My wife and youngest son just got back from a school tour to Europe. They went to London for a few days and then went to Paris, France and finished in Barcelona, Spain. The tour guide was horrible. She often just took off and left the group to fend for themselves. She drank alcohol with her meals and she was terribly unorganized. They did not even get to go to the top of the Eiffle tower because she had not purchased the tickets and when they got there, it was 30 minutes too late. They had already paid for the tickets in their package. There were 35 people in total and the guide would often leave them at dinner to fend for themselves to find their way back to the hotel. Sometimes it was all the way across the city and would require two or three different subway trains to get there. They put them up in a hotel on the outskirts of Paris and it was a 15 minute walk from the nearest subway station. The hotel was in a dangerous area and my wife was very aware of the danger. This was her 7th time to travel in Paris. The tour guide got lost and led them into dangerous areas on the way back to the hotel one evening. She crossed the street and the entire group was not able to make it on one light change. They screamed for her to wait, but she made a dash for the hotel, leaving them to fend for themselves again. None of the adult men went back to protect the stragglers. My wife took it upon herself to do the duty. She is 5 feet tall and weighs 90 lbs. She gathered up the last few students and directed them towards the hotel. When they reached the block of the hotel, she was attacked by two very large men. She had a bag with the stap across her chest one way and a purse with the strap across her chest the other and also a very good camera strapped across her chest. When the first thug grabbed her bag, he pulled her to the ground. He then hit her in the face with her camera. The staps became tangled on her neck so he drug her by the straps around her throat into and down the street while another thug kicked her over and over. It has been 10 days now and she is still covered in bruises. They stole everything she had. I am absolutely sick about it. She was strong and acted like it was no big deal so the kids would not freak out, but today she has crumbled. I held her until she finally fell asleep a little while ago. I have cried like a baby over this. I would kill the both of them and have absolutely no remorse. Is that terrible? I had her tell the tour company she expects a full refund and to have her property that was stolen paid for. Is that unreasonable? Sorry to ramble, there is so much more but I have gone on and on already. Please say a prayer for her. Thanks.
Fletch, that's horrible! I say that is in no way too much to ask, I really hope you get the refund to pay for the lost goods. (Which I understand is minor at this point) sounds like you've got yourself a dandy though! Prayers sent.
I would be very pissed. A refund would be the least I would expect. Nothing worse than not being able to protect your family.
Wow! I don't even know what to say. Your wife is a very brave woman, and yes you have every right to be angry with the low life scum that did this to her AND the tour guide/company that were supposed to be acting responsible. Hopefully everything works out for her (she's probably better for letting it out). Thoughts are with ya Fletch.
Thank you so much. I am just so upset to think that she had to go through that. She said that all she could think about at the time is that she hoped they just killed her before she was raped or tortured. I can not even imagine. I am soooo thankful that she survived and I feel so guilty that I was in Canada fishing when this happened to her. I was having the trip of my life and she was fighting for hers. It just makes me sob like a big baby, but I cant help it.
Sorry to hear that, hope she is doing ok. That your company should reimburse everything, to include compensation for her injuries/mental stress from it. What kind of sorry sack o crap attacks a woman, with more than one person.
Prayers are sent. It is unbelievable what kind of low life people are out there... glad to hear she is home and in safe arms. If something like that happened to my girlfriend I would hunt the people responsible down and do worse then what they could ever imagine, you are not un-reasonable for feeling the way you do. Let her know she has people thinking and praying for her. Again I'm sorry to hear this and you and her will be in my prayers.
Wow My heart just breaks for your wife, you and your family. Very terrifying for her and I can imagine how you feel without saying it. I'm thinking the same things to do to those guys with you. I'll pray for you guys and just focus on her recovery for now and deal with the other stuff privately or later. Help her heal for now. My eyes are watering for you brother. I feel you pain. Be strong. My wife is 5.2 110 herself. What cowards.
Unbelievable story. I would definitely be giving the tour company an earful. And the men along on the trip? It seems as though chivalry has been lost.
That's a real bummer. When travelling there are some travel tips that every vacationer should follow concerning what and where to carry, minimizes losses if you are robbed. Fortunately, your wife will be okay and soon this will be nothing more than a bad memory.
I'd be waaaaay more upset with the dip**** males along for the trip than the tour guide. A refund for their terrible service should be expected, but what kind of guy would leave a tiny woman and kids of their group to walk back alone?! This story made my blood boil just reading it.
Wow - I would be livid! This was a school trip - contact a lawyer, get in touch with your representative etc. The travel company and tour guide should get nailed to the wall for one and definitely you guys should get your money back. I am very sorry for your wife and hope and will pray that she works her way through this - realizing that she did an incredibly brave and unselfish thing, that put her in harms way, and yet she survived - emerging stronger than ever.
Pretty much this. I am at a loss for words thinking about what your wife must have gone through. Horrible all the way around !! Tim
