Beggars: To Give, or Not To Give.

While on holiday in Rome, you are inevitably going to get asked for money directly and indirectly by gypsies, beggars, and other interesting characters.

Some of these beggars (tumors all over the head, no arms, you know the ones)  manage to pull on my heartstrings until I toss over a few coins. Others just make me mad (especially the ones who put their sedated babies out on the street to solicit).

Yesterday as I was on my way to sign in guests for a Vatican Tour, I came across this piece of work. Hunched over in prayer, steps from St. Peter's Church, she puts it all out there for passersby on holiday in Rome to see (and give).

 
While normally I wouldn't give her anything, I actually thought about it (after all, I snapped her picture, maybe that is worth a few cents). UNTIL she turned my way.

Wait a minute! Do you see what I see! Peeking out from under that kerchief is a woman who looks to be my age! She doesn't look too hungry either, in my humble opinion. Better luck next time mate, I've got a Vatican Tour to deal with.