We have been lulled into an easy sense of security over here. It is possible to say "Everyone here speaks English" because in the main, the locals we tourists dead with, do speak enough English, often to a really fluent standard. Don't get me wrong! I am extremely grateful and impressed by their years of study, as it makes my time away so much smoother.
Taxi drivers, hotel receptionists, cafe and restaurant staff, train officials, ticket sellers, many shop assistants ... all speak English. So where do those who did not learn English go? We found out last night. They joined the French police force!!
Arriving back at our hotel yesterday late afternoon, Rob thought he had misplaced the travel wallet containing both our passports, the 28 Degrees credit card we have just for this trip, plus some cash. A quick look through the apartment did not locate it, which is unusual, as he has been meticulous in keeping track of all our documents. A more frantic search again failed to find it. Rob had carried it with him, in a leg pocket of his pants. The only conclusion to draw is some mongrel pick pocket now has the wallet.
Poor Woodsie felt physically sick, as he has been so ultra careful all along. But as a policewoman later told us, "Paris has many, many pick pockets."
Oh my goodness how unfortunate indeed. Do hope you are able to get new passports without too much trouble. That has put a dampner on what has been such good times. Don't let it worry you folks, all will work out and you continue you on having a good time. At least you live to tell the tale.
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