Wonder.Food.Travel

No, this ain't macaroons. These are Burgundy escargot. There is more to Paris than what i've written in 'Painting a Dream', and some are free admission. Sacre Coeur Basilica had left a sour taste on this otherwise sweet journey. I walked towards Sacre Coeur until a split on the road: to go up via the tram or the stairs in the park. I chose the latter, as i've read about musician playing or people picnicking along the way. I saw none of those sort and there was where i was scammed- the infamous Bracelet Scam. I noticed a group of men at the top of the stairs and i thought if i'd walk fast and ignore them, they would ignore me. One man approached and i kindly declined. He reached for my hand; i quickly retracted. I couldn't, and by then his grip tightened. He started to weave a bracelet on my hand; i tried again to pull back. That was when another man came and chatted with me. I knew what he was doing; i knew what i had gotten myself int...

It is not my intention to write about this because it was not a pleasant memory, yet i found myself the need to share my encounter here so that if you visit Beijing, or anywhere for that matter, to be extra alert and careful. I thought that i was careful enough, alert enough, but i was not and fallen victim to a scam. The traumatic experience led me to being forever fearful of riding rickshaw. I could only say i was lucky and am grateful to escape unharmed. This is the story of what happened. When something like this happens, it is human nature to pinpoint the missteps that ultimately led to it. In my case, there were many factors that actually developed to the point of incident, not one to blame but self and the situation. As i've said, i thought i was careful enough, but sometimes the odds may not be in your favour and being there at the wrong place, at the wrong time. Scam, or rob- whatever the term may be, in broad daylight. There were six of us, two girls; three of them. W...