What an interesting city. It is full of history, famous artists and beautiful architecture!
I arrived on Friday and took the train to Gare de Nord. Met my first scam artist, a gypsy who pointed at the stops and said I was on the right train, handed me a note and demanded money. I was semi comatose from my flight and gave her 5 euros. She jumped on the opposite train and did the same thing Welcome to Paris!
I travelled to Gare de Nord and it was pouring rain so I thought I would jump in a cab,my hotel was only 1.6 Kim’s away how expensive could it be? I went to the congregation of cab drivers and a fellow approached me and asked I wanted a cab. He said it was a few feet away so we walked to a car and I jumped in. I was apprehensive and should have left immediately! He asked for the address several times and it seemed like we were going in circles and then stopped. It wasn’t even the right hotel. At this time I just wanted to get out , I asked what the fare he said 80 euros I became enraged. I realized he had the upper who knows if he had a knife or some other weapon. I just wanted to sit and cry in the rain. I gathered myself and walked into the wrong hotel and asked for instructions to the right hotel. It was down the street, Shame on you Paris for letting these scumbags scam tourists. In one of my next posts I will give my top 10 tips for Paris and you can bet number one will be l “don’t get into a cab unless it has a taxi cab sign” and confirm the fare before you get in. Lesson learned.
