There is so much to see in Rome, but I will leave that to a Google search of “Top Things to do in Rome.” That being said, the Colosseum in person is something you will never forget. Massive, in the middle of the city, lays an arena built almost 2,000 years still mostly in tact. During the rule of the Roman Empire, it was home to festivals, gatherings, circuses, and the famous gladiatorial battles. This place could seat close to 100,000 people. From what I gathered, the gladiators were either forced in- POWs and criminals; or allowed in- average guys off the street trying to make a name for themselves. Win a battle as a prisoner and live to fight another day..... Win one as an average person, and have a chance to become a hero. A trip to Rome isn’t complete without a trip here.
Ok, story time! Walking around the outside of the Colosseum, there are all kinds of people walking around trying to sell you things- bottled water, the sticky toys you throw at the ground, the mini helicopters you shoot into the air, and NEW to the 2015 collection….. SELFIE STICKS!!! Just a year ago I was there and selfie stick stock hadn’t shot up yet. The guys selling them were, to the best of my knowledge, Bangladeshi guys. They would walk around and in their native accent and broken English say, “Hello, something?” These guys roamed around in packs, grabbing the name, “The Selfie Stick Mob." Technically you aren’t allowed to sell random goods on the Colosseum grounds, but that didn’t stop these guys in the least bit. However, the cops would put up an ill-fated attempt to stop them.
The Colosseum is down in a little bit of a crater, so there are hills and steps leading from the street down to the area outside of the arena. Situated near the entrance to the Colosseum were a couple cops, just as a precaution. The Selfie Stick Mob would run around selling bottled water in the crater, all the while trying to avoid these cops from interring with their business. As we were leaving from our visit, we stopped in the shade for a snack and some water. As we were standing there minding our own business, we see a cop try and apprehend one of the Bangladeshi guys for selling bottled water. When I say, "try and apprehend," that was as far as the cops got. I’ve seen some crazy stuff in my life, but never have I ever seen someone toy with the police. That shit doesn't fly in the US, man.
The officer would take a couple quick steps after the BG and the guy would just run through the crowd and towards the hill. After realizing the BG was faster, the cop stopped his pursuit and walked back towards his post. The Bangladeshi guy stood from a distance watching until the cop got about 30 feet away. The BG would then walk back down and continue business while keeping an eye on the cop. Cop returns, BG runs away. This process went on 3 or 4 times before the cop just gave up. Hell, I think he might have been embarrassed, there were hundreds of people in the area witnessing these shenanigans. We stood around for a few more minutes, even seeing 2 other guys getting somewhat chased by the cops for selling water.
In case you were wondering, the cops couldn't catch them either. It just didn’t even seem fair, I felt bad for the cops. Here was an average 5'11 cop trying to catch a 5’3, 135 pound guy from Bangladesh. It was like a kid trying to catch a squirrel, a 350 pound lineman trying to catch Russell Wilson, or trying to catch your 35 pound border collie when it ran away. It ain't happenin. Looking back, I’m not sure why we left, maybe Kaysee was tired of it? I could have watched it all day. Someone should pitch this as a tv show, because I’m all in on “Cops Can’t Catch the Selfie Stick Mob."
For some reason, I just saw this post. Great writing, Kaysee!
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