By the numbers
14,115 steps
10.44kms
The morning in Paris started really well as I got up early
and had breakfast before deciding that I would take a quick wander through
Paris before heading to the train station after the walk and checking out. Deciding
to walk to the Sacre Coeur, which is a nice looking white church building. I
walked there and realised that there would be more stairs as I seem to be
finding the stairs this trip. Still I got to see the building and I went down
the hill where some dodgy guys were looking at me and said ‘ Hey Bro’, I kept
on walking away from them as I know I profiled them from a distance and I
headed back to the station. I had bought my train ticket on the way to the
church and knew where I would be going.
Once I had packed my bags and was on my way to the station,
I was happy. I wanted to just sit and relax at the airport after checking my
bag and going from there. Turns out there was a problem with the airport line
due to signal problems and were were directed towards another platform that was
full of people. I could have gotten onto one train, but opted for the next one
several minutes later. The train came and it didn’t quite stop where it should
so people in mad panics stampeded the train. I looked and went to another door
and shoved myself on, while being told to move down. I did and found a spare
seat. It was then I discovered a problem..... My wallet was no longer in my
pocket. In the torrent of bodies the wallet had been taken from my pocket
without me noticing. I asked around and no one knew and one guy said they would
look. A French lady said that there is a police station at the airport, where I
can make a report.as I was ready to head back to Gare Du Nord.
The wallet saga didn’t stop there as I used my phone to
access my cards as I lost my debit card, and two travel cards. I had the travel
cards together as one had been acting up and I still wonder if the French
machines don’t like my cards. I did notice several withdrawals before the cards
were cancelled and I transferred all my money out of my account. I then
reissued my debit card, so that it will be there when I got home. The travel
cards I would have to sort out later. I only had my credit card sitting with my
passport left. I was grateful for that too as I had something at least. Once at
the airport the nice French lady helped by talking to the train conductors who
said there were people in the airport. She asked the military guys patrolling
and they didn’t want to know, although they had no idea. The lady was disgusted
that I had been robbed and said I should not have my wallet in my pocket as
Paris is not a safe place. I checked in before going to find the police
station. I had to cover my bag in plastic for some reason, which I didn’t question
and then the bag was sent off. I did have to tie the bag up as ‘it’ was now too
long and after a supervisort sorted it out, the bag went on its way.
I found the assistance place and they sent me off to where
the police were as I then made a statement for the police. I gave them my passport
and boarding pass where I spoke to the lady who didn’t speak great English, but
told them what I lost in detail. She wrote it down and I included my details.
Around 2 hours later of sitting reading a book about murder in a police
station, of course as I had been told the police guys were going to lunch for
20 mins. I watched police come in and greet everyone with kisses except for the
blokes who shook hands. Guys kiss the girls, girls kiss the girls, but the men
shook hands. I thought that was an interesting way of greeting. I would get
punched if I tried that at work let alone get away with it through HR. I got a
report alright in triplicate, where I had to sign for them and then I was on my
way. I had a copy for my records to make a report, although I have no idea how
to do that. I took off running to the loo first and then out to immigration
where I got my passport stamped and my bags scanned. I bolted through the
departures looking for my flight with a belt around my neck not sure how long
it would be before I got to the gate and I was there 10 mins before boarding.
By this time I had nothing to eat or drink since breakfast at it was a 250pm
boarding.
The flight wasn’t too bad as I was happy to be on it and not
waiting amongst a bunch of police who probably knew I was reading a James
Patterson book. Pretty sure they were all profiling me and knew I knew not a
word of French. Still the flight was good and they gave us some refreshments
and some scroll thing that I happily ate. Once we landed I seen there were long
lines at the Edinburgh airport for immigration. The smart gates were working
and I got through that line pretty fast as it was constantly moving unlike the
other line. I did happen to have some currency on me in the form of Swedish Kroner
and Singapore Dollars. All up it added to around 32 pounds and change, better
than nothing at all. I took myself to the tram where my card decided, nope,
wont work. Getting a little upset and annoyed, I seen a conductress who told me
to tap it and I tried that and the damn thing worked. I was impressed as I was
told that feature would not work overseas. The tram went into the city slowly
as it got stuck in traffic along the way as it was now 6pm.
I found my way to the
hostel and even thought knowing my luck I had found a garbage pile. Turns out
the hostel is one of three in the building above a pub. I had walked right past
the door not realising. I walked up more lovely steps into the hostel and the
girl thought my bag was heavy as I wasn’t too worried. She did take my backpack
to my room and felt sorry for me when I told her my tale of woe. I needed food,
which I found at KFC and then showered before calling the bank about the travel
cards and chatted with a guy called Brad. Turns out my cards cannot be sent to
me, it has to go home and get sent from there. Annoying, but nothing I can do
about it. I can increase my credit card limit, but need a drivers license. I
can do it over the phone, but I need sleep and the good thing is everything is
mostly paid for over here. I am staying right next door to the Scottish
Archives.
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