Nothing better than as a tourist after hours of walking to sit down at some steps.
The police officer has an easy day....
Aussie: There was another policeman at the entrance. He gave me a postcard (vintage police photo) and told me to turn my backpack so it was at the front of me because of the active pick pockets. Good advice I feel. I noticed my watch was missing when I came out but will never know if it just fell off or was helped.
Always nice to look at the crowds and be part. Except for the long fingered artisans.
I remember a particular sunny day in front of Paris' Notre Dame, sitting on a garden wall facing the building. First day of sun and everyone is out and about. We were eating some nice breads and meats, with coffee from a bag. Every time I reached for the bag, there was another hand very close by. So I looked the young man in the eye and asked whether he was hungry. On the affirmative, I requested him to stop trying to steal, come sit properly with us and share. He told us all kinds of interesting stuff about characters on the square in front of us. Seems he is from the streets and many of them are too.