Paris Adventure at the Arche de Triomphe

It was my first full day in Paris.

I like to walk around when I am in a strange city and Paris is so damned surreally strange to trip around in. Every building and narrow side street opened up into another surprise.

My favorite incident happened as I accidently ended up at the Arche de Triomphe. I came out from around a corner and there it was. I stood imagining the stock footage of storm troopers marching through the Arche de Triomphe & thinking of Humphrey Bogart's Mr. Rick saying to Ilsa, "I remember every detail... The Germans wore gray, you wore blue."

A man called out to me from a parked car. I smelled a con. On purpose I played dumb, "No se habla er, uh.... non parle vous Francais?"

"You speak Anglaise. I am Italian." He beckoned me to near his window. I didn't know what to expect but this encounter could possibly be interesting. 

"Come look," he urged. "Ah, you are American. See what I have."

My first rule in a foreign country is to be open but aware... be aware but open to all... pickpockets, muggers, etc. I looked around making sure I wasn't being stalked by secondaries and leaned towards his open passenger door window.

"I have something I want to give to you. Just to show you I am not a pervert, here."

He hung a faux leather coat half out the window. Showing the label inside he said, "I work for this company. See. It is promotion. I give you."

At this point I am not committed to anything. I've seen enough... it didn't look like leather. Don't really want or need a faux leather coat. "I'm travelling light. I have no room in my luggage for anything more, but thank you."

"Look, I give it to you. Free. For nothing, "He reached into his back seat and took out a nice looking suede jacket, laying it over the leather, "and I have this too. Free. For you. Please. Take it please."

I'm thinking that it is free so why not? He hasn't asked anything of me and he began stuffing the coat and jacket in a bag with his Italian Leather Company's name on it.

I thanked him, "Do you have a card or something so that I can look you up you when I go to Milan?"

"The card is in the jacket. Now, if you please. I got very drunk last night. I drank two bottles of wine. Do you like wine?"

I laugh, here comes the pitch... thinking maybe he would try to sell me some cheap wine saying it is the best for an exorbitant price.

I explain, "No, I am in France but I don't like wine at all."

"I have no gas to get back to the shop. I was very drunk last night. I spend all my money. I am

ashamed to ask. Do you have a few Euros you can spare?"

Well, he had me. I admire a good con. I had no small bills in my pocket... some twenties and some fifties.... carried the way I always carry cash.... folded, small bills on top in front & larger bills in back.... I started to peel off a twenty thinking he would be happy with that. But he saw the fifties... oh, that twenty was not enough. I parted with the fifty thinking hell, it was a good con.

He was happy. I was happy. I wonder how many coats he moves each day with that workout?

The faux leather coat %100 polyester was shit, doesn't let the skin breathe... but the suede one was nice and I needed a light jacket that folded nicely into my bag.

Strolling afterwards down the Champs-Elysees with my new jackets I would've never bought made my day. I wondered whether he had a 100 euro bottle of wine yet to sell?

These are the reasons why I walk.