Michael shares his experience on the steps of Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles, we call, The Hash Story.
Who brings weed with them on an overseas holiday?
Even a chronic weed smoker wouldn’t risk going through airport security with even a single joint.
And what would be the point anyway… would a gram or two really make the holiday any better?
No, it wouldn’t. The holiday… this particular holiday was all about the Mediterranean cruise, seeing new things, good food, relaxing, experiencing.
I wasn’t a chronic weed smoker any way, so having it mattered even less, but on a day excursion into Marseille, when presented with an unsolicited opportunity, my expression betrayed an automatic and eager interest.
“Do you want any hash”, came the fervently whispered offer.
There was no time to think… no time to rationalize… no time to remind myself that it wasn’t even remotely important. Instead, my impulsive reaction was more like, ‘Why not. A little nugget of hash would further enhance this happy holiday.’ A verbal response wasn’t even necessary. He could tell I was interested.
Stephanie and I had elected to roam freely on this day’s excursion.
We found ourselves wandering around the tourist travelled centre of Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles.
Obviously, these jackals hunted here for this very reason.
One jackal glanced over to his cohorts standing idly a few metres away, prompting one of them to walk casually past us with a silent nod down to his hand. Without being consciously aware of my own part in this choreographed transaction, I accepted the marble sized treat and quickly pocketed it.
“Twenty Euros”. He spoke quickly… nervously, trying to appear nonchalant as he inserted the going price, within his casual conversation. My first thought was, either this guy wasn’t very experienced with selling hash to ship tourists, or it was a contrived effort to impart a nervous tension to me, that I might be eager to quickly complete the deal.
Or maybe our furtive parlance was simply designed to not draw any suspicions within the crowded courtyard. As he strolled along with us, I kneaded the putty-like ball in my pocket, instinctively attempting to verify its authenticity. A triggering moment, a deep rooted aversion to be swindled, a growing suspicion… whatever it was, I replied in a quiet measured determination.
“No thanks. I’m not really interested”. I pulled the blackish ball out of my pocket in an effort to pass it over to my shady acquaintance. He pulled away in earnest, a panicked reply coming quickly.
“There are police everywhere here. Just give me twenty euros. Don’t take it out of your pocket please.”
His nervous demeanour was an act, an obvious one, intended to frighten me into giving him money. He wasn’t going to take the hash, and any insistent persistence on my part, would soon draw unwanted attention to Stephanie and I.
Unfortunately for him, his ploy only reinforced my suspicion that this bothersome little nugget in my pocket was nothing more than a small piece of black modelling plasticine. With resolution I walked down the courtyard steps, placing the pseudo hash on top of the short concrete pillar at the bottom. He followed, a frustrated, annoyed expression replacing his edgy, anxious one, as he scooped it up. Another tourist would surely fall prey to their trickery, but it wouldn’t be us.
As Stephanie and I turned away, to join the bustling throng of happy tourists, I couldn’t help but glance back, offering him and his little gang of port pirates a wry grin of satisfaction at our successfully navigated encounter. Only angry glares were returned our way.
Each day of the rest of our holiday was just a little more shiny because of our experience with Marseille hash. It’s not necessary to scam people to feel like you’ve won the day.
Refusing to get scammed is so much more satisfying.
S, 🇫🇷
2018 Christmas Adventure – MSC Magnifica Mediterranean Cruise
December 22nd, 2018 – Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona, Spain – Arriving & Restaurant Leones
Barcelona, Spain – Exploring The City
Barcelona, Spain – Christmas Lights At La Rambla
december 23rd, 2018 – Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona, Spain – 4 km To Sagrada Familia
Barcelona, Spain – A Vibrant Walk Past Columbus Monument And More
Barcelona, Spain – Arc de Triomf – Arch Of Victory
Barcelona, Spain – Sagrada Familia Basilica – Nativity Facade – Portal Of Hope
Barcelona, Spain – Sagrada Familia Basilica – Nativity Facade – Portal Of Charity
Barcelona, Spain – Sagrada Familia Basilica – Nativity Facade – Portal Of Faith
Barcelona, Spain – Sagrada Familia Basilica – The Interior
Barcelona, Spain – Sagrada Familia – Interior – Videos
Barcelona, Spain – Sagrada Familia Basilica – The Passion Facade
Barcelona, Spain – Sagrada Familia Basilica – Nativity Facade Top View
Barcelona, Spain – MSC Magnifica Cruise Ship – Boarding
December 24th, 2018 – Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea – MSC Magnifica Cruise Ship – Christmas Eve Day
Mediterranean Sea – MSC Magnifica Cruise Ship – Christmas Eve Dinner At Quattro Venti Restaurant
December 25th, 2018 – Civitavecchia, Italy
Civitavecchia, Italy – MSC Magnifica Cruise Ship – Arriving On Christmas Day
December 25th, 2018 – Rome, Italy – Rome On Your own
Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – The Arch Of Constantine & The Colosseum
Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – Santa Francesca Romana – Basilica Of Saint Frances Of Rome
Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – The Temple Of Peace
Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – Altare della Patria – Alter Of The Fatherland
Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – Piazza Venezia – Venice Square
Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – Caffe Roma
Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – Ponte Vittorio Emanuel II
Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – Ponte Sant’Angelo – The Friendly SeaGull
Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – Capitoline Hill & Castor & Pollux
Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – Piazza del Campidoglio
Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – Arch Of Septimius Severus
Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – Sights Along Via del Fori Imperiali
Vatican City, Rome, Italy – Christmas Day – St. Peter’s Square
December 26th, 2018 – Genoa, Italy
Genoa, Italy – MSC Magnifica Cruise Ship – Arriving On Boxing Day
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Hennebique Silos
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Sopraelevata & Walk The Line Project
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Porto Antico – Old Harbour Of Genoa
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Porto Antico – McDonald’s Macaroons!
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Porto Antico – Palazzo San Giorgio
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Local Artist Angelo Gnecco
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Chiesa del Gesù – Church Of Jesus
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Carruggi (Alleys) Of The Historic Centre
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Piazza De Ferrari
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Gastronomical Delights
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Genoa Cathedral
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Doors
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Porta Soprana & Towers Of Sant’Andrea
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – St. Andrew Cloister
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Grand Hotel Miramare
Genoa, Italy – Boxing Day – Marina Porto Antico
December 27th, 2018 – Marseille, France
Marseille, France – Porte d’Aix
Marseille France – Gare de Marseille -Saint-Charles
Marseille, France – Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles – The Hash Story
Marseille, France – Notre-Dame de la Garde
Marseille, France – Saint Vincent de Paul Church – Reformed Church
Quite the main street, glad you did not walk it. Glad Michael walked away with no harm done. xoxoxo