If you travel to Central or Eastern Europe, you're bound to encounter the Romani. Though they are involved in a number of trades, family or clan teams work the streets in tourist areas -- begging, performing, selling.
Romas, or Gypsies, are a nomadic people originally from the Punjab region of India. They entered Europe early on in the Middle Ages, migrating through Persia, Asia Minor, and the Balkans. They were labeled "Gypsies" because Europeans mistakenly thought they were Egyptian. For centuries they've been treated as pariahs, weathering hardship, persecution, and genocide (Holocaust). And they generally appear to live in squalor.
One learns quickly not to reward Roma beggars -- a token given attracts a horde. A nuisance unwilling to leave empty handed. On the other hand, Roma merchandisers are at least amusing. They'll haggle a bit then move on for more peddling -- whether one buys or not. On this particular afternoon in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, our group was approached by two Romas, offering Rado watches for $5. Fakes, of course. Indulge us a bit, please -- $1? Okay, $2.
Mine ran for five minutes and then fell apart the next day.
Expected. Entertained.
