We were not without fear of the Gypsies as well. They are strong and bold people, and some of them have been known as robbers. Large numbers of them are found in Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Macedonia. I also saw some at Larissa and in other parts of Thessaly. They are present in most towns and usually live by working in manual crafts and small trades.
Many Gypsies color their hands and feet with a reddish dye made from cna. They believe that by doing this, those parts of the body suffer less from the cold. Some Gypsy women also dye the ends of their hair in the same way. This custom is common among them and is easily recognized by travelers A Greek Merchant Named Demetrius.
Although these people are scattered across many regions, it is believed that they first came from Wallachia and the neighboring lands. Many people suspect that some of them act as spies for the Turks. Because they travel often and mix easily among different communities, they are thought to carry information from place to place.
Suspicion Near Leopoldstadt
Shortly before I arrived at Leopoldstadt, near Freistadt, a large group of Gypsies appeared in that region. The local people became suspicious and believed they might be spies sent by the Vizier of Buda. It was thought that they were there to observe the condition of the area and to see how the nearby fortress was being maintained and defended. This caused great unease among the inhabitants, who were already living in uncertain times Guided Ephesus Tours.
A Dangerous Moment in Serbia
While traveling from Belgrade into Serbia, we were once in serious fear of being robbed. We noticed three horsemen riding very fast behind us. When they caught up, they rode around us, waved their lances, and fired their pistols into the air. This action was clearly meant to frighten us.
However, the ghiam who was with us recognized them as spahis, or mounted soldiers. He showed his feather, a sign of authority, and told me to fire one of my pistols at random. This was done to show that we were not unarmed and could defend ourselves if needed. After this, the horsemen rode away, and we saw them no more. This incident taught us how important it was to appear confident and prepared while traveling through such regions.
Caravanserais and Public Lodgings
We did not like staying in caravanserais, also called chans, which are public lodgings built by benefactors for travelers. Although they are meant to offer shelter, we found them less comfortable than private houses. Since our group was small, we avoided them whenever possible.
These lodgings usually consist of large open rooms, where travelers must provide everything for themselves. There is little privacy, and safety is not always guaranteed. Some caravanserais are built in isolated or unsafe places, making them dangerous at night. Because of this, it was often unwise to stay in them, especially for fear of robbery.
Choosing Safety Over Convenience
Although robberies were not always common, the risk was real enough to make us cautious. We preferred to stay in private homes whenever we could, where we felt more secure and better cared for. These choices were guided by experience and necessity, as travel through these lands required constant attention to safety.
In such journeys, comfort often had to be sacrificed for protection. The dangers of the road—from robbers, suspicious groups, and unsafe lodgings—were constant reminders that travel in these regions demanded both courage and careful judgment.
