This afternoon after the Catacombs tour Rea decided that she wanted to visit this department store in East Paris (Barbes-Rochechouart station for those who were wondering) that we saw on the train one day. Needless to say it was not in a good part of town, and there were lots of guys trying to sell Marlboro cigarettes in front of the train station which was completely bizarre. We walked through the crowd and went to the store which was a disappointment.
On the way back to the station, Rea and Caroline went through the turnstile on the left and I went through the one on the right. I had my wallet out earlier to get tickets out, so I think that was probably what marked me. Quickly this dude bumps in front of me trying to get through and I thought that it was kind of fishy. I suddenly felt a movement in my front right pocket (where I keep my wallet). Quickly I reached down and I grab the guy's hand and slaped it. He quickly runs up a little further and fakes getting rejected by the turnstile and runs away saying "sorry sorry sorry". I gave him the stank eye and quickly looked at his hands and couldn't see anything in them.
Initially I thought I had lost my wallet, but since I didn't see it in his hand I checked my pocket again and it was still there. After the turnstile Rea and I said to each other that it appeared that was a typical pick pocket ruse and we turned around and flicked off the guys still standing on the other side of the turnstile. They were all well dressed nice looking middle eastern guys.
You know since there was only a credit card, debit card and about 20 Euro in cash in the wallet I was not too pissed off and actually considered it a interesting experience. Especially since I got to tell the guy to f*ck off. Also since it was the last day of the trip it wouldn't have been that big of a deal. Good story though...
On the way home later in the evening we noticed that police were at that station and had busted up the guys selling the cigarettes and hopefully the pick pockets.
So, dear readers, when in Europe as everywhere else in the world, keep an eye out for
your personal belongings and remain observant of your surroundings. Use a money belt to store your passports, large cash bills and other important things. Also, don't let petty thieves spoil your trip if you do get ripped off because at least you have an interesting story to tell. :-)
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1 comment:
Well I would have been upset nevertheless to lose anything. Lucky for you you felt the dirty deed . Sorry you must be on your way home now.... I know how sad it is to have vacations end. We are in arkansas and will be heading home on Friday..... I guess I will be glad to go home but I do like the gypsy life.
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