Cost Of My Naivete: 250 Euros, A Few CCs/IDs, And A Piece Of My Mind

By Citizen Correspondent mael strom

Date Posted: 09/17/08

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January 3, 2008 - New Year hoopla over with, back from Dublin, and a few days before I have to start working again ... figured I'd occupy the next few days with whatever's interesting before getting back into the routine of waking up at 06h00 and scrambling for the metro in the deadly freeze. Little did I know that I'd end up wickedly distraught and in hysterics, clutching the phone against my left ear, and waiting for the next available customer representative on the floor of my apartment because some mother-fucking cock-sucker swiped my wallet containing all of my CCs, IDs, and 255 Euros at the metro station this afternoon. Wait ... what?

"How about we see Les Annees Noires exhibition?" suggested Ben. Yah! Good idea! It closes in February but we had no plans for the day, so why not, I thought. We went back to my gaff and looked up the address and directions. My part was to memorize the latter, and Ben the former - Team work, guys! Woot!

We left for line 6 at Dugommier and got off for the 14 at Bercy. Made our way to Madeleine, and wait, which line to take next? The 12? (said I) The 8? (said Ben) Fuck. After a brief spat over where to go, we ascended three escalators, found a map, and realized (unsurprisingly) Ben was right - the 8. Walking past some shady-looking loiterers, me with my Nikon in hand, in a tizzy over the fact that Ben was right yet again with the directions, but slightly excited at the prospect of finally seeing an exhibition in Paris, we proceeded to the subway pass-point.

Now, having heard stories from friends about getting mugged or pick-pocketed while traveling, I know I should've been more cautious and aware of my surroundings. But COME ON! Targeting a tiny, little Asian girl (me) who looks as harmless and innocent as the mouse in Ratatouille would just be WRONG ... right? Well, yes, in la-la-land it'd be against the law, of course. But in reality, one ought not to forget that CRIME DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE.

Anyway, Ben went through first and as I was inserting my metro ticket into the slot, I felt a guy get behind me - a little too close for comfort, but I figured he was just one of those freeloaders who just wanted to pass through without paying so I thought nothing of it.