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What's the Story (Morning Glory)
For starters I can tell you my morning has not been glorious. I woke up really not wanting to pack as we're leaving our apartment and heading southwest into wine country. I did want to leave Paris as I feel completely stuffed with their culture. It's good to break up the visits to the city with a trip to where it's less chaotic. I could've easily acted like I was doing something on the computer that was "vital" to get out of packing and I laid in bed thinking up my plan.
Our windows over look the street below and it's always a great way to start the day and peruse the morning activity. Tourists already milling about in the 18th Arrondissement, the African hairdressers opening their shops, and the the man in the apartment across the way who sits out on his patio every morning drinking his cafe. The same as it's been every morning we've been here. Until today...
Livraison? It was a difficult parallel park, but after nearly scaring the beejeezus out of my mother-in-law and politely asking her to get out of the car I finally squeezed our Puegeot into a nearby spot to our place on Rue Poulet. I noticed some funny markings on the ground and really paid no attention to it as parking has been pretty much a free for all from what I've seen thus far. When I went out on my balcony this morning I looked up the street and saw LIVRAISON in much bolder colors as there was no car in that spot. My car!
I dressed quickly and ran down to the spot and a Senegalese, or was she Ghanan, woman told me in broken English that the car had just been taken away. I asked another local walking by what they do with the cars and they towed and he acted as if it was no big deal as it happens to everyone. Pffftttt, they go to the fourriere. I know I didn't want to pack this morning, but not the fourriere!
It was about 9:15am. Amy had good enough sense to have us call Peugeout who we got the car from and they informed me of the closest police locations, but that was about it. I tried calling there, but after about 15 transfers of trying to get someone who wanted to speak to some guy in English they just hung up on me. I did have the local prefecture's address and it was nearby so I went down there. A nice officer explained to me what happened and where my car was. Like all towing drop-offs worth their salt this one was located in a remote location in the arrondissement, but not too bad I was to find out.
I left the police station and hemmed and hawed on taking a taxi or the metro/bus. Like a good citizen I waited by taxi stand, but the drivers must've all been having their morning cafe as no one came out to drive me. I even had a cup of coffee myself as I waited. Priding myself in being a subway rat I just went for the metro and the bus. It was a couple of stops from station near our apartment and then when I got off I walked around a bit and found the PC3 bus.
Now this would be tricky since I had no idea where to get off. Just a rough address of the Fourriere Pouchet, my final destination. After a couple of stops and some haggling by a bum, the driver told me where to get off and to make a couple of lefts and rights to get to the fourriere (just rolls off the tongue after a few times). After a quick walk I found my final destination. I showed my information and was pleasantly informed of the cost to re-claim my car. Any guesses? 136 euros. Less than I feared, but still a drag. Dare I say I must cut back on my wine consumption to make up for this unplanned expense? Check out time from the lot - 11:06am.
Not bad timing I guess to recover a car. But made worse in that I probably missed getting to the car, by about 10 minutes to prevent the whole hullaballo.
Now, mind you, getting your car towed in Paris is not like the States (surprise, nothing is). It's a whole different experience - have a look for yourself - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OZZrJyTBYY
Need a little time to wake up
Need a little time to wake up wake up
Need a little time to wake up
Need a little time to rest your mind
AG
- comments
Nicole Like the video. I don't think you can really call it "towing," though. More like "airlifting" your car. Haha!
Russ You sound remarkably calm about the whole debacle. Like a man....on vacation. Bravo, sir. Have another Nutella avec une banane crepe to steel your nerves on the journey out of Paris.
John Falconetti You should have taken pictures of the car when you got it. And then more pictures when you turn it in (Before & After). My guess is this car is going to be beat all to hell! Enjoy the ride!