Did I just get mugged?
Monday, November 20th, 2006Unfortunately, my first mugging story didn’t turn out to be as cool as I had hoped. Even still, I feel unsure how to categorize this experience.
It was a bright sunny day like any other, and I was on the walk back home from work on the busy road from Riobamba to Guano. Not far from the university, I notice a tall skinny man in a leather jacket notice me, turn around and stand in my path 20 feet ahead of me with one hand concealed in his jacket pocket. It is obvious to me this individual intends to have an exchange with me, at the very least a few words. However, for whatever reason, I cannot seem to categorize this situation as a threat in my catalogue of possible outcomes. Maybe it is the big, glazed eyes that seem to be unable to follow my movements, the haphazard way he stands on the curb, or the fear I read in his eyes. I quickly judge that I can outrun, out-shove, and outthink this person, allowing for a reasonable margin of error. I half expect him to hand me a pamphlet.
[read on]
Aaron Baldassare