To Catch a Thief

Recently, while I was looking like a typical tourist traipsing aimlessly through Rome’s central train station market area, a petite teenager approached me and put her hands all over me, muttering in Italian as if she wanted a date. I told her my girlfriend was nearby and walked away.

Ten seconds later, I wondered what that was all about. I unzipped my waist pouch and discovered my wallet had been removed. I screamed, and a vendor (an angel probably) pointed down a street. I noticed the girl getting on a bus. I sprinted over, demanded my wallet back and yelled, “Polizia.” The wallet miraculously appeared, and she handed it over. It held travelers checks, currency and all my ID. I was extremely lucky.

It was a lesson. Why run around Rome with your wallet? Just carry enough money in your front pocket for the day.

JAMES JONES

North Hollywood