There they are, like a lion hiding in the brush waiting for the perfect time to make their move. The gypsies focus on one tourist with a stream of people walking towards them. Little did the tourist know that as they continued to walk down the street they were being stalked by a women wearing a long colorful dress with an off white shirt caring a bundle of braches. Spain offers many places that have stood the test of time and were homes to many people. One such group of people are the gypsies.

Gypsies can be seen wherever there is a location that brings in a lot of tourists. It should be said that if one does come up to you, it is advisable to just say no thank you and walk away. However, there are always some tourists that get ensnared by this ploy and are taken for an annoying ride. I had first hand account of this when I was waiting outside a store for my friends who were shopping for jewelry as most women do. I knew that I would be there for quite a while so I found a spot on a bench in the shade.

As I looked at the tourists streaming by me, I saw one gypsy in the corner that was relentless in trying to find people who would stop and take the branch she was offering. The majority of the people just took notice of her and walked by politely. However, some people that hesitated when the vegetation was put in their face and this was the chance the gypsy had been waiting for. Within a second the gypsy had placed the branch into the persons hand and guided her to the side of the walkway where she then proceeded to read the persons palm and tell them their future. After the gypsy had performed her elaborate show, she then asked to be paid for her services. This is where the people who get trapped in the scheme get taken. They are expected to pay the gypsy for the branch and future reading. As I looked on, the reaction of the tourists face was one of surprise and bewilderment. They couldnt understand why they should pay for something so pointless and stupid. As they looked around as if in search of some answers, they reluctantly gave over some money to the hand that was already waiting for it. The gypsy felt like that she deserved more money so she waved her hand a little and the tourist gave some more money so that there wouldnt be a scene. When the transaction was complete the tourist left as fast as they could, and the gypsy went back to stalking her next victim. So many tourists loose some of their money on ploys like these.

So for all the travelers that are going abroad in the near future, be cautious when women bearing branches approach you. All though an olive branch is a sign of piece in many circumstances, in this situation, it should signal a red alert. If you value your money, avoid the gypsies the best way you can.