Posted by Loulou on Jun 10, 2015 | 4 comments

I begged mama for my string, but I paid her back by giving her a bath.

Well, you know those people who beg on the streets everywhere? I should say “have to” beg but sometimes they really don’t have to and are part of a syndicate (at least here in Italy) that MAKES them beg on the streets and give everything to the head honchos. A lot of the gypsies in Rome are placed carefully on the streets to 1. beg and 2. sometimes pick pockets, and this is what makes mama sad.

Then there are others like the elderly people who have little dogs with them and ask for money because they have lost everything. Some of those people have been on the streets in Rome for decades and have no where to go. The neighborhood dwellers and merchants take care of them, or used to, but our Emiglia, for example, about whom I have written often, chooses to be on the street and asks for little and we all love her, each in our own way, because she is intelligent and loves to give wonderful information about all sorts of things and because she is never pushy; she does not assume people will give, she only asks and if you say no that day, she’s fine with it.

This marvelous lady from Nigeria has been near Largo Argentino, the cat refuge in Rome, for all the years mama and papa have visited their favorite city.

Today mama talked with her in sign language as she speaks only her Nigerian language. Mama saw that over the years, her hair has turned quite grey and so mama asked how old she was, something mama would never do, but this sweet lady was thrilled to pull out her documents from a very old bag full of her life’s possessions and show mama that she is 86 years old!

She has been on the street, dancing and singing for change, for over 35 years! One of her signs on the street reads, “Be happy!” And when you pass by and hear her singing her African songs, you ARE.

Mama feels that people who beg on the street are much more likely to get change if they are offering something in return, not just sticking out a hand. Especially if they are under 30, strong and able to work at something. Lots of kids on the street here juggle or play guitar or do fancy things with spools, etc. and they always get change. The ones who just stick out a hat don’t fare as well.

I could go hear the nice Nigerian lady but I don’t want to end up in the cat refuge!!!

Well, she doesn’t look 86, that’s for sure!