An unfortunate twist
Buenos Aires
12.02.2011 - 14.02.2011
24 °C
Today I sit in front of the Malaysian Embassy here in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It has only been 2 days since then incident but it feels like I’ve gone through an excruciating whirlwind of an experience. The value of my bag which was cleverly traded off me and its contents is more than what I had lost in the sharemarket in May 2010. But just like back then of what seem to be a bitter pill to swallow, God had shown me a new revelation of His providence to make this trip possible. I now choose to fall on His promises that He will never leave me nor forsake me but for the sake of accountability, I am going to narrate on what happened.
It was a Saturday afternoon on the 12th of February 2011 on the relatively quiet Avenida de San Juan in San Telmo, I was on my way to Alan’s house with my big backpack on the back and a small day pack on the front. Daniel was with me. While walking I felt like some bird poo had fell on me. A man in his late 30s then approached us offering to help me clean off the paint-like concoction that I thought was bird poo. He got me to remove my day pack so he could clean the ‘spill’ on my shoulders. At that point I had bief eye contact with Daniel signalling him to keep an eye out for my bag. The man, realising that, then squirted some ‘paint’ onto Daniel’s pack and got me to clean it up, passing me the tissue. He cleverly coerced Daniel to move in front of me so we were both facing away from my day pack. That was when my daypack was swapped with a similar looking one by an accomplice. When Daniel asked if the daypack leaning against the wall on the sidewalk where I had originally placed my daypack was mine only did I realize what had happened. By the time, we turned around to look for the man no one was in sight anymore. Daniel mentioned that he saw a woman entering a white car which drove off in the split second we momentarily distracted. The whole incident took place within a minute with the dexterity of an illusionist. I was left without my passport, my camera, sunglasses, and all my money. It was foolish of me to put all my eggs in one basket, and even more stupid to have let go my daypack.
But I know God is good and he is faithful. At least we were not harmed or robbed at gunpoint. There was Alan who has been such a lifesaver offering a roof over our heads and helping us out in whatever way he can, including making a police report. At least I still have all my clothes and essentials with me. Thank God for parents who worry so much for us. At Daniel has enough money for us to survive the next month or so. If not for Daniel with me, I would only had have enough money to last me one meal.
It’s 9.10am now. Another 20 minutes before the consulate opens. I’m praying hard that I can get my passport matters sorted out so that I can catch a flight at 1pm. Only divine intervention can pull me out from this mess.
Posted by jtiew 14.02.2011 08:51 Archived in Argentina Tagged buenosaires
![With our teacher Guadalupe showing us the best [i]Alfagor[/i]](http://photos.travellerspoint.com/358132/square_IMG_3494.jpg)
May all things be fine. =) all the very best
15.02.2011 by Grace