby scam? Gypsy lady comes up to you and tries to hand you her baby. You automatic response is to take the baby. After all...its a BABY, you're not going to drop the baby. And as you take said gorgeous exotic baby, she reaches into your bag. Lovely. Nice lesson in manners. So our solution, if we're presented with a baby....

1. Take the baby and run, sell it on the black market.

2. Take the baby and play the "throw them in the air as high as possible until they get that fun fun fun...SCARED look on their face".

3. Take the baby and give her your bag, she wants it anyways...she doesn't know that it's full of toilet paper...and hey, now you have a souvenir from Italy.

4. Take the baby, shake it up a little, hand it back. If it's not crying, it's eaten recently.

So again, if you see me in the next week...don't give me your baby....it may not turn out well.