In this storytime, I’m taking y’all back to my very first Carnival experience here in Europe… and yes, I got scammed. I’m walking you through how it went down, what I thought I was paying for, and the exact moment I realized I had been played. If you’ve ever been outside, excited, in the vibes, and moving a little too trusting because it feels like a “fun” environment—this one is for you. My biggest takeaway is that scams don’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s small, quick, and wrapped up in the energy of the crowd, the music, and everybody having a good time. I share what I wish I would’ve done differently, what to watch for when you’re at big events abroad, and how I’m moving now so it doesn’t happen again. And of course, I want to hear from you—have you ever been scammed while traveling or at a festival? Because listen… drop it in the comments and let’s talk about it.