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July 25, 2005
Safety in Quito
On Saturday Afternoon, I was robbed for the first time ever on the street in Quito near Parque El Ejido, a beautiful park that is filed with pedestrians sitting or playing Ecua-volley or futbol on weekends. I guess I had it coming--to have lived here six months out of the last year and not have been robbed was quite a feat. But what was so weird was the robbery itself. Right on the street too, in broad daylight, with lots of people around. Guess I stood out as the Gringo. Here's what happened: Some 18 year olds ran up behind me, reached violently into my right pocket enough to rip it, and ran off with $15.
By the time I realized what happened, they were a block away. A couple other people on the street told me to run after them, but all I could do was turn to my friend next to me and walk back and forth for a minute before walking up the street in the direction they ran. It was a hopeless pursuit, and I talked with some people further up the street, who said I should have shouted so they could have tripped the guys as they ran past. They were kind enough, offered my friend and I some water and beer to calm down my nerves and racing heart, and after talking with them for a few minutes about the streets of Quito and what they did, I walked toward a local park to sit and reflect while watching the old-Ecuadorian-men's version of Bocce Ball. After watching for half an hour, I still couldn't figure out the objectives or strategy to the game. Indeed, my mind was thoroughly distracted by the recent events.
In terms of a robbery, this was pretty tame. Luckily, I was not confronted with a weapon, and they didn't steal my bag filled with the jeans and jacket I just bought. Even better, they did not reach into my left pocket, which had my credit card and photocopy of my passport.
So all in all, it wasn't that bad, but I was so scared that when a little street kid came up behind me trying to sell me gum a few minutes later, she touched my leg and I jumped 3 feet backwards. I've been petitioned by street kids every day since I've been here, but I was completely scared, probably becasue this little girl also came up from behind me.
Wow, I am now scared of a 4 year old. Way to go Quito. You've made me feel so safe and secure.
Posted by Lee Gilman at July 25, 2005 12:57 PM
