It was until last night that I found myself getting comfortable around here. The people are nice, they smile, just mostly curious as to why we are here. We’ve been traveling around the world for over 4 months now and for the most part, I’ve felt safe. There was plenty of talk in the beginning about not going anywhere without a guy and to never go anywhere alone. It didn’t take long to justify reasons why those rules could be ignored. Ministry has called for many times where a guy couldn’t accompany us or I would have to walk somewhere alone. Up until last night, that seemed to be fine with me. I felt safe…
Last night, I was heading out with Tara S. and Sarah to meet some other people from the squad. We needed to take a tuk-tuk, so we walked out of the YWAM base, just about 100 yards, to get to where we normally get a ride. Although this area is covered in trash and many homeless people live there, I had walked through with others many times and never felt threatened in anyway. This is the route we take to get to the guesthouse another team is staying at (literally, only 300 yards from our place). It was about 8:30pm and many people were out on the street. The area was well lit. I even noticed a security guard at the corner.
As we approached the tuk-tuk driver, I remember an extra 2 or 3 people coming over to see what we were doing. It is not unusual for more people to crowd around us when we are getting a tuk-tuk, as it seems that they are just trying to help translate. We were about a minute into looking at the map with the driver, when a young man, around the age 25, clean-cut, came up behind me and attempted to steal my purse. I had it around my shoulder, with my hand held tightly to the bag. So, when he ripped the bag from the handle, all he got was the handle.
I turned around, furious, not completely aware of what was happening. He just stood there. Resisting the temptation to nail him in the face, I took a step back when he tried to put his hand out and apologize. It was unreal, I couldn’t believe he was still standing there after his attempt had failed. I looked at him like he was crazy and kept my hands away. The other two girls were right next to me, still trying to understand what was going on. Meanwhile, there are still plenty of people on the street and even some around us who witnessed what happened and did nothing. Vulnerability set in.
Within a few more seconds, the man had rebuked his “apology” or his second attempt to get my purse by ripping away at Sarah’s purse who was right next to me. This time, he won. He ripped it right from the handle, which crossed her body, and he took off. As he took off down the road, no one did anything. Tara and I instinctively ran after him for a few seconds, yelling to the people down the road to stop him. No one moved. Everyone just stood around, probably happy that he was getting away or just didn’t care.
I’ve never felt so vulnerable in my life. We stood there, pretty confused and trying to figure out the safest way to get home. We walked Sarah back to her hotel and thanked God for our lives. We thanked God for His protection, we were not hurt. She lost money, credit cards and a driver’s license. Passport, safe. She had taken it out in her room minutes before we left. Tara and I left, walking back through the area we had just been, clutching our purses tightly and walking fast to get back to our place. We arrived back quickly, thankful to be safe.
Overall, the sense of insecurity and vulnerability set in as the night went on. I replayed what had happened several times in my head. I also played out what could’ve happened, had we tried to fight back or if we kept running after him. It’s the thought of no one wanting to help that is the scariest. It had completely taken away any feelings I once had of security, comfort or trust. This man knew exactly what he was doing, it wasn’t his first rodeo for sure. These people are tactful and know how to get what they want.
I hope this will raise awareness to other racers!
FYI for Racers, esp. Women –
– Make sure that the band to your purses are secure. No metal connectors or thin handles. They can easily rip them right off, even if they are secure around your body.
– Do NOT walk anywhere alone at night.
– Walk with a man whenever possible.
– Leave wallets in your room, just carry the cash you need. No need to carry driver’s licenses or passports, unless on travel days.
