My European Adventure Series: Surprises and Vigilance Unveiled in Paris (12)

I didn't lose any more items during my trip to Paris, but I had some experiences that were completely new to me. As I finished shopping and walked out of a "Comma" chain supermarket near Galeries Lafayette, I witnessed a young woman swiftly running past me, handing a wallet to an elderly woman right in front of my eyes. I remembered when my mother and I entered the mall, the security guard asked my mother to open her handbag for inspection. Every person entering the mall had to go through a handbag security check right before their eyes. The security guard saw the elderly woman quickly conceal her wallet, and they continued chatting as if nothing had happened. It became apparent that the younger woman had stolen the wallet elsewhere and passed it on to the older woman. To my surprise, the security guard was their accomplice, knowing exactly where the wallets were when checking customers' handbags. Their act of theft was brazen, almost like a demonstration, stealing things right in front of my eyes, leaving me wondering what I could do.

In another scene near the Invalides, there was an airport bus drop-off point. I happened to see a group of weary people getting off the bus. They dragged their suitcases along the narrow sidewalk. At that moment, a few young men dressed as tourists swiftly approached several women and attempted to pickpocket them. These individuals, newly arrived on the streets of Paris, seemed completely oblivious. It could have been due to their fatigue from the flight, or perhaps the allure of Parisian architecture and the crowded narrow streets distracted them.

I concluded my tour of Paris with a mix of horror and excitement. As I entered Gare du Nord, I felt a slight ease in my mood. When my mother and I stepped into the elevator, we were suddenly startled by a loud noise, causing the elevator to sway and leaving everyone stunned. After a moment, we noticed the police surrounding a safety barrier on the ground floor, where they had apprehended a criminal and had even fired a shot.

Many waiting rooms at train stations were temporarily closed, and those who arrived later were held outside. We were escorted out of customs by a group of soldiers armed with submachine guns. They hurried us along without allowing us to fasten our belts, so we had to walk to the waiting area with our trousers raised. Paris is a city that evokes a love-hate relationship in people.

As I write this article, Nahel, a 17-year-old Algerian teenager in France, has been shot dead by police at point-blank range, triggering demonstrations and riots across the country.Riots broke out frequently in France in recent years, and it is becoming less and less like a civilized, developed country. Part of the reason is that more than half of the population in Paris is not French but immigrants and refugees from outside.

As I boarded the Eurostar train to London, England, I couldn't help but wonder what awaited me in this new destination.

Next stop London, UK