I once went on holiday to Paris with a group (3 others) and found myself turned into an unpaid tour guide. I was the only one who spoke French and I was doing all the translating of menus, arranging, explaining and organizing. And I was guiding them around places like Versailles etc that Ive visited before.
On day 3, much to their annoyance, I went off to the fleamarket and spent the entire day there. Then I went to the bookshops on the left bank which are open until ten in the evening, than had dinner. Returned to the hotel to black looks and mouths down to the floor.
One of my foolish companions (friend of a friend) had lost all her money, travel cheques (long before credit cards) and passport. They had spend all day in the local gendamerie getting a police report in English and French.
Oh dear. I was made to feel sooooo guilty because I wasnt there and they dont speak French.
I told them they would have to go to the British Embassy to get a replacement emergency passport. Be prepared for lots of standing in queues, waiting, explaining and form filling. But I would not be coming with them as they speak ENGLISH at the British Embassy and they did not need me.
After all it was my holiday too. Spent another day at the fleamarket.
Never gone on holiday with a group again.
There was a very cool atmosphere travelling back and we sat on different seats on the train from Paris to Callais.
Our Welfare State. Is it broken?