Alis girls Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 OH and I are off to Paris on Friday for 4 days. YS in on a school trip to Berlin. ES and g/f will look after furry and feathered beasts. Been a tough year so hope it will be ok. I have had had looks of horror when telling people. Probably due to terror attacks. One friend said there was loads of muggers. I don't need to know this. Went in 1980's and was nearly mugged. Anyway looking forward to a break. you can get mugged in London and let's face it after Westminster where are you safe? Anyway i am looking forward to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Enjoy! It will be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Have a fab time and get ready to wallop anyone with your handbag - if its anything like mine you'll knock them out 1st go!! Lots to do and see so look forward to hearing about it all! Try just wandering and darting off down the odd side streets which look interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 Yes my bag feels like i have a body in it . Thanks for good wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 I'd heard that Parisians had actually become more friendly since the attacks, although I've not been recently to know if that's true. Generally speaking you'll be fine everywhere from all crime. Like any city it has some no go areas, but you're unlikely to be going anywhere like that anyway. Again, generally, you'll only need to watch your things at the stations, flea markets, and really touristy areas. If you're walking round the Eiffel Tower you may find that someone tries the infamous 'gold ring' trick: someone pretends they have just found a gold ring and asks if it's yours, if you say no, they'll offer to sell it to you anyway. Another variation might involve them working in pairs, so be weary of an accomplice that might riffle through your things. If you're by the famous fountain (I can never remember the name) there are 2 potential common scams: 1) Some kids will ask you to sign a petition and even if you tell them you don't live there they will persist and ask you to sign anyway - don't, as another kid will be going though your bag while you do. 2) I hate to say this as it sounds terrible, but usually a group of African men will walk along side you and attempt to put a friendship bracelet on your wrist as you walk. If they manage, they'll expect you to pay for it. In both instances a very firm "NON!" will usually make them scatter. If you're by the Moulin Rouge I can recommend a little place called Palace Cafe for cocktails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Have a fabulous time, Paris is my favourite city, I hope you like it too Take time to wander about in nooks and crannies would be my advice, and take comfy shoes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Enjoy. We went last year and I agree people do seem more friendly. There is a definate visible sign of heightened security, armed soldiers outside Disney which enthralled the boys The Eiffel Tower has barrier around it,it doesn't impress me much anyway. As you say it could happen anywhere. I always keep money in one of those belts that you can roll it up and zip belt together when travelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Paris is no more or less dangerous than any other city. Don't worry and have a wonderful time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 Bonjour mes amies. Hope you are all well. Well our break is nearly over. Arrived Friday pm and found our hotel after finding our way through Metro. Hotel lovely out of our price range but thanks to avios points we were able to go up market a litte. Room on 5th floor and overlooks other flats and a bit like the film Rear Window without the murder. First evening we walked around and found a restaurant where we walked out as they didn't seem keen to take our order. It was busy but waitress seemed keener to chat up male office workers than serve others less cool clients. We found a bistro opposite our hotel run by Greeks. Excellent food and wine. Yesterday we found batobus and went to Notre Dame and although the queue was long it moved quickly. Police in high presence and helicopters overhead. Found a nice place for sandwich n coffee. More walking found memorial to Princess Diana. Wandered back streets and then back on boat for another zip up the river. Home to shower and ate in a lovely Italian restaurant. Today lay in and then on metro for Montmartre. Packed as it's palm Sunday. Walked around and shopped in streets for presents for boys. Found a little place which accepted request for baguette and coffee (most want full meal). Lovely little square where we people watched. It was Paris marathon today so we were able to stand in middle of Champs elysees and not get run over. Now back in hotel and chilling with builders tea and biccies . It's been 23 degrees. This morning this old man with no teeth and grubby leathery skin came up to OH and showed him a gold coloured ring. "It's a scam " i said . "Non - aller" i told him and he scooted off. A woman opposite walking a chien smiled and tapped her head. I called merci to her. I think she would have rescued us had we not been in the know. Saw the looky looky men and kept my wrists in at Montmartre. Soap dragon not hit anyone with my bag yet. Home tomorrow don't want to go. Paris holds memories for us. Boys were 11 and 5 when we last came. Now one is 21 the other nearly 16. Oh well hope you are all ok. Au revoir. Xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 What a lovely account of your visit. You have a great way with words, I feel as though I was with you. Missed your vocation I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 Thank you. I hope it was interesting. I was grateful to everyone who updated me on the scams etc. Thanks to Andyroo who was spot on with ring one. I suspect it's caught a lot of folk out. Years ago when i was a student nurse 4 of us went camping in South of France. We were pestered non stop by guys peddling goods. In those days we went topless everyone did. My friend and i who well let's say were at the back when boobs were handed out used to joke that they would say " looky looky sonny". The other 2 ladies were well upholstered. Now 2 kids and middle-age has provided the goods. However my topless days are well over. Sighs of relief on forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Thank you. I hope it was interesting. I was grateful to everyone who updated me on the scams etc. Thanks to Andyroo who was spot on with ring one. I suspect it's caught a lot of folk out... You lost me at boobs! The ring one is an absolute classic. Was it still the little old lady and the younger bloke? I remember one time we went to the Eiffel Tower two days running (for reasons I now forget), and the same two tried it on both days. I was like "How can you not remember us from yesterday!?" I'm not sure how many people fall for it, but I guess it must be enough that they make some money from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 No a leathery old boy with no teeth who looked in need of a good wash! Didn't see an accomplice. Sorry about boobs wanted to say nothing has changed when it comes to pushy salespeople , this was the 1980's. You were probably a nipper I was trying to set the scene. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 I love Paris, glad you've had a good time, but oh my goodness! I've been about 6 times and never seen or heard of these scams! Good advice. As others have said Paris is like any big city. Be aware. My OH is cautious and tends to stay away from touristy areas. We have seen the main sights but tend to forge our own way. We've found lovely walks, restaurants and parks. I once made a map of urban graffiti sites and we walked around looking at them. I gave it away to someone who expressed an interest. I wonder if all that graffiti is still there anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 No a leathery old boy with no teeth who looked in need of a good wash! Didn't see an accomplice. Sorry about boobs wanted to say nothing has changed when it comes to pushy salespeople , this was the 1980's. You were probably a nipper I was trying to set the scene. Haha! It depends which end of the 1980s... I'm old enough to remember pretty much the whole decade! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 10, 2017 Author Share Posted April 10, 2017 Between 1980-1983 we were there in all our glory. Back home now. Had to cook for first time in 4 days. Lovely break. YS back this pm from Berlin. Hope he's ok they had full on trip with school - concentration camps, Jewish cemeteries the works. I will say i did jump every time a police siren went past us in Paris the sound is different to UK ones. OH admitted he did too. We did have some giggles - put sign on bedroom door saying do not disturb. This morning just as he had dropped his pj bottom s on the floor the maid burst in. I had put it the wrong way round saying please make up this room. Poor woman she was very apologetic. Bet she sees some sights. can i add we were getting dressed for breakfast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Great descriptions, glad you had a good time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
