So it happened...

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...I got robbed! We were 10 minutes from getting on the bus to Argentina where life is a bit more affordable and some professional thief stole my backpack, the important one, from right under Matt´s nose. I had run to the internet to try and find a hostel in Mendoza, our next stop, and left Matt with all the packs. It just happened so quickly. In the beginning of my travels I had been so careful and took all the correct precautions. But I let my guard down and started to carry my important stuff in my purse. Credit and debit cards (3), cash, passport, immigration card, immunization card, camera with lots of pictures, drivers license, prescription glasses, oakley sunglasses, ark teryx ski jacket, guide book, and most importantly my wine guide to the area!!! That is just to mention the more important items...So pissed off!!!!! THe police were very nice about the situation but there was little they could do. I filed a claim and am hoping that my travel insurance will at least reimburse me for the camera and possibly for the $100 passport fee. The embassy was wonderful, I only had to find a place to get passport photos (conveniently located across the street from the police station) and by 1 PM I had a temporary passport in my hand. Now I have to get a new immigration card which can´t happen until Monday. I tried to cancel the credit-debit cards but I didn´t do it quite fast enough, they got the chance to charge my credit card and use my debit card. I am trying to see if there is any way my bank will review the charges and take them off...All said and done it is going to be about a $1000 lesson! And right when we needed to get out of Chile because it is not cheap to travel here!!! I think we will head to Mendoza, Argentina on Monday and try our luck there for a week or two before we head north into Bolivia. But we are healthy and happy and have meet some really nice and helpful Chileans because of the experience! Life is good!

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