Ever been chased by a gypsy brandishing a whip? We have. On Saturday we caught up with little Leroy who in his inimitable style managed to get all three of us in a ’situation’ that only the JB could get us out of.
After meeting Leroy for a coffee down at the Musee du Quai Branly, the JB and I decided to walk Leroy back to his hotel, The Ritz, as it was on our way home and the weather was just beautiful. Now, I’ve mentioned the gold ring scam in a previous entry – where a gypsy walks past and feigns bending over to collect a gold ring from the ground, stopping to check whether it’s yours or if you would like to have it for a fee – and the JB and I have encountered it a good half a dozen times, on each occasion getting out of there asap incase there is a second person working as a pickpocket etc.
Well, we had worded up Leroy on our previous experiences and do you think he listened? Nicht nicht. Before we know it, an older gypsy had proffered the gold ring to Leroy who gratefully accepted, turned around and flung the ring directly into the nearest bin before walking on. Nothing at first, then we turn around and she’s on our tail mumbling something in a foreign language (didn’t sound French) and putting her hand to mouth, gesturing for food, but really money. So on we walk ignoring her. Leroy flattered at the pursuit and the JB and I shaking our heads wondering how on earth do we lose her? About 100m along gypsy #2 arrives out of nowhere, blocking our path, and smacking a horse whip in her hands, angrily yelling to give the ring back in broken English. Well, poor Leroy was taken aback some, when younger gypsy started fisting and threatening to punch him. He kept saying he didn’t have it that he had thrown it in the bin, but younger gypsy wouldn’t have it. More yelling, more threatening, more fisting. That’s when the JB stepped in and in one swoop sorted the entire situation. Yep, that’s right he punched the gypsy fair and square in the mouth. Only joking (Rocky Romano, that’s you!). I don’t think the JB could punch a woman, even a gypsy – he’d more likely throw one. Anyway, the JB steps in and has some harsh words with gypsy junior, who cowers back to gypsy senior, who coerces gypsy junior to get out of there. So off we tootled, with me looking over our shoulder all the way up to Hotel de Crillon. About another hundred so metres up, another gypsy stops us trying the same scam, and Leroy being Leroy, stands there smiling, palm outstretched for the ring. I grabbed him and forced him to walk before we had the gypsy population of Paris following us with baseball bats and clubs or casting spells. Moral of the story: Don’t travel with Leroy, but if you do, never go without the JB.
On a quieter note we have had a most delightful five days here in Paris. It’s felt more like a holiday than travel as such, because we’ve eaten in more restaurants, lounged about in more cafes and taken in the Parisian lifestyle. We ate delicious crepes of goats cheese and apple or caramel and walnuts covered in Grand Marnier and then set alight. We devoured Parisian pizza topped with gruyere rather than mozarella. All this food consumption has had more to do with the temperature which has been decidedly colder; we even had a snow flurry yesterday, before the heavens opened.
The JB’s French is improving by the day; he can order from the menu now, thank the waiter/ess, request the bill and order a hot chocolate without so much as a side glance from the locals.
Yesterday we toured the Opera Garnier which is not only an incredibly beautiful building but architecturally interesting. One of the most innovative buildings of its time in terms of technology, materials and design. This afternoon we caught up with Leroy again, who dragged us out to his ‘favourite’ coffee place Lauderee where one can indulge in the finest macaroons in the world. The lemon tarts are pretty fabulous as well.
So tonight we conclude our time in Paris. All in all we’ve had a fantastic 2 weeks here. Tomorrow we commence the third chapter of our trip and collect our little Peugot which, if all goes well, will take us to the D-Day beaches, up Normandy way. We’ll be more regional from here on in, so we’re not sure what internet access will be like nor how often we’ll post. We continue to have an amazing time. Until next time, stay away from the gypsies.
Posted by yappingdog 