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Published: July 21st 2012
I was not sure that I was going to post about today on my blog, but I think that for the sake of full disclosure, I really need to. In Arusha there is a bridge that is rather infamous. We lovingly call it the Bridge of Death. People are regularly mugged there when muggers grab them off the bridge and drag them off into the woods. Sometimes the attacks are very agressive and violent and people have been seriously injured, but sometimes people's bags are just snatched and the thieves run off into the woods.
Lucky for me, I was targeted by the snatch and grab type and not the drag and stab type. I am overly cautious and followed all the right safety measures, but I made the choice to walk alone in the middle of the day across the bridge. I walk this way almost every day since it is the only way from my house to my job, but I usually have a friend with me. After crossing the bridge, two young guys (probably 17 or 18) ran up behind me and tried to grab my purse. They missed and instead grabbed my hip, prompting me to turn, charge them, and yell loudly in english that they better back off. Surprisingly, they did. Both of them looked at each other and then ran into the woods.
In the long run maybe this was good. It was a reminder that no matter how much I love it here, no matter how hard I try to be kind and appreciative to the many wonderful locals that I meet, and no matter how diligently I try to be vigilant while I am here, I will always be a mzungu. I am a target because I am not local and since I am white and from America, it is assumed that I am rich. Little do those idiot muggers know that my purse had the equivilent of $0.75 in it and nothing of value unless you count my empty sunglass case valuable!
Anyhow, I am fine. Shaken and pissed, but ok and counting down the days to my return home. At least there I know that if I get mugged, I can rest assured that my mugger will probably understand my hysterical shouting!
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Kelley
non-member comment
Glad
Glad that you are ok!