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Published: September 10th 2008
You might be wondering about the distinct lack of photographs in this blog. Well, our camera was swiped. And on our first day too! James and I are fairly seasoned travellers, having backpacked previously in places like Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, Tanzania and Rwanda. never before have we had anything stolen abroad. So you could say we were due.
Kick number one: I put my bag on the arm of a chair in a cafe. (In my defense, the chair was right up against a wall, it was never left unattended and James sat opposite me.)
Enter the two cunning thieves, a man and a woman. They stood behind me looking at the menu.
Kick number two: I felt something brush up against my shoulder and I didn't look around. (Again in my defense, I thought it was the woman's bottom beacuse she was 'generously sized'.)
Exit the two cunning thieves. I distinctly remember the woman because - like every other Cuban woman in Havana - her clothes were at least two sizes too small for her. Then I clocked the bag was gone, James ran outside but they had disappeared into the small streets of Old Havana. I felt like throwing up, a dull empty feeling in the depths of my stomach.
Another kick for myself for good measure!
A policeman was on the corner and I told him in my best Spanish what happened. He got onto his radio and in seconds four more policemen were with us. I made a report which took HOURS, but James and I got to have a ride in a police car (an ancient Lada) and see the inside of a Cuban police station which was an old colonial fort near the harbour. The PC monitors had Fidel Castro wallpaper - nice touch! I was really impressed with the police, they took it very seriously and couldn't have been more thorough. (Later we learned that stealing from a tourist is punishable by five years in jail.) We even had to return to the cafe for a re-enactment, I felt like I was on Crimewatch!
It could have been much much worse. We were smart enough (*fellow travellers take note*) NOT to be carrying our passports, Cuban visas, credit cards or mobile phone. Our room key and hard cash was in our pockets.
Apart from the camera, the cunning pair only got away with a guidebook to Havana. I'm sure they could tell the Lonely Planet a thing or two.
From Jess
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Ellen Conry
non-member comment
Glad too hear all is still well and you haven't been swept away in a hurricane. Sorry to hear about the camera but it could have been a lot worse. Good too see the police take things seriously. If you're camera was robbed here you won't bother going to the Garda for all the good it would do you. Rachel thinks your both very brave going into peoples houses that you don't know!!! I'm telling her thats part of the adventure. Take Care.