Day Four
Trip Start
Oct 08, 2007
1
5
11
Trip End
Oct 22, 2007
Paris,
France
Monday, October 15, 2007
This morning I woke up early-OK earlier than the past days. I made my way along the river. I rode a ferris wheel on the place du la concorde (where the French revolution saw much activity-as in the call for Marie Antoinette's beheading). Great views. I should have a few great photos from here. Then, I walked down the Champs Elysses to the Arc du Triomphe. In the meantime, I must have a sign on my forehead that says, "stupid tourist, please bother". Not much into my walk I had some guy pretend to find a gold ring. Why he was telling me about it as he "reached down to pick it up" and decided to tell me about it, I can only surmise has worked before. I kept walking as he was saying, "oh, gold ring." I simply said, "it's not mine" and kept walking. Then about half a mile away from the Arc on my way to the bus stop some guy in a car actually stopped and called me over...stupid me actually turned back towards the car
Boat on River Seine
. I thought he was going to ask for directions... like I could give any! But, no, he wanted to "give" me a St. Laurant jacket (not my style, I might add). Of course, I said to him that I couldn't accept it. I'm sure there was some story that would have me shelling out some sort of money for it. In any case, I walked away feeling really steamed at being so accosted. But, wait, that is not all, then I was walking in the Marais district and I had a young man approach me telling me he was a student and would I like to contribute to his education . . . of course I said "no" and then just went off to my hotel room to stay away from people for a while. How was your day?Til tomorrow,
Bon soire,
Jorge
Comments
Hey, we've got some swampland in Florida...
Argh! I can't believe how targeted you were by the French con artists. Don't let'em get to you... Hey, we just heard some big news: Doug and Liz Meek and their three kids are moving back to Albuquerque. Doug took a job with Presbyterian and starts January 1. They have been in Belleville, IL (right outside St. Louis) for the last couple of years. Anywho, keep your good travel posts coming. We'll keep on reading! -Nicole, Chris and Grace
Re: Hey, we've got some swampland in Florida...
Yeah, let's see what the theme for tday will be. Hope I don't find myself with lepers following me around the bell towers of Paris. The Meeks (all 5 of them) in Albuquerque--yeeks!
Pickpockets
Did I tell you my parents were pick-pocketed TWICE while they were in Paris? A proper frenchman will never stop you like this on the street, so if they stop you they are not proper. Watch out especially in the Metro!