For the first time ever, I actually got robbed.
As my buddy sabotlours mentioned, we had just gotten off the Eurostar at "Gard du Nord" station, and got on a very very crowded Metro train to head to our hotel. I was crammed between a couple of Africans, who I thought looked suspicious, so I was trying to cover my pockets, anticipating a pickpocket attempt. And sure enough. BIIIIIIXXXX NOOOOOOOOOOOOOD! About two stops later the train lurched to a stop and the apes scurried off the train. About one second later I checked my wallet and sure enough it was gone. FUUUUUUUCK! It was either one of the two coons, or possibily a coalburner one of them had with them. Carol said she suspected a white girl near me may have been the actual pickpocket. It wouldn't surprise me, as sometimes these type of cocksuckers act in teams. I suspect the apes were there to distract me like the organ grinder monkey, while their ho' did the deed. All fucking thieves must fucking hang! I hope they buy some good uncut heroin with the money they cooned from me and die of an overdose. I would hope that they get AIDS, but I'd bet they already have it. So they can get double super gonasyphaherpalaids. Fuck 'em!
Ok, now that I've vented my spleen. It's really kind of sad the people find the need to resort to that kind of crap. I'm glad I'm not them. They bring their own curses upon themselves.
On a more positive note, they did NOT get my passport (The Precious), and that is the most important thing of all. And at least I wasn't stupid enough to put all of my cash in my wallet. The vast majority was stashed various other places on my person. I've already cancelled all my credit cards (thank Jeebus I have cash) and will call soon to report my DL and passport card (not book passport) stolen. And probably file a police report with the station down the block from my hotel, just to be complete.
That being done, we stepped out of the hotel and found an Italian chain restaurant in the local 'hood that wasn't too expensive, and had some nice pasta and wine. Yeah I know. Italian food on the first night in Paris, but it was pretty decent, and I needed a drink. After a few glasses of wine, we strolled down to Notre Dame to see it at night. Pretty. The weather's nice, and the neighborhood is kind of funky, in a good way. I'm determined to enjoy the rest of my stay in Paris.
I'm going to find the name of the Front Desk person at the hotel and give lots of compliments on reviews and to management, because she was an absolute lifesaver helping me make calls to various numbers to deal with my credit card cancellations. Here's a tip. If your credit card has an 'international collect' number, do note that it's a BITCH to make a collect call from out side the US. Next time, I'm going to make sure I have an actual international phone plan, whether it be through a US carrier or through a Eurpoean SIM with a full fledged international add-on pack. You'll never appreciate needing to call back to the US until you desperately need to.
Time for bed now.
Ok, now that I've vented my spleen. It's really kind of sad the people find the need to resort to that kind of crap. I'm glad I'm not them. They bring their own curses upon themselves.
On a more positive note, they did NOT get my passport (The Precious), and that is the most important thing of all. And at least I wasn't stupid enough to put all of my cash in my wallet. The vast majority was stashed various other places on my person. I've already cancelled all my credit cards (thank Jeebus I have cash) and will call soon to report my DL and passport card (not book passport) stolen. And probably file a police report with the station down the block from my hotel, just to be complete.
That being done, we stepped out of the hotel and found an Italian chain restaurant in the local 'hood that wasn't too expensive, and had some nice pasta and wine. Yeah I know. Italian food on the first night in Paris, but it was pretty decent, and I needed a drink. After a few glasses of wine, we strolled down to Notre Dame to see it at night. Pretty. The weather's nice, and the neighborhood is kind of funky, in a good way. I'm determined to enjoy the rest of my stay in Paris.
I'm going to find the name of the Front Desk person at the hotel and give lots of compliments on reviews and to management, because she was an absolute lifesaver helping me make calls to various numbers to deal with my credit card cancellations. Here's a tip. If your credit card has an 'international collect' number, do note that it's a BITCH to make a collect call from out side the US. Next time, I'm going to make sure I have an actual international phone plan, whether it be through a US carrier or through a Eurpoean SIM with a full fledged international add-on pack. You'll never appreciate needing to call back to the US until you desperately need to.
Time for bed now.