Safety on the road
Dec. 8th, 2003 02:16 pmCentral America, while positively attractive, is nowhere near as safe as Asia. Countless warnings in the guidebooks, in guesthouses and on-line tell the same sad story of thefts and robberies. First, i was inclined to dismiss it as the usual chicken-shit-US-would-be-traveler bullshit. However, during the 2,5 months i've spent here my backpack, kept in the back of a bus while traveling, was opened twice. After the first time i started locking it with a cable, so the second thief unzipped the upper pocket and then cut through the internal lid. I'm not so stupid as to keep any valuables in the backpack, of course, but it does indicate the present danger. Yesterday, a couple staying in the same hostel with me was assaulted right on the central square - three young rogues gave the guy in the face, pulled his T-shirt over his head and tried to take his wallet out of his pocket. He managed to grab it and hold on to it, but both he and the girl (which had no money with her anyway) got quite a few bruises.
Therefore, i've decided to stop being cautious - and become paranoid. Ah, and i'll sharpen the machete i bought for my collection - just in case...
Therefore, i've decided to stop being cautious - and become paranoid. Ah, and i'll sharpen the machete i bought for my collection - just in case...