Just a quick word of warning about cycling or walking through Jardin Anglais late at night and alone.
On Thursday night I was cycling back from the World Health Assembly and was for once wearing heels and a dress. I had my longchamp long handle bag wedged in my back bike basket, and normally put the handles over the saddle, but figured it was late and noone around and only had five minute ride, so did not.
Half way across the park on the lit path right near the water, I suddenly hear this fast running and then felt this heavy weight pounce on the back of my bike to try to drag me back. At first I thought it was someone I knew playing a trick on me and then when the guy get dragging me back I realised it was not. Then before I knew it he unwedged my bag and ran off.
Another male cyclist passing buy helpfully said I should go after him as he had stolen my bag - but no offer of help. But it did trigger an absolute rage in me. I am a freelance PR person and basically my whole life was in that bag. Laptop, phone, house keys, sunglasses, wallet etc. New expensive small sony - no real back up - the works.
So before I could even think further I was after him - in my skirt and heels - over the grass and chasing him round the trees, yelling at him at the top of my voice "vour êtes tarée - vous avez volez mon sac - voleur - tarée " round and round the trees and he was hiding from one to the other.
The more he ran, the more of a rage he put me in and at one point we were literally playing tag around this big fir tree and that is when he gave up and just threw the bag back at me in one direction and ran in the other.
I was so angry I almost chased after him again but saw there were two others watching in a bit of a state of bemused shock, so decided to leave it and go home. I got everything back except for my wallet. But phone, computer etc.
When I went to the police the next day they said not to go through the park at night and that that happens at least once an hour in that park. When they attack men they do it in threes and throw the bag from one to the other.
That it happens so quick that most people do not have time or do not chase after them or shout and they get away. That normally they do not get too violent and jsut want the quick cash and phones. But they work in gangs. Other most robbed places are train station and road outside of Kempinski.
So first avoid that area at night alone and second, if you are attacked, make a hell of a lot of noise and go after them- particularly women - they do not expect it and it takes them by surprise - but watch out for helpers!
all the best
sb
