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I had to face a traveller's lesson: it always happens when you don't expect it to happen!

One Year Africa: Being pick pocketed in Dessie

Maarten de Boeck
2006-05-01 17:20:47

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Late in the evening I returned from dinner. There were still a lot of people in the street. I was not keen on what could happen.

A guy bumped into me, seemingly accidentally. Quickly he grasped my hand to apologize. I nodded it was okay, but for a few moments he kept gripping my hand. Annoyed I pulled it back and proceeded my way. A few seconds later I realized what had happened. I grabbed with my hand to the left pocket of my shirt. Everything but one note had gone. His companion had taken it while the boy was distracting me. I turned around but realized they had vanished. In disbelief I raised my hands to my head. I couldn't believe it. They had stolen my money out of the pocket of my shirt. I didn't know for sure if I had closed the button of that pocket, something that I normally always do, but I believe that time it was no different.

Later I realized they exactly knew in which pocket my money was to be found. That day on arrival I went into a shop to buy a piece of soap. While paying I was confronted with a man demanding money. He was stoned and impolite. Of course I refused. He aggressively snatched at my money, but I pushed him away. He yelled at me while I walked away. I suspected that man of giving those boys instructions about where my money was to be found. He had seen in which pocket I had put it after I had bought the piece of soap.

Fortunately it was a small amount. But the fact it had happened, the fact they had succeeded made me feel bad for a couple of days. I was angry with myself because I hadn't been keen enough to avoid it. I had to face a traveller's lesson: it always happens when you don't expect it to happen!