Seeking SAFE low cost accommodation for couple visiting Paris in April thread

Perhaps, not finding the answers satisfying, the OP deleted the thread.

Frankly, I wondered if we were dealing with a serious OP.

There was a reply that the Peace & Love Hostel was not a good choice, and that reviews cited poor security and "slum" like conditions there. The OP's priority, repeated several times, was a secure location for their belongings.

The last that I recall was a reply asking what the OP and their companion were going to do about food, being on such a tight budget. The OP response (in part) was that part of the reason for cheap lodgings was that they wanted to be able to enjoy some good food, and then also mentioned the possibility of finding some free meals possibly at churches-and they mentioned one other source too which I don't recall. The person who asked then responded that the intent of free food giveaways was likely not to nourish students on tour, to which the OP then said words to the effect of..'that's the point is to give people food'. The OP also then added "community meals" or something like that to the list of free food sources, noting that some of these community events even had musical accompaniment; I think they used the word meetup in describing how to find such free meals.

Maybe the internet exploded when she said she knew several nice, safe hotels in NYC that ran $40 a night.

I told Tammy the Peace & Love Hostel got a really low score on Hostelworld.com for security (as she insisted she needed a private hotel or hostel room to make sure her belongings were safe), and that it was called a "slum" by multiple reviewers. She was miffed no one who responded to her thread was being "helpful" at directing her to the names of hotels and hostels with private rooms for 2 that cost 35 Euro or less a night and refused to acknowledge most decent hostels in Paris are charging about 25 Euro per person, per night for a bed in a dorm room (not the private room she was seeking).

She claimed to be from NYC and is regularly able to direct travelers to NYC motels that cost under $40/night for a double and include free breakfast and WiFi. I asked her to share the names of said motels as I do go to NYC a lot but the only places I am aware of that cost under $40 in NYC would require me to step over a toothless prostitute shooting heroin between her toes in order to access my room (I also believe they would NOT include free WiFi or breakfast).

She really did not like someone saying a church/non-profit should not be used by tourists to obtain free meals meant for the homeless. Naturally, a soup kitchen isn't about to card people at the door to determine if they truly are homeless and they probably would give her a free meal. I was a poor student, too, at one point. But did what many students do: eat ramen noodles or nurse a $3 beer from some bar that puts out a free buffet for customers during Happy Hour. However, when she made the comment there was often "musical entertainment" accompanying her free meals at the church, I figured she might not actually be scamming a free dinner meant for the homeless and she must be hanging around with the Hare Krishnas who do offer up free vegan meals to anyone wiling to sit through a whole lot of tambourine shaking and chanting while they eat their tofu. If I was a poor student visiting Paris, I would much prefer to go dumpster diving for day old macarons behind Pierre Herme or Laduree than endure that Hare Krishna song on repeat for an hour.

"...but the only places I am aware of that cost under $40 in NYC would require me to step over a toothless prostitute shooting heroin between her toes"

That was a howler, Ceidleh. Not sure how I forgot that line overnight, but I did. And yes, Karen, I too would like to know where those hotels are!

Was that the thread where the OP was looking for lodgings for €15-29 per night? I believe I took the time to reply to that thread, so it's a bit disappointing that it was deleted as the information could have been of use to others. I'll think twice before replying to any further questions from that particular poster (provided she uses the same name).

Yes, that is the thread, Ken. And, as Norma points out, the post was a little "off" and I didn't know whether to take it seriously either. A bit trollish, if you will.

But we appreciated the clip from "Eurotrip". That was Joanna Lumley, Patsy in "Absolutely Fabulous".

LOL! I second Dave.

"She really did not like someone saying a church/non-profit should not be used by tourists to obtain free meals meant for the homeless."

Yes, I confess, I was the one who commented on her observation that free meals were available at many churches and non-profits (assume she meant gospel missions, soup kitchens, etc). My jaw actually dropped when I read that one. The thought of a tourist in a foreign country stooping so low as to take free meals meant for the local poor and homeless just because they are traveling on a budget boggles my mind. I guess it's probably best that I didn't read any further comments after I posted that one and I'm not sorry that she deleted it. I've hear all of Rick's stories about his early 'poor student' travels in Europe and how they ate and slept on a very low budget (sometimes $0/day) but I doubt if he ever even considered this means of getting free meals in Europe.

Thanks for filling me in.

I didn't see it, but I am totally blown away that anybody would think it appropriate to horn in on meals provided by charities to the homeless.

Now I'm glad she's gone. It really does sound trollish. I wonder why she pulled it though....

I was also stunned by the – free meals from nonprofits – comment.

However, I think there is value in responding to seemingly bizarre questions with some gentleness (and I admit, I often fail at that). When I first tried using this forum, a series of responses drove me away... I wanted to spend time on retreat with the monastic community at Mont S Michel. I asked if anyone had done it or had contact information. I received a series of snarky comments that started along the lines of "you can't sleep at MSM, any more than you can sleep at the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, or the Arc de Triomphe." That was followed by the person's repeated – and ignorant – assurance that he/she had spent much time at MSM and there were no monks. I tried to clarify that it is an active monastery – because I hoped for useful information from someone less ignorant. I finally gave up... the tone of the responses just wasn't worth it. I later found the info and had a wonderful retreat (despite what the twit believed). And eventually returned to the forum.

She might have been a troll. I don't think so. There are more people now in this "sharing" economy that are looking for free stuff. Websites tell you how to complain, or just ask, and receive free product. Couchsurfing, Uber, Air B&B, all promote themselves as ways to share or barter, and cut out the middle man. Never mind that these same companies make their money from the sharing users.

I just think she showed up here thinking she could find something cheap, but it didn't work out. She left in a huff about only millionaires being able to afford to travel.

I've got a great idea. I'm going to start a beggar outfitting company. I'll "share" a dog, some raggedy looking bedding, and some smelly clothes. You can sit on a street corner for an afternoon to get some cash, cadge a meal at the soup kitchen, and bed down at Salvy Army. All I ask is 10% of your take, and please mention me on your blog.

Karen,

"There are more people now in this "sharing" economy that are looking for free stuff."

Where did society go wrong? I wonder what happened to the concept of actually working for a living?

On a related note, I was just reading an article on the "sharing" economy with services like Uber, delivery services, etc. The fact is that most of the participants in these ventures end up working for less than minimum wage. The parent corporations don't have to pay benefits or pension, and they reap most of the profits. In addition to that, if your customers give negative ratings and your overall rating falls below 4.7 (out of 5), you can be unceremoniously given the "bum's rush" right out the door.

I am bummed the thread got deleted because Ken's YouTube clip was absolutely the best.

Troll? Who knows. I've seen some younger college students post here that are newbies to international travel and it most likely is their first trip where Mom and Dad aren't footing the bill. Or maybe they reside in a more rural part of the U.S. where they see motels advertising rooms for $30-$40/night, so they have no real concept about what's a realistic price to pay for lodging (or food) in a big city. Tammy did not initially state where she was from, so I thought she might be one of those students who just doesn't have a clue how to budget appropriately. I've seen them out on the road. Having taken a network of hop-on/hop-off backpacker buses throughout New Zealand for several months, it amazed me how many times I was bumping into students in the 18-21 age bracket that budgeted for a plane and bus ticket and bunk bed in a hostel, but had almost nothing to spend on food or admissions. Some of them hadn't even saved enough money for a hostel dorm, they used the bus as a place to sleep.

But it would not surprise me to know there are people who wouldn't think twice about taking food from a church or non-profit because they are too cheap or too dumb to realize it's meant for those who are truly in need. The sense of entitlement of some people is staggering.

Ceidleh,

I wouldn't want you to be bummed, so HERE'S the video again. Unfortunately I can't post the Vinnie Jones bus scenes on the forum. Those are even more entertaining (especially the one shown in the outtakes at the end).

I've just experienced that video. Thanks, Ken. It is soooo realistic. I must have stayed at its evil twin in Munich some 45 years ago.

It sure felt like we were locked in. We were certainly locked out during the day.

I'm not sure about the very personal storage of valuables though. Pretty sure I didn't do that. I did have my stuff in bed with me though.

I am so sorry I missed "Tammy's" thread! Ken, the video is much appreciated. The whole board discussion is pretty entertaining.

The entire EuroTrip movie was kind of goofy but very entertaining and was filled with stereotypes. As I mentioned earlier, the Vinnie Jones segments with "British Soccer Hooligans" was one of the most entertaining parts (at least for me). I needed a good laugh tonight so brought it up on YouTube and I'm still laughing.

For the old-time veterans on this site, a reminder of someone else who was looking for low cost accommodations.

http://www.celtdancer.com/

Oh, Karen! The wonderful Tanya (have I remembered her name right?) and her mad passion for a passing stranger. Well, he was almost a passing stranger.

Ah yes, the 'hoop lady'! Was wondering when someone was going to bring her up again, it's been a long time since anyone has mentioned her. I must confess that she did come to my mind a couple of times recently with some of the 'travel on the cheap' posts, especially this one - but I wasn't going to be the one to bring her back to life here. Thanks Karen for the link, I had forgotten what her website was.

Norma, I think her name is Tina. Always made me think of Tina the Tiny Dancer.

where have we gone NOW!!!

I never expected to have her crop up on one of my threads....

Oh, Nigel, act all innocent if you will. We know there are hoops in your closet.