People Watching

"People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home"   Dagobert D. Runes



The tree people in Florence, Italy

One of my favorite things to do is people-watch. Whenever we travel we like to take time to just sit down for awhile and watch the people around us. You learn more about a country watching the people, and sometimes you see some really strange things. For example: In 1992 we were in Italy for 3 weeks. While walking around a square in Florence we noticed some people who were dressed in very bright colored material and adorned with tree branches. We sat down and watched them for awhile. They were chanting something in Italian, so we assumed it might be some kind of demonstration or protest. They danced around some, they were quite entertaining, and they drew a crowd. We never found out what they were trying to do, but we did enjoy watching them.



Romans in Paris

Another interesting group we came upon in Paris in 2003. We were near the Eiffel Tower, and we had been walking for awhile, so we decided to sit down on a bench in a park and rest. We saw a group of teenagers coming towards us. They were dressed as ancient Romans, with capes, helmets, some had breastplates, and all had swords and shields made from cardboard. As we sat there watching them a business man, looking very dignified with his suit and briefcase, was headed in their direction. The business man held his briefcase in front of him like a shield and drew and imaginary sword and had an imaginary sword fight with one of the Roman kids. It was funny to watch. Everyone in the park was enjoying it. We asked the Romans if we could take their picture, so they gathered for a photo shoot.


Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

 Most times our people watching is just ordinary everyday stuff, and it is interesting how alike we all are, no matter what country we are from. We all do the same things, and have the same kinds of interaction with people. I loved Spain in the evenings, the squares become neighborhoods.  They set up tables for outdoor restaurants and everyone in the neighborhood comes out to mingle. They all greet each other, the kids play together, people have their dogs with them. It's a neighborhood, in the best sense.

So, when you travel, (either foreign or here at home), sit down, relax and take in the scenery around you, it's fascinating.