Getting Robbed in Cusco, Peru. And Catching the Thief.
While in Cusco, Peru, Jim and I had a couple hours to kill before we were to catch a flight to Lima. We decided just to wander around town.
We were walking in a non-touristy market-y area on a beautiful Saturday morning. There were lots of people out on the street as you can see in the photo below.
I just want to note, than when Jim and I are traveling, the person who is NOT wearing the backpack (is this case I am referring to a small daybag, not a giant backpack) is in charge of keeping an eye on the backpack being worn by the other person. We are very vigilant about this. In fact, literally two minutes before the incident happened, we were standing on a bridge and Jim was taking some photos. I put my arm around his back, over the backpack, while it was exposed to passersby. This is just an example of how careful we usually are around protecting the bag. Even when we are walking around, I will stay ever-so-slightly behind Jim just so I can always keep an eye on the bag.
The photo Jim took from the bridge a minute before being robbed
Back to the story. Suddenly, the sidewalk got extremely crowded to the point where all of us were pushed up against each other. Jim got separated from me and was about one or two people in front of me. At that moment I realized this was not a good situation and that I better keep a closer eye on him and his bag.
Then I saw that a bird crapped all over the back and side of Jim’s neck. I saw him sort of turn his head when he realized it happened, but he didn’t really react. I remembered thinking, “That sucks, we will have to go get him cleaned up.”
As I was staring at the bird crap I realized that it did not look like bird crap. It looked like spit.
Then, in the next two seconds, a few things happened. I realized immediately that someone spit on Jim and that it was part of a scam and my brain went into defense mode. As a backpacker, you have either read or heard about the scam where someone either spits on you, squirts mustard or hand lotion or crap on you, then comes over and helps you clean it off, all while robbing you. I immediately looked at his backpack and sure enough I saw that the small outer pocket was UNzipped. I starting yelling to him, “Jim! Your bag! Your bag is open!” Remember we were in an extremely crowded area.
In that same second, I looked around to see if I could see someone actually robbing him. There was a small older lady next to me, maybe about four and a half feet tall, and I must have seen her hand on his bag or something – I can’t remember what I saw now – but I knew it was her. I grabbed her. I grabbed her arm so she couldn’t get away. I don’t even remember what I said to her, but likely she didn’t understand since I don’t speak Spanish. I am still surprised at myself that I actually grabbed her like I did.
Immediately she reached into her pockets to show me she didn’t have anything. I thought this gave away her guilt that she even knew to show me her pockets’ contents.
By this time, Jim was next to me and he even patted the pockets on the front of the lady’s sweater and there was nothing there.
I asked him what was in that front pocket of his bag (I had thought it was empty anyway, other than some change). He said, his iPhone! I couldn’t believe he had his phone in there!
So I couldn’t stand there holding on to the lady any longer, and I was starting to wonder if maybe she WAS innocent, so I let her go, and she calmly started to walk away.
At that moment, two police officers showed up out of nowhere. I pointed at the lady walking away and exclaimed “She robbed us!” It felt like a scene from a movie. Jim was exclaiming the same thing to them but in Spanish (which I’m sure was more helpful than my English).
The male officer saw us clearly pointing at the lady, who was only about 6 feet away, and he just stood there. He didn’t make any moves to go talk to her or anything. He just let her go. We couldn’t believe it. He just stood there!
Then, I saw a woman standing at the side of the bridge point to the ground. I went over to where she was pointing and there was a little pink plastic bag on the ground literally an inch from falling off the side of the bridge. I looked closer and saw the iPhone was inside the bag.
Jim said the woman who was pointing to the bag said that the thief woman dropped it there.
I couldn’t believe we recovered the phone. My heard was beating fast.
I know what you are thinking: “I would never be dumb enough to let that happen to me!” Jim and I are usually extremely, extremely vigilant when we go out – almost to the point of paranoia. All it took was just one moment of laziness.
You are probably also wondering: Why on earth would you put something expensive like an iPhone in an easily accessible front pocket of a backpack? This was my question for Jim! He said when we was packing that morning, he was thinking about packing for our long flight home, not thinking about walking around on the street. If he was thinking about being on the street, he never would have put anything in that pocket.
You may also be thinking: How did you not know to put your backpack on your front side when in a crowded space? This is another bit of laziness on our part. It was also my bad for not being sure to stay directly behind him so I could keep my eye on the bag. He said he also thought I was right behind him, watching the bag, so he didn’t think he needed to switch the bag to the front.
After we found the phone, I wiped the giant mound of spit off Jim’s neck. It was so gross. I was actually thankful that he got spit on, though. If she would have just stolen the phone, we never would have known until it was too late. But the spit called my attention to the situation.
Tags: Cuzco, Peru & Bolivia 2010, scam
Kelly
This piece of writing is really a fastidious one it helps new
the web people, who are wishing for blogging.
My web blog 먹튀사이트
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came
to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to improve
my web site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
Here is my website: 먹튀검증사이트
22Bet
I found a great…
Why people still use to read news papers when in this
technological world everything is accessible on net?
Stop by my site – 먹튀검증
Excellent weblog here! Additionally your website so much up very
fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I want my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers?
I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?
Also visit my web page 롤육성 라이즈팀
Can I simply say what a relief to uncover an individual who actually understands
what they’re talking about on the web. You definitely know how to
bring a problem to light and make it important.
More people should look at this and understand this side of your story.
I was surprised you’re not more popular because you most certainly have the gift.
Look at my site 먹튀검증
This is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing
this one. A must read post!
my webpage 구글상위노출
Enzymes can therefore distinguish between very similar substrate molecules to be chemoselective, regioselective and stereospecific.
Hello There. I discovered your blog using msn.
This is a really well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of
your useful info. Thank you for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.
Because the admin of this website is working, no uncertainty very soon it will be renowned,
due to its quality contents.
Feel free to surf to my web blog – 롤대리 라이즈팀
I got this web site from my friend who shared with me on the topic of this website and now this time I am browsing this website
and reading very informative posts here.
my website – 안전사이트
free lesbian cams
Getting Robbed in Cusco, Peru. And Catching the Thief. » TravelBlog Archive » Quit Dreaming and Go Somewhere
Hi there, its fastidious piece of writing on the topic of media print,
we all be aware of media is a enormous source of facts.
Take a look at my site :: 먹튀검증
XO SO KON TUM
blog topic
I have read so many articles or reviews on the topic of the
blogger lovers however this piece of writing is really a pleasant piece
of writing, keep it up.
Also visit my website – 먹튀검증사이트
KQXSDNA
blog topic
craksracing.com
blog topic
XSBN
blog topic
http://board.nanospy.cc
blog topic
Continuing
blog topic
SXQT
blog topic
It’s really a great and useful piece of info. I am satisfied
that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us up
to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
my webpage; 토토사이트
XSHP
blog topic
You may get a greater moment and from there they moved over to bodily tarot cards you’ll.
Adults are tons of of years throughout the online you could find the
individual. Most cancers for you to boost your understanding expertise
the higher are the actual thing. Telephone is not going
to only weave the person to take small steps to larger and
higher at communication. Take a decision for them to get essential shopper data and then the remainder.
However usually it does take a. Use the peace and quiet area where you will
find yourself giving unhealthy news for that particular person. Comply
with my guide one on you and supplying you with a head to head communique with a psychic.
Take a look at not surprisingly charge for the one Landmark psychotherapy counselling all of.
In free credit after registration this doesn’t rule out the visualizations in front
of the querent. It is your end up to you thru a channel
which gives clarity to seemingly unsolvable issues.
cool training
blog topic
hci training sap
blog topic
excellent digitizing
Getting Robbed in Cusco, Peru. And Catching the Thief. » TravelBlog Archive » Quit Dreaming and Go Somewhere
I am curious to find out what blog system you’re utilizing?
I’m having some minor security problems with my latest site and I
would like to find something more risk-free. Do you
have any suggestions?
Feel free to surf to my web site … 안전놀이터
Scarlett Johansson Photoshopped Or Real It Is
Getting Robbed in Cusco, Peru. And Catching the Thief. » TravelBlog Archive » Quit Dreaming and Go Somewhere
visit the next internet site
blog topic
Keep this going please, great job!
There is clearly a lot to identify about this.
I believe you made various good points in features also.
Xo So Ha Noi
blog topic
Heⅼlo theгe eѵeryone ɑt bootsnall.сom. I’m the owner of StarLightBreeze.ϲom Guided Meditation for Nausea Meditations Site.
Ι want to share mү complimentary mindfulness audio lectures such
aѕ Guided Meditation fоr Forgiveness and Guided Meditation foг Pain Relief wіth everyubody ɑt bootsnall.ϲom to rеally help you tο manage tension ɑnd
relax. Μuch Love xox
This article offers clear idea for the new visitors of blogging, that actually how to do running a
blog.
http://www.roovet.com
blog topic
zShot App
Getting Robbed in Cusco, Peru. And Catching the Thief. » TravelBlog Archive » Quit Dreaming and Go Somewhere
KQXSHP
blog topic
Very good information. Lucky me I found your website by channce (stumbleupon).
I have saved it for later!
Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog
shine. Please let me know where you got your theme.
Thanks
Feel free to surf to my blog … 롤육성
I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog.
Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the nice
quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.
Wow, this paragraph is fastidious, my sister is analyzing these
kinds of things, so I am going to inform her.
I am truly happy to read this webpage posts which includes plenty of
helpful facts, thanks for providing these information.
my-lgbt.wiki
blog topic
Some times its a pain in the ass to read what website owners
wrote but this site is rattling user friendly!
read more on uujama.com`s official blog
blog topic
ZA
XSTB
blog topic
argentina.happypetpark.com
blog topic