Bob and Gayle's France Trip

Robbery and Skirmish, Americans 1, French Thieves 0!

Robbery and Skirmish, Americans 1, French Thieves 0!

A not so funny event happened on my way to the Orsay museum yesterday. I got robbed. I decided to take some time off from the crowds, do a few chores, wash some socks, and read a good book. Currently, I am reading “Charm School” a novel set in cold war Russia with spies, intrigue, black market, and KGB thugs. In the first 50 pages the American “good guy” gets robbed and beaten! Humm….
Gayle decided to met Dave and Linda for trips to the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Orsay museum.
I decided I would meet them at 2:30pm near Manet’s painting, which started the Impressionistic movement. I left in plenty of time but unfortunately the metro I took broke down two times. The second time, to the groans of a car full of locals, came an announcement to the effect that this train is stuck and not going anywhere. Sometimes you don’t need to understand the language to know the meaning.
After changing lines a few times, I decide to take the RER train, which supports the Paris suburbs and happens to stops right at the Orsay. The train was jammed. I could have been in Tokyo, except the guys with the uniforms and white gloves were not there pushing everyone into the cars. Since I only had to go one stop, I smartly, stayed by the door, my hand over my wallet.
We swayed as the train moved out like some kind giant South Seas anemone. Gee if only Nemo was there to help me! Guess what, when we got to the Orsay platform, the train doors opened on the other side of the car! I was forced to “pardon” and part my way across the car. I took one small step, when I felt a something brush my front pocket. I reached back and touched, but I knew my wallet was gone!
Turning around, there were two guys. I immediately shouted and moved till I towered over them, “Give me back my wallet…!” There might have been a few additional universal adjectives and expletives added. I quickly scanned them and saw my wallet in one of their hands. I grabbed for it. In the process, my wallet fell on the floor. A scuffle broke out, moi recovering an illegal fumble, and they trying to pull me off and kick me at the same time. There are times that American football really beats soccer.
Poor Rick Steve’s took most of the abuse as they kept hitting my pack filled with tour books, umbrellas, water bottle, and a double package of molefoam. I never go anywhere without my molefoam. The added cushioning in these situations can make all the difference.
I awkwardly exited the car, checked out my wallet and found all accounted for. The two French thieves were shouting angry insults from the now mysteriously empty train car. I extracted 100 euro from my wallet and gracefully bowed waving the money and wallet as they chugged away. I love it when the good guy wins!
The Orsay, the world greatest collection of impressionistic art, was fantastic as always. Monet, Renior, Pissaro, Degas, Mary Cassett, Van Gogh, what better way to bring you back into the light.
Today we help Dave and Linda prepare for their journey into the countryside, and later this evening we have been invited to the home of Jacqueline for drinks. She is the wonderful friend of Marilee (our apt. owner) who rescued us when we first arrived and our keys wouldn’t open the door, and has been our “go to person” when other small apartment glitches came up. What a treat! Then tomorrow we leave for Giverny, Monet’s home, to see the real lily pond and bridge.
PS: We’ve elevated our security measures to Devcon 2. I am in this cold war mode!

Picture Set 1
Picture Set 2

posted by Bob and Gayle @ 9:00 PM