Mind your wallet!

Buon giorno mi Amici


I was trying to recall whether I had mentioned the incident one day when my friend almost got pick pocketed while walking home from the Florency Academy art show.   There were about four of us and we were walking along on one of the larger streets.  She felt a tug on her purse and then realized it was open.  A young couple pretended to be window shopping and luckily her wallet was still there.


Another friend and I were shopping on Sunday as the museum we intended to go to see was closed.  We went to a clothing store called H&M...I think there is one in Toronto as well.  Anyhow what caught my eye was this young woman, very attractive and slim, browsing through the racks of clothing for older and overweight women.  She was carrying what I thought was the most ugly top I have ever seen so I stared in wonderment as to whether that was really for her or maybe for her mother.  Then as I am observing this young woman I notice her crowding into these two elderly English women.  She smoothly lifted the hanger with the ugly garment in front of me trying to make her way past this elderly woman and I could see her hand reaching behind the garment she was holding into the lady's purse.  When I realize what she was doing I yelled to the woman "she is pick pocketing your purse" and I grabbed the wallet before the young woman could take it.   The two elderly woman seemed to be in shock and I reiterated....this young lady in front of me...who had now turned her back to me and pretended to be browsing...just picked your pocket.  Hang on to your wallets ladies.  At that point the young woman slid out of the store....and of course she stole something as the bells and whistles went off when she exited.  Interestingly enough no one ran after her.   I proceeded to the lower level to continue my shopping and when I finally left the store...I saw the young woman again in the same section...just browsing....or waiting for her next victim.  As I exited, I noticed a young man who looked familiar and realized that this was the couple that tried to pick pocket my friend.  So when the travel advisory indicates the potential for pick pockets...pay attention.  I have witnessed the crime.  
Never a dull moment in this wonderfully beautiful city Firenze.  Ciao!