Senior citizen shows us how it’s done
Posted February 24th, 2007 by Kevin AllgoodI was scanning headlines yesterday and I came across this one: “Tourist kills mugger with bare hands”. Basically what happened was a group of American tourists (senior citizens, mind you!) booked a day trip as a separate excursion from their Carnival Cruise, which stopped for the day in Limon, Costa Rica. While out they were attacked by three armed assailants, one with a gun, the others brandishing knives. One member of the group was ex-military, and managed to put one of the attackers in a headlock. He broke his clavicle and eventually killed him with his bare hands, causing the others to flee.
The group was let back on their cruise ship and allowed to sail away. Costa Rican authorities are not planning to press charges, citing that they had a right to defend themselves.
We pay attention to these kinds of stories, because you never know what could happen to you while traveling. Fortunately on this trip the only inconveniences we’ve faced have been con artists and bad businessmen trying to separate us from our cash, not muggers armed with deadly weapons.
I was mugged once while in Amsterdam a few years ago with some friends. We were walking down the street in a busy part of town, strung out in a line. A man confronted me, since I was at the end of the line, and started asking for money. He said he had just gotten out of prison, and told me to give him a Euro. I said sorry, I didn’t have anthing on me. At that point he got this crazed look in his eye, leaned in close and said, “Give me a #$%@ing Euro before I $@%*ing stab you.” My friends hadn’t noticed I was stopped yet. I put my hands up slowly, feeling like I was about to crap my pants, and reached into my pocket, feeling around and trying to identify 1 Euro by touch. I produced 50 cents by mistake. “That’s only 50 $#%ing cents!” he yelled. I quickly reached in and grabbed another coin, this time 1 Euro. I gave it to him and he vanished. When I looked up my friends thought I had just given some money to a beggar, and were giving me a hard time until I told them he had threatened to stab me. Way to end the fun, let me tell you.
Anyone else been robbed, violently or otherwise, during their travels? Post a comment.
Matty J was mugged in Cambodia or Laos. Wouldn’t you mug Matty J though? I’d do it just to see him try to scurry away at top speed in Tevas.
February 26th, 2007 | #
I live in Costa Rica, and like all countries, there is violent crime in certain areas. I have been here for 9 months and have never felt unsafe, even alone at night. A few words of advice for fellow travelers. First off, be knowledgable of where you are traveling. Limon is known as a dangerous city in Costa Rica. Although this story is scary because the tourists were on a bus and could not prevent the muggers, I am thankful it turned out okay for them. Secondly, be smart. If you do have to walk or travel alone, be cautious of your surroundings at all times. Walk fast, and do not stop to talk to anyone. Try to blend. Also, be cautious of carrying valuables, like cameras, MP3 players, and the like. Gringos stand out as tourists, whether you live somewhere or not, you will always be considered a tourist to a mugger.
I have a good friend here that was mugged 3 times in 10 days. He is bilingual and it has not happened since, it was mere coincidence. If someone mugs you, don´t try to fight, it will only cause more harm, especially if they are in a group.
Also, people try to scam you. Like if you are on a bus and you are about to get off, be weary of people (men and women, young and old) trying to stop you to help them with something (a missing glasses lense for example) because there will be people digging through your bags and pockets as you are trying to assist.
Keep your bags in sight on a bus, and try to hold them in front of you at all times. Don´t be scared to travel in Costa Rica, or any Central American country for that matter, just travel smart.
February 27th, 2007 | #
Nice anecdote Chocobuns. I’ll try to pass it along!
Lindsay - thanks for the info! All good tips. We are a little bit nervous traveling to some places with so much gear, but that doesn’t mean we plan to avoid them. We are just always aware of our surroundings, and take extra precautions when it comes to security. Hope you’re enjoying yourself down there, and hopefully we’ll be able to link up when we get to that part of the world.
February 28th, 2007 | #