The Jetpacker

We’re fortune enough to have never been the victim of a pickpocket.  But this was certainly a close call.

It was a particularly empty day at the Pére Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.  So we were startled when we heard a third set of footsteps directly behind us.  I turned around and noticed a man uncomfortably close to us.  Within four feet.  Like, in my personal bubble.  Not cool.

The path was thin, so we moved out of the way, thinking the man was just being rude and wanted to get around.  He pulled out a map, walked off the trail and disappeared behind a tomb.  So we continued on.

A minute later I hear the footsteps again.  He’s baaaack.  And this time he’s closer.  We’re talking within three feet.  So this was weird.

Now I know something’s up.  And I’m nervous for our safety because it’s a desolate path and we’re in the middle of the cemetery, far from any exit.

So I turned around and looked right at him.  He gazed at his map intensely like he couldn’t find something.  For a country that produces a lot of Academy Award winning actors, he surely wasn’t one of ‘em.

We slipped our bags (I had a murse… don’t judge) under out coats, tucked them against our bodies and tried to ignore the guy.

The man stayed close and followed us.  Each time I turned around to see where he was, he turned around and pretended to look at something.  He was like those ghosts in Mario Brothers that stalk you, but as soon as you turn around to look at ‘em, they turn their backs on you and pretend like they’re not even there.  Nice try.

Eventually I got tired of the game.  So we stopped, sat down in an area with more people passing through, and looked straight at the guy.  He stared at his map.  He knew we were on to him.  After a minute of investigating his map, he finally left.

The moral of the story:  Always be aware of your surroundings.  And if you find yourself in a less-than-desirable situation, try getting to an area with more people around.  Acknowledge the presence of the would-be thief, and keep any valuables, especially your wallet, camera, and cell phone tucked close to you, completely out of sight.