HAH. I just realized - not three years ago: FIVE. I'm thinking with pandemic brain.
In 2018 I was robbed on my morning run (on a route with other people not far ahead) by two Venezuelans who were disappointed that I didn't have a better quality phone, so they held me for 10 minutes so I couldn't warn their next (more lucrative!) victims on the track. I literally started a chat about their families in Caracas with a gun to my side. :) I am *very* good under high pressure situations like that.
@disk4mat I have a funny Canadian story of being robbed in Kitchener-Waterloo, too. :)
It was Saturday during an Oktoberfest, and I'd forgotten one item at the farmer's market. So I literally popped out again with my cell & coin to buy the missing item.
On my return, I was attacked from behind by someone who immediately threatened sexual violence to scare me, then grabbed my phone and ran.
I was SO stunned. But... he'd only taken my phone. :) I still had my precious bacon.
So life went on. 🇨🇦
OMG that is scarey but you saved the bacon what a loser he was.
Thanks for sharing that I would never buy an expensive phone if I were you.
Safety!
@disk4mat Absolutely! The first time I was robbed here, they were disappointed because they'd thought my phone would be fancier - but it was my phone for emergencies, a beat-up number. This time, the thief did get away with a more expensive number - something I'd bought last year thinking about promo work - and I'll be living with my banged up emergency phone for a while instead. (And no more photos of food or scenery for a bit, either, alack!) So it goes.
Lessons learned, and we go on. :)
Making me think about showing mine now...I have a good camera with a nice white lens when I use it I am very aware of who are around me.
@disk4mat I got too comfortable in my 'hood. I know better. The world is a rough place, & honestly, when I saw that scrawny thief my first thought was "damn, if not for the gun to my head I could totally take him".
There are a lot of hungry people with mouths to feed either here, or in Venezuela. To flash a fancy phone is to parade affluence. Not my *fault* I was robbed, but I know better.
That fellow is very likely to die in a robbery one day. His life is worse than mine.
Big hugs to you.
Thank you and back at you. 🤗
I hear you on the hungry people all over they do what they must we both understand that.
Can I ask you why you live in Columbia. I don't think it is a country I would visit.
I don't even wear my wedding ring when I go on holidays. We have a friend who was told give me the rings now or I take your finger in Mexico.
Stay safe.
@disk4mat It's good policy not to wear jewellery in public!
My BIL's family decided they could slip off-resort & party in "regular" Mexico, only to get detained and extorted by local police for cash & belongings.
Travelling *anywhere* means respecting the local culture, & recognizing that if you look like a tourist you look like a mark.
But mostly, my life here is one of joy and thankfulness among good people. Outlier events like this don't change the net positives. Stay safe when you travel!