I’ve been in Quito for less than 48 hours, and I got robbed. I fell for a known trick, a trick that I read about before coming here and was warned about again once I got here. My only excuse is that this was a slight variation on the trick. I was having a great day exploring the Centro Historico. Quito is such a beautiful city high in the Andes set against a backdrop of mist-covered peaks. There are so many hills in the Old Town; I mean 35 to 45 degree inclines. I explored the busy, winding streets and plazas, looking into the many shops crammed next to each other selling anything and everything. I was intrigued by the women selling ice cream on the street from a large bowl piled high with about three quarts of ice cream that they would scoop into a cone. I was amused by the roasted pigs head sitting at the entrance of a restaurant enticing me to dine there. I was surprised to see men actually welding and sewing suits in the Comercial Artesenal Mercado.
I was on my way to catch the bus back to La Mariscal where I am staying. Liquid dropped on me from above. I thought it was bird shit. I got confused and a little disoriented. It happened in about 3 seconds. The moment my backpack hit the ground, my brain started working again… about 1 second too late. There were people around but not too crowded, and I used my broken Spanish to ask where the robber went and then to find a police officer. It was as if the robbers disappeared into thin air. I think there were two of them, although I only saw one. Someone flagged down a police officer on a motorbike, and he motioned for me to hop on the back. So of course I did. We sped through the winding streets; I still had hope I’d see someone with my backpack, and I would point and yell, “Allá!” (not sure if that’s the right word since my Spanish dictionary was stolen and I don’t start Spanish classes until Monday). Then the police officer would tackle him, and I would get in a few good kicks in the ribs before taking back my bag. Of course, I will never see my backpack again.
I went to the Tourist Police Station to file a report. They have a pretty smooth process, since this happens all the time here. Do you know what you get when you are an unfortunate tourist who gets robbed in Quito?
You get some wonderful tourism books. Seriously, while I was in the police car being taken to the stations, the officer riding with me in the back handed me the books you see pictured to the right. I almost started laughing; it at least put a smile on my face. “We’re sorry you got robbed, but there is still some great stuff for you to see and do here in Ecuador.” I also got a free ride back to my hostel. Thanks, fellas.
On the bright side, I did not have much in my backpack. I had already been warned repeatedly to never carry anything with me of real importance. Never carry your passport, only a photocopy. Never carry more money than you plan to use that day. I had no cards, no passport, and no money in that backpack.
Here is what I lost:
- Backpack – the most expensive thing
- Rain jacket – the second most expensive thing
- Wallet – it was empty except for the photocopy of my passport; not even sure why I had an empty wallet with me
- Nalgene bottle
- Spanish pocket dictionary
- Small notebook and pen
- Compass/ whistle
- Pack of tissues
- Pack of gum
- Banana – which I really want to eat right now, but I can buy another for less than a quarter
I hope they were disappointed when they realized they did not get any credit cards or money or passport or phone or camera. In preparing for this trip, I read in the book The Practical Nomad to never be attached to the possessions you bring on your travels. Things get stolen, lost, and broken. Remember that they are just things, and they can be replaced. If it cannot be replaced, you shouldn’t bring it with you. Although I try to have this mindset, it is difficult.
I obviously could be really upset about this and let it ruin my experience here. And don’t get me wrong – I’m pissed and I still feel stupid for letting it happen. But then I remember the mother and daughter from Quito that I sat next to on the plane. We had not spoken other than basic pleasantries until we were in the descent to Quito when she said to me, unprompted, in a mixture of Spanish and English that her daughter was in an accident and had gone to the United States for three months of treatment. They were now on their way home. She said the United States had helped them very much. I did my best to tell her that I was going to Quito to study Spanish for a month. Then she wrote her name, email address, cell phone number, and home phone number on a napkin and said, “We help you. Bienvenidos a Ecuador.” As cliché as it sounds, this truly warmed my heart. As I watched her help her daughter into a wheelchair from the airport tram, I thought how much I wanted to be able to communicate with her further, to know more of their story. Learning the language is the key to having those important connections with people (and to filing a police report). And I also thought about how that exchange would probably never happen in a reverse scenario; I would not strike up a conversation with a foreigner in the US and offer my help, let alone my contact information.
I choose to remember my first welcome to this country and look forward to making connections with the people of Quito because they are kind and interesting people. Yes, bienvenidos a Ecuador.
omg i’m sitting here gasping (while shawn is watching osu pound on minn)… so glad nothing too important was in the backpack and at least you learned this lesson nice and early in your travels. just a growing pain, right?!
Glad you are OK! Did you actually drop your backpack or did they take it off you?
A woman took it off me before I realized what was happening. I need to remember that women are often used in robberies or scams because you don’t suspect them right away.
OMG! The weirdest thing about this is yesterday I thought it was strange you hadn’t written on your sight that you arrived safely even though I knew you had arrived safely because you had written to me directly. But then later I thought you had been robbed! And then I prayed AGAIN for you. Only mothers (& fathers) will really know what I am going thru with their daughter in a foreign country. Thank God you weren’t hurt or worse. Was it my gift that got stolen? I’m also glad your camera wasn’t stolen. Are you ordering a new backpack? And I have to remind myself that the same thing can happen to you in the US.
Love Mom
No, I will be buying the cheapest bag I can find here because I’m guessing it will be stolen again.
This is Mario from Cardinal. We don’t know each other well, but I’m very glad that you made it safely into Ecuador. I think that what you are doing is very special since I’m from South America (Venezuela to be specific) and it’s so dear to me. It’s very regrettable that you got robbed, especially so soon. Be very careful. My only advice is that you avoid carrying backpacks with you since that is a clear sign that you’re a foreigner (no matter what Latin American country you go to). They will probably still judge you by your appearance, but the less you carry, the less appealing you will be. I’m telling you this from firsthand experience. God bless you and may He keep you safe.
Thanks, Mario.
So is life , Always remmeber the good times
Location, location, location. Isn’t that what they say? I guess the inside of a police car is as good of a location to promote tourism. Some people are just so crafty. At his point, I’m not sure if I think the thieves or the businesses advertising in the police car are more crafty. 😉
Glad to hear you didn’t lose too much!
There was actually a moment when I was on the back of the motorcycle with the police officer, and I thought, “Hey, this is pretty fun zipping around the streets looking for a thief. This will be a good story.”
You are such a great writer ! Enjoyed reading about your day despite the crappy event!!!
I am so sorry that you were robbed in your first 48 hours. But I am glad that they didn’t get much. I hope that the banana gives him the trots!
On a brighter note, you really do have a great writing style and some of your thoughts really make me stop and think. Jennie and I were talking about this the other night and we are really excited to keep up with your travels.
I am so sorry that you were robbed in your first 48 hours but I am glad that they got nothing more than what you listed and that you weren’t hurt. I hope the banana gives him the trots if he eats it.
You crack me up. I hope so too
smart travel chica for not having much in there! now go get you a little local cheap-o purse and wear that everywhere. when you actually have your camera on you are you going to weld it to your body?
I won’t even take my camera out here. It’s really dangerous unless you are with “un hombre masculino” as I was told by a police officer I asked when I first got here.
wow, glad you’re ok and didnt lose anything valuable. so how did your back-pack hit the ground- did someone cut the straps? they used water to disorient you??
They used some sort of yellow liquid and dropped it on me from above to make it look like bird shit to disorient me. Then a woman tried to “help” clean it up as a way to take my backpack.
*whew! That started out sounding like it was going to be a really bad story but actually made me laugh (tourism info in the police car lol). Glad you did your research! Miss you! Stay safe!
Way to make the best of a rough situation!
My Uncle always said that the are no bad experiences in life, as long as you were able to keep an open mind and learn from them. I think that your insights demonstrate that you’ve done exactly that, so you’re way ahead of the game.
If it helps at all, think of the things you lost as tuition de La Universidad de la Vida. They’re much cheaper than the amount you’d paid for another quarter at OSU and the education is far more relevant to life.
Very true, but I hope I’m done paying tuition to La Universidad de la Vida… at least for this quarter
Hey Steph,
When your mom told me about your plans I thought you were out of your mind going it alone!! I was wrong as you sure have done some great PREP work!! Now I can’t wait to hear about all your adventures. Be SMART and have a BLAST!!
Robin
Hi Stephanie – I had lunch with Joe today and he told me about your adventure and blog. How exciting for you! I look forward to reading all about your travels. Stay safe!
4 days on where’s the next post stunner !
So how are the Spanish classes going? Hope they give you a new Spanish dictionary : ) Hope you find a big guy to go with you to take some pictures. Would love to see some of you & your surrounding area. It would be interesting to see your school & your apartment.
Love Mom
This story is toooo funny! The police ride plus books gift is hilarious. I am glad you were not hurt, however. As you say, things come and go.
Yes, it was definitely an amusing experience after the initial robbery. I heard a lot about people getting robbed violently in Quito, so I am glad I just lost my backpack.
The Travel Chica recently posted..Campo in the City
Cannot image being in a foreign country and being robbed – it would kill my mood – I am amaze how you move on and not worry about it – you are amazing in your resilience
Eileen Ludwig recently posted..Ice Sculptures Shrek Puss in Boots Gaylord Palms Fun
Eileen, it certainly bothered me. But I had to just forgive myself for falling for a trick I already knew about and be happy that I didn’t lose anything important.
It would have been a shame to give it up after 1 day on my 1-year (now longer) sabbatical
The Travel Chica recently posted..Foto of the Week from … Buenos Aires
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