My Action Star Moment in Paris...

I think this deserves it's own post...it was that entertaining and amusing.

After dining with our friends at a crepperie (the one with the buck wheat crepes and accepted cash only) - we took the RER back and had to go our separate ways.  My friend clearly explained which stop to get off at (Notre Dame St. Michel) and what direction to walk - so I was very confident I could do it.  Thankfully, my son was asleep on my back and I had my ticket validated easily.

I boarded the RER and my friend and her daughters were across the track waiting for theirs (going in the opposite direction).  Once boarded, I sighed in relief at having a very full tummy and a sleeping toddler on my back (he was extremely tired due to the 1-hour time difference between Finland and France).  I wanted to send a text message to my husband, to notify him that I was en route to the hotel and will leave the door un-locked so I don't disturb V�in� by letting my husband in (he was at a dinner with the folks from the conference).

I didn't have my phone...or my Passport...or my wallet....I had nothing but a baby on my back and a validated ticket in the back pocket of my jeans (easier to reach with a carrier on my back).
My instant thought was "How the Hell did I get pick pocketed in Paris?! I am soooo careful and cautious."
Then it dawned on me...my friend kindly offered to carry my Moomin bag (diaper/everything else bag) as my shoulders and back were sore from carrying a +12kg child on my back all day.

*Cue action-star-like music*

I jumped off the RER and ran back down the stairwell and tried to find the route she took to get on the other side of the track - I couldn't find it and huffed/puffed back up the stairs towards mine and looked anxiously.  It's very big in those subways and busy - so I didn't want to yell and:

• (A) Look like an idiot -especially if they had left already without my knowledge and 
• (B) wake up a cranky child who had just fallen asleep.

So I listened as best as I could (thank goodness for those years in music training!) and managed to pick up the girls' talking and bickering in Finnish/French.  WHEW!
Now- where were they?! 

I jumped back onto the RER and ran down a cabin looking through the windows trying to find them and still try and listen for their voices (I know - this is getting so intense).  I managed to spot their brightly colored umbrellas and began to pound the crap out of the glass on one of the doors and wave like a mad-lady.
I managed to catch the older child's eye and she smiled and waved at me for about 10 seconds (felt like forever of course, during these slow-moving-action-star-moments)....I nearly died with relief and frustration.  So I waved some more, smiled a bit and pointed at her mother-who was talking to the younger one.  The older child kept waving at me and finally because I had a look of urgency and bulging eyes about to pop out of my sockets - she tapped her mom on the shoulder and pointed at me happily.
Then my friend waved to me happily.  Oh dear....

*Cue embarrassing moment music*

I'm mouthing repeatedly (and probably yelling without realizing it) "MY BAG - YOU HAVE MY BAG!!!"  While making motions at my shoulder and lifting a leg (that she obviously cannot see as the window isn't full length of the door) and grabbing an imaginary bulge near my arse.
She finally looks down her shoulder and stares in shock and I gave her a thumbs off and leap off the RER....

*Cue "Will she make it back onto the RER music"* - because I certainly was terrified that the doors would shut and the RER would leave and I wouldn't have a phone or her number handy to get a hold of her or my husband...or internet it appeared. (Turned out I did need my phone that night as V�in� got out of control at the hotel and refused to sleep or go near the bed without screaming).

She ran back to me, gave me the bag with a huge apology - I dash and jump (literally) over people's legs who are sitting near the door way of the RER....and the door closed and we sped off.


I couldn't make this up if I tried....needless to say - my friend and I laughed about it a great deal the next day, my husband was impressed with my skills - especially after carrying our son for a few hours that day (think 6 or more) and for not getting lost.  And V�in� stayed asleep until we got into the hotel room!

I treated myself to a Nutella, banana and crushed almond crepe the next night - and didn't feel a bit of guilt.
I now have a new appreciation and understanding for the French eating so many baguettes, croissants and crepes...you need the energy just to travel onto a subway!