I walked into a store and found a cute dress for an inexpensive price. Although I didn't have much time, I raced into the dressing room, tried on the dress, and raced out to make my purchase. After several attempts to overcome the language barrier, I was finally able to make my purchse.

I looked at my watch and noticed I was about two minutes late (and nowhere near the bus). Panic set in so I began sprinting through the mall. Outside, I met up with our tour guide, Stephanie, who had left the bus to...look for me. As we walked, she casually mentioned that my zipper appeared to be down. I was mortified. If the French have any pre-conceived ideas about crazy Americans, I’m sure the sight of me running through the mall with my zipper down did nothing to convince them otherwise. I arrived on the bus to a round of applause from all of my fellow tour members who were waiting for me. I was mortified again but relieved that my zipper was up.

My friends and family laugh at this story because I am an avid, some might say fanatical, shopper--they know better than to leave me alone in a mall!