I read about that

Off we strolled to our hotel and checked in. We were advised that they weren't ready for us and we could drop off our luggage in the room behind the desk. It was now 10am and they advised us to try back around 1:30pm.

No worries, I just wanted a shower and a change of clothes but that would have to wait. So off we went in search of food. Our bodies were telling us it was 2am but we were in PARIS, time for some petit dejeuner!

We stopped in the small cafe on the corner by our hotel. We ordered sucrees (wheat pancakes like crepes), an expresso and a cafe creme (my soon to be new favourite boisson). The bill arrived and heavens, it was nearly 20€ (about 30$US). Our baptism into just how expensive this trip would be and one very important lesson - avoid eateries in tourist oriented areas at all costs.

After our meal, we were newly energized so we headed out to investigate the area. This is where I would like to take the opportunity to tell everyone, don't bring a big carry on bag and a shoulder bag. Its great if you are going to the hotel and checking in right away but if you are going to walk around first, a knapsack is a better option. I'm no Rick Steves but it is just a suggestion.

While researching for a trip, you often hear stories about scams and predatory thieves. I thought we would be very wise to this type of things seeing as we are both well educated people. I even bought a special 'theft' proof bag in which to carry my new super zoom et al. We carried wallets in front pockets and booked a hotel room which had a safe in the room. All good ideas when travelling far from home.

What I didn't count on was my husband being his normal generous self. As long as I've known him, he always tries to help out the less fortunate by giving spare change.

As we walked down one of those picturesque cobble stone streets, my husband and I were approached by a young girl, maybe 20 or so, who stopped us and asked if we spoke English. I knew right away what was going on.

In Paris and likely other major EU cities, there are groups of people, some call them Gypsies, who approach tourists and ask them if they speak English. If the tourist says yes, they open a note written in English detailing some story like their mother has died, they are destitute etc. and ask for small change. This is but one story they tell or scenario they try to scam you with. Other include the gold ring trick (detailed later) as well as others we avoided by other groups of tricksters.

The girl held up a note detailing her situation, so my husband being the man I married, started for his coin holder. I verballly cautioned him. He didn't get the message, so I tried again. I said this is a scam. Not two seconds after I said that, a shopkeeper who had been watching from his store doorway, shhed at the girl and she took off.

After she left, I remember my husband of what I had read. Not an hour later, when we were sitting in a small church garden near our hotel, we saw the exact same girl again. She approached us and tried the same scam on me (as my husband was reading). She tried this time to tell me that she was pregnant etc. Meanwhile, her partner was across the park, trying to hit up another tourist. When it didn't work, she turned and off she went, whistling to her partner, I gather to regroup.