Robbed in Paris

Hey all,

Since I can't play CoH on my work-issued laptop, and since there are fewer and fewer posts appearing on the Guardian forum of late... I just figured I'd give you some drama to digest in your spare time!

Yesterday I arrived in Paris and was robbed just outside the airport. I now know exactly when it happened, but didn't realize it at the time. I had like $300 dollars on me, my bank/debit card, and my credit card, all of which were stolen. Thankfully I still had my passport, stored in a different place.

So, yeah... I spent the day hungry, and without sleep for 30+ hours since I didn't want to go to sleep with any of this nonsense up in the air. I called American Express in the morning, and they said there was nothing they could do, except to cancel the card. I called them back at 4:15, and they said, "Hey! No problem. We have a Paris office with an embossing machine that can press you a new card, and you can pick it up today."

Woot! RoXorz!

...

"Oh, wait," they said. "Unfortunately, the Paris office shuts their embossing machine down at 4 pm. Our apologies."

WTF.

Grr. So, yeah. Eventually, my wonderful girlfriend was able to send me some cash to hold me over. Of course, there were several obstacles that stopped that from happening until 6:45, at the last Western Union in Paris on the Champs Elysee, which closed at 7.

So, after begging my way back to the airport since I had only 4 Euro (to check the garbage cans for my wallet), and then begging my way back and borrowing 5 Euro from a baggage handler (because, ahem, I still had no money) who then convinced the bus driver to let me on the bus for 5 Euro even though the fee was 15 Euro, I wound up okay.

Literally, I both considered robbing a French hobo (with way more money than me) and eating a French woman (who looked curiously like a baguette) before the hotel concierge gave me an orange.

But, let me further explain why I believe the French, as a whole, are in on it: The word for "wallet" is 4-5 syllables long and largely unpronounceable. I was on the receiving end of several chuckles as I attempted to describe what I was missing.

Again, WTF. How is the word "tan" not in a French-English dictionary?

Anyway, I thought I'd give you an insight into my last 48 hours. No one I know really cares, especially since I don't have Facebook and can't reach them all at once. Not that you care either -- but at least some people can spend a few minutes calling me things like "Euro n00b!" and the like.

It's the least I can do for my Guardian peoplez.

There's obviously more to this story, such as why I was unable to go to the bathroom for 7 hours, but that's neither here nor there.

I'm a CoH weekend warrior as of late but, ya know, it comes and goes. Much like baddie waves in the Terra Volta reactor. But I hope you all are doing well.

I will henceforth eat a croissant for each and every one of you.

Wow Subway that sucks but on the plus side you didn't lose your sense of humor.....

*steals Subway's sense of humor, switches his French-English dictionary to a German-English dictionary, then skips town* o.o

Wow Subway, sorry to hear about the whole wallet fiasco.

I do need to warn you though, be very careful about proclaiming that you will eat a croissant for each and every one of us. We may be forced to fire up all of our alt accounts to swell the numbers.

...besides, I'm a fat guy and I'm starving. I love croissants!

Woot! Thanks you guys for writing something nice. I wrote that when I was exhausted and later thought I'd draw the ire of the trolls.

It sounds weird but when you're alone and in a strange place, every bit of home helps! And, wow, yes, I believe I just called Paragon City home.

Take it easy all! I have to go get to eating those croissants...

*wrap croissants in bacon*

Paragon City IS Home. I also have a Vacation Villa in St. Martial.

Sorry to hear about your misfortunes, and the loss of the $300 cash. On the plus side, you'll have an unforgettable experience to look back on. And aside from the chuckles, and obviously the thief, you seem to have dispelled the stereotype about French folks being rude and self-important.

I can't help but wonder about the orginal theft though - was your pocket picked or did someone make off with one of your bags, or what? Just curious, and your experience may provide some "what-not-to-do" recommendations for others.

oh dude subway that sucks but glad you made it through

and yes i am one of those who has not been on forums much as of late so ill try to be here at least once a day now but wont promise a thing

Man im sorry to hear that. That sucks. I hope you get things back in order.

GL!

Guys guys guys! My cousin over in Paris just sent me the 300 bucks he has owed me for years! Now I can get my computer upgrades I have been wanting!!!!!

Oh sorry to hear about your loss Subway >_>

For real though, that sucks dude, I remember losing my wallet a few years ago and freaking out on the phone with my bank becuase I didn't know my debit card number so they wouldn't cancel it. I am glad to see you came out ok in the long run.

I quickly dropped that bank btw. Found my wallet 2 hours later...in the driver seat of my truck. I can't imagine how terrible it must have been fo ya....makes me not want to go to paris, the bunch of thieves.

You don't know your credit card number? Clearly you aren't buying enough stuff online.

OMG you can buy stuff online?!