Heads up on Paris Métro

Travelers to Paris should be aware that, at least as of my trip in March ’09, there are no longer ticket booths in the Métro stations. The booths were where you used to be able to buy tickets for the subway and the bus lines. There are now two machines instead; apparently, one takes credit cards and the other cash.

The instructions are in French, of course, but if you look hard enough you can find a button to press for an English translation that will appear on a small screen. It is fairly complicated, so I bought enough tickets to last me through my next several trips to Paris.

If you really need help, there is a person behind a glass screen labeled “Information.” He or she will rather reluctantly help you if you speak English to them.

The latest street scam — a person will approach you, bend over, pick up a ring from the street and offer to sell you this “gold” ring for a very cheap price. It is, of course, totally worthless. A friend was approached this way three times in three days and I was approached once. Just ignore them and keep going.

ABBIE SALNY

Wayne, NJ