Gypsies

My first attempt to go out in Italy by myself, consorting with locals and I get burgularized. Gee whiz, I feel so worldly.

I go into this little cafe near my hostel, it's a combination bar (cafe's are called bars, bars are called pubs) and eatery. I speak English to the extremely attractive worker, I think he understands me, but pretends not to. I order some vino russo and this breaded chicken dealy that is suppossed to come with potatoes. There is an old woman working there, who I swear must I have seen atleast three times in Rome since then, but I figure they all just look the same to me. She motions for me to sit down, which I don't realize costs more than standing at the bar, which most of the Italians do, while downing espresso. I sit with my back to the bar, big mistake.

This younger guy comes in with his moped helmet. I put my jacket on the back of the chair next to me. Big mistake. It's obvious to me that the guy knows the old woman, even though I don't understand what they're saying. I get the food with plastic utensils, which break when I use them on the chicken.

The guy goes to pay for his panini and drops a whole bunch of change, a lot of which falls by my chair. I don't immediately go to pick it up because it seems invasive. The woman comes out from behind the counter and helps him pick it up... which seems weird. I pick up a coin and give it to him. He makes some sort of sign, puts his hands up like he's giving me a high five. I smile, what the fuck. He does it again, distracting me. I finish my crappy meal, pay and leave. I still have my passport as it is in my nifty concealed pocket on the inside of my coat. I think I have everything. Seems normal, I go back to my hostel, none the wiser.

A few hours later I'm getting ready to go out with this American girl (from Boston) that I met at the hostel named Amy and notice that I can't find my coin purse. Fuck. It was in my pocket. I check all my bags. Nowhere to be found.

The old bitch must have taken it out of my pocket when the shithead was distracting me with his hands.

Fucking gypsies.