Foreign Country Mugger: A NIGHTMARE I WILL NEVER FORGET

Have you ever experienced the terror of a mugging while traveling in a foreign country? It's a scenario even the most cautious travelers fear. In this story, I recount a personal experience from my trip to Italy, where I witnessed a tragic and harrowing incident.

A TRIP TO REMEMBER: A DAY THAT STARTLED

At the height of my travels, I experienced a mugging right in front of me. Our journey would never be the same. My traveling companion and I were walking up the street from our car to the hotel when this unfortunate event unfolded. We were following a route where the hustle and bustle of the Italian streets would surprise us with unexpected occurrences.

THE RAMPOWSK JUGGLING A BAG AND A CONVERSATION

My traveling companion, Ramposk, was deep in conversation with a gentleman we had met earlier. She was walking ahead of me, her shoulder bag hanging loosely from her arm, so engrossed in discussion that she didn't notice danger creeping up on her. I was 10 feet behind her, moving along at a normal pace, while also trying to carry the weight of my shoulder bag in a crossbody position for comfort.

A SUDDEN ATTACK

Out from a side alley emerged two men on a Vespa, a classic Italian scooter. They charged right between me, my friend, and the street. The Vespa veered to the side, veering ever so close to Ramposk. In a split second, one of the riders leaped from the Vespa and snatched her shoulder bag. He did not stop; he rode away as if nothing had happened, leaving my friend in shock and distress.

NIGHTMARE AT EMBASSY

The next 24 hours were a living nightmare. After the initial attack, we had to navigate through a bureaucratic maze filled with red tape. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of our ordeal.

THE CHALLENGE OF REPORTING TO THE POLICE

Our first attempt to file a report to the Italian police was met with frustration. Initially, we were told to leave by the first station we approached, which was not a welcome start to our process. We decided to keep trying and made three more calls to stations, each with its own set of complications. Finally, a police car was dispatched to us, but they were more interested in questioning my friend than assisting us.

A TURTLE-LIKE POLICE STATION

After traveling with a police car to the station, we were told to wait for someone to take our statement. It took some time to get into the station where the process was exceedingly cumbersome. My friend's statement had to be typed up three times, each time from scratch. Meanwhile, I, who was in urgent need of a bathroom, was sent on a wild goose chase by an officer who could not provide directions to the ladies' room.

BANGUAGE BARRICADES AND LOST DOCUMENTATION

During one particularly frustrating moment, my friend asked where the women's bathroom was, but the officer could not understand. She was directed to a men's bathroom, which was in use, making the situation even more trying. After finally being escorted back to the station, my friend's belongings, which included all of her valuables, were left in a public and disorganized environment.

US EMBASSY NIGHTMARE

The process at the US Embassy was no less daunting. Even pre-9/11, security measures were in place, and my friend and I had to remove our jewelry and leave our camera at the front desk. Once inside, we were met with confusion and a lack of clear signage. We ended up waiting in a bustling lobby for an hour before reaching the correct office for replacing her passport. My friend had to provide new photos and pay for the new passport immediately, despite the circumstances.

THE ENDLESS BUREAUCRACY

The process of getting her new passport was frustrating, to say the least. We were waiting for about three hours when a staff member yelled at my friend for not understanding the paperwork process. The staff's behavior and the inefficiency in the embassy procedures left us feeling helpless and frazzled.

CLOSING TIME PIPELINE

By the time we realized the exact processing time, it was well past closing hour. My friend, still devastated, went back to the staff person to inquire about the status of her passport application. The staff member's response was harsh, completely different from the promises made earlier. We left the embassy with a sense of relief that the ordeal was finally over, but also with a deep sense of frustration.

LASTING EFFECTS AND RECOVERY

Once we left the embassy, we had to deal with the aftermath. We rushed to the local American Express office to cancel the stolen cards and start calling the credit card companies to inform them of the situation. Despite the cancellation, charges continued to appear on her card statements, adding to the stress and financial strain of the situation.

Conclusion
Whatever the country, a mugging is a traumatic experience, especially in a foreign land. It underscores the importance of being proactive and prepared for such incidents. Lessons learned and preventative measures are critical to ensure a safer travel experience in the future.