I have visited 68 countries, and I have been mugged or robbed in 8 or 9.
The worst have been in the EEUU. Do not ever think you travel in a country more dangerous than your own. And yes, I am pretty careful, but apparently not careful enough.
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I have visited 68 countries, and I have been mugged or robbed in 8 or 9.
The worst have been in the EEUU. Do not ever think you travel in a country more dangerous than your own. And yes, I am pretty careful, but apparently not careful enough.
This time thieves went to the apartment using a tree as a latter.
[url]http://www.larazon.com/notas/2007/01/15/01345549.html[/url]
Again in Recoleta.
Saludos to all who share. Especially to WW for the following:
"At an outdoor table at any restaurant, don't leave your phone or any other valuables (camera, pocketbook, etc) in plain sight or within reach of the walking public, on the sidewalk. Late at night, stick to the busier streets, when alone walk near other folks (that don't appear to be mugging people) Also, when you leave a place like Armani or a nice hotel, pay attention to those around you and in particular any suspicious looking muthers who are looking at you.
As a back up plan, if I were to be dispossessed of the belongings carried in my pockets, I always leave my passport, a credit card or two, an extra phone and some cash in the safe at my hotel. Make a hi-res scan of your passport (and a photocopy to take with you) and email it to yourself at an email address you can access from any internet-connected PC, in case you need a copy of it."
I couldn't have said it better myself. Let me add that I never carry more than 300 pesos if possible, I split my money up into different pockets and press handkerchiefs on top to slow down anyone trying to snatch it. I carry a small case with my driver's license, paper copies of passport title page and the visa page (you have to make copies on a diminished size - I believe mine are at 50%) cut them out with scissors and re-copy to get on one page. Then I scanned it and emailed the compact doc page -front and back- to myself at several different email accounts. I NEVER carry a wallet.
A word about situational awareness. I have been traveling internationally for over 20 years without a serious incident. I do not know if my awareness of a bald, heavyset but fit guy in his 40s that was stalking us was due to having a 20 year habit of looking behind me frequently, but the fact my wife and I had just came out of a money changer may have heightened my awareness.
There were too many people on the MarDel peatonal to take careful note, but 4 - 6 blocks further, I stopped on the street corner while awaiting a chance to cross, I did a 360 degree circle and noticed - among others - this bald guy about 1.5 blocks away who was looking intently in our direction. 3-4 blocks further, and he was 1 block away. We made a quick detour, and, sure enough, he was still there and still intently looking at us. I should mention that I am obviously not a native, tho my wife is.
After 1.5 miles of this, I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and stared intently at him. He finally gave me a little wave and took off.
To this day, I am certain that he was either planning to make a broad daylight snatch and grab, or was planning to follow us home to catch us later or rob the place when we were gone.
Keep those cards and letters coming in.
Nothing like situational awareness, in BA or elsewhere. The best diversion was the gypsy in Rome who lifted her blouse to reveal her breasts while a kid went for the scoop. Number two was the "what time is it" on the Subte (answer time to get pickpocketed say it VERY loud to attract attention)
Also it is always good to be reminded about using the room safe for passport etc.
The only other tip that I can offer is to carry a decoy wallet. The one you were going to throw away after you bought the new carpincho one on calle Florida. Put some slips of paper in it so that it has some thickness then feel free to leave it in your back pocket. Like flies to meadow muffins the thieves will go for the easy "money". By the time they figure it out you too are long gone.
Like Sgt Esterhazy said on Hill Street Blues "Be careful out there".
Well friends, things have got a little sketchy on Doggboy's street in San Telmo. Recently, a number of young to middle aged drunks, drug addicts and general neer do well assholes began hanging out on my street. Previously, my street had been the preferred location for daytime dope smokers and some casual beer drinking. It is a cobblestone street with no colectivos and very little car traffic. Quiet, with not much cop presence, except up and around the corner. Over the past 3-4 weeks the drunks have been increasing, with heavy duty daytime drinking and public displays of afternoon barfing for your viewing pleasure. Late last week, late at night, Doggboy rolls home with a slight buzz and near my doorstep I get into a verbal altercation with some mega drunk young asshole with very few teeth and a large beer bottle in his hand. A mexican standoff ensued, he with his bottle and yours truly with an illegal knife. Better sense prevailed, on my part, and I skedaddled into my apartment. No sense putting my personal safety at further risk, plus if the drunk were to get hurt, I would be at fault with my illegal blade and tourist visa.
The upshot-my street has become a free fire zone, and this afternoon when I went downstairs to pick up my delivered DHL package, there are two cop cars directly across the street, and a covered up with a blanket dead guy. This street has gone to hell in a nanosecond and Doggboy will be relocating to swank Recoleta Feb. 1.:)
I always told you so Dogg, San Telmo is dangerous and I've never liked it.
Exon
[QUOTE=Exon123]I always told you so Dogg, San Telmo is dangerous and I've never liked it.
Exon[/QUOTE]I agree, pretty to look at but not a nice place after dark.
I was at the antique fair in Plaza Dorrego with some Argentine friends one Sunday. We nosed around the fair a little then went to a little cafe for coffee / drinks. In the middle of the conversation Tommy looked outside and said "Fuck man, we have to go." He didn't wait a second, reached in his pocket threw some pesos on the table, everybody else looked outside and without a word got up and started heading for the door. This from a group of people that usually take about an hour to discuss when they might start thinking about leaving a restaurant.
I grabbed my coat and headed out with them thinking I would see an army of picateros outside or something but nope there was nothing, just the sunset. I asked Tommy "whats up" and he said "Man you don't want to be here when the lights come on." They were genuinely frightened. I just always assumed vampires came out of the sewer or something.
So Dogg, get thee to a nunnery in Recoletta!
[QUOTE=Exon123]I always told you so Dogg, San Telmo is dangerous and I've never liked it.
Exon[/QUOTE]I still think danger in San Telmo is overrated. As for my move to Recoleta, that has been in the works for awhile. I wouldn't want an aberration on my street to sway someone from visiting, or living, in San Telmo. Remember, I have lived here nearly a year and a half without incident until the other night. Daddy-those people you were with were / are pussies!
President Bush's daughter Jena had her purse stolen there also.
So it can't be safe.
Exon
[QUOTE=Exon123]President Bush's daughter Jena had her purse stolen there also.
So it can't be safe.
Exon[/QUOTE]Another good thing about San Telmo.;)
[QUOTE=Doggboy]I still think danger in San Telmo is overrated. Remember, I have lived here nearly a year and a half without incident until the other night. Daddy-those people you were with were / are pussies![/QUOTE]Lotsa places have corpses laying in the street. I've heard a lot about the corpse counting competitions they have in Palermo. Little kids ride their bikes down Santa Fe counting corpses, whoever spots the most gets a lollypop. Crimanitleys Dogg, yes some of them were pussies and others of them had pussies, it didn't make them wrong. I will bow to the point that you have much greater experience in the barrio than I though.
[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz]Lotsa places have corpses laying in the street. I've heard a lot about the corpse counting competitions they have in Palermo. Little kids ride their bikes down Santa Fe counting corpses, whoever spots the most gets a lollypop.[/QUOTE]LOL. Well, they got the body outta here before it started stinkin'. Which is more than I can say for the dead dog a few weeks ago at the 152 stop on Paseo Colon near La Boca.
The policia are worthless. The last thing they want is to be involved in a real crime.
Where is Dirty Harry when we need him? Not in Argentina, that I can guarantee you.
I just can't take this shit anymore boys!
I come from the land where we have the right to carry a concealed weapon and we have the right to use the damn thing!
That would be The Great State of Texas!
So I have decided to take this matter into my own hands.
I am going to go out at night and personally reduce the crime rate.
I am going to walk around Constitucion with (3) rolexes on my wrist while wearing a cowboy hat, listening to a walkman and talking on an I-phone!
Throw in some gold chains around my neck and a few diamond rings.
When the little MOTHERFUCKERS walk up to me I'm going to pull a ¨Death Wish ¨remake on their goddamn Indian asses!
Charles Bronson or Dirty Harry times 10!
I would like to do this every night in various neighborhoods. Kill at least (1) per night.
Sure sounds like a plan to me.
Kind of makes me a little home-sick!
I may use a samurai sword for a quick and silent effect but I want the scumbags to die a long and painful death!
I'd rather use my Desert Eagle 50. A true hand-cannon!
I could even take special requests and clean-up specific neighborhods.
So now all I need is a partner.
Anybody want to be Robin?
How's about it Aqualung?
Have gun will travel!
Vigilantes to go?
I AM BATMAN!
[QUOTE=El Alamo]The policia are worthless. The last thing they want is to be involved in a real crime.
Where is Dirty Harry when we need him? Not in Argentina, that I can guarantee you.[/QUOTE]
Some many deserving ass fucks, yet so few bullets.
I was walking back from El Alamo a little while ago, and on Uruguay and Rivadavia a guy who looked Dutch and a girl who looked Asian came running towards me, asking me for help, he said that they just got robed of everything the had with them. I ask them what kind of weapons where used, they guy told me knifes. The girl thinks there was a gun, but I think the guy was more calm, so I guess it was knifes. I pulled out my cell phone and called 911. I told the police that we where at Av de Mayo and Santiago de Estero. Then I told the couple we better go there, since it's better to wait in front of a restaurant that is open 24 hours with people, then in the dark street alone.
I've heard bad things about the police here. I was surprised, 2 police cars came within 5 minutes. That's a reasonable response time anywhere. This is the first time I've called the police in Argentina, so I don't know if this is normal or they just happen to come fast this time.
That would be a waste of fine ammo. Those bullets are EXPENSIVE. The only way it would make sense to use your desert eagle would be to be able to line up about 5 of the little fuckers in a row before you spend $5 on a bullet:) At least that way you are getting your money's worth. Anyway, I had one and it was a complete pain in the ass. It was not that accurate (the recoil was HUGE) On the bright side even if you did not hit anything the mighty roar and two feet of flame spitting out the huge barrel would scare the crap outta half of the Congresso! Much better to have a nice pair of Walter PP's and a bunch of spare clips in your belt. Suppressed of course so you could go about you business in a responsible manner:)
I actually live here at 1523 Rivadavia. That intersection is 100 metres from my place. It is dark and at night I am not so stupid as to walk there - even with a walther. I have my mother and father in law here with me as I write this and will pass on the robbery to them tho' because it is in my immediate back yard. I suspect it was some of the street crud I see living in the Congresso Park full time or some of the country low lifes from the tenements on Rivadavia around Uruguay. In the daytime there is no problem at all but at night one has to be careful all over BsAs and I think in the neighbourhood especially.
Always fly with a wingman:)
Is only about four or five blocks from where that mugging occurred so it is no surprise the cops came quick. What time of night was it?
About 3:30 am
[QUOTE=TejanoLibre]I just can't take this shit anymore boys!
I come from the land where we have the right to carry a concealed weapon and we have the right to use the damn thing!
That would be The Great State of Texas!
So I have decided to take this matter into my own hands.
I am going to go out at night and personally reduce the crime rate.
I am going to walk around Constitucion with (3) rolexes on my wrist while wearing a cowboy hat, listening to a walkman and talking on an I-phone!
Throw in some gold chains around my neck and a few diamond rings.
When the little MOTHERFUCKERS walk up to me I'm going to pull a ¨Death Wish ¨remake on their goddamn Indian asses!
Charles Bronson or Dirty Harry times 10!
I would like to do this every night in various neighborhoods. Kill at least (1) per night.
Sure sounds like a plan to me.
Kind of makes me a little home-sick!
I may use a samurai sword for a quick and silent effect but I want the scumbags to die a long and painful death!
I'd rather use my Desert Eagle 50. A true hand-cannon!
I could even take special requests and clean-up specific neighborhods.
So now all I need is a partner.
Anybody want to be Robin?
How's about it Aqualung?
Have gun will travel!
Vigilantes to go?
I AM BATMAN![/QUOTE]O. K boys here we go. Today I found a great gun store that will sell me brand new pistols without a single piece of I. D!
WOW!
Done deal!
They are.44 caliber 6 shooters. Remington's or Colt's. Your choice.
Very nice build quality.
Blued, stainless or brass / bronze?
Now I just need a holster!
They are classified as non-weapons but they will blow a huge hole in some little cocksucker!
Non-guns or non-weapons?
Let's ask AQUALUNG. He know's everything.
These are Itallian manufactured working replicas of the old west classics.
Black powder shooters.
I have used them in Texas since the seventies and they will do the job.
Questions for Aqualung:
1. What is the law on these for self-defense?
2. Can I carry them on my hips. Exposed and loaded?
3. Are the ¨balls ¨ traceable when fired?
Let's go shooting boys!
We can shoot ¨cans ¨. Dominicans, Puertoricans, Peruvicans, Bolivicans and my favorite scum.
The fabled Argentineus Domesticus!
Are you ready for some target practice?
And no jokes please. Although they are of Italian manufacture I can assure you that they will not blow-up in your face if you load them correctly!
They are weapons but they are not guns. How odd!
GO CARDS!
Shit. My teacher lives on near that corner.
I was going to her place three times a week.
[QUOTE=Tmontana]That would be a waste of fine ammo. Those bullets are EXPENSIVE. The only way it would make sense to use your desert eagle would be to be able to line up about 5 of the little fuckers in a row before you spend $5 on a bullet:) At least that way you are getting your money's worth. Anyway, I had one and it was a complete pain in the ass. It was not that accurate (the recoil was HUGE) On the bright side even if you did not hit anything the mighty roar and two feet of flame spitting out the huge barrel would scare the crap outta half of the Congresso! Much better to have a nice pair of Walter PP's and a bunch of spare clips in your belt. Suppressed of course so you could go about you business in a responsible manner:)
I actually live here at 1523 Rivadavia. That intersection is 100 metres from my place. It is dark and at night I am not so stupid as to walk there - even with a walther. I have my mother and father in law here with me as I write this and will pass on the robbery to them tho' because it is in my immediate back yard. I suspect it was some of the street crud I see living in the Congresso Park full time or some of the country low lifes from the tenements on Rivadavia around Uruguay. In the daytime there is no problem at all but at night one has to be careful all over BsAs and I think in the neighbourhood especially.
Always fly with a wingman:)[/QUOTE]
We can also shoot Mexi ¨cans ¨!
Come on Aqualung. What is the law concerning these toys?
TL
Drop yer pistola and the next thing you know they would also be shooting *gulp* AMERI-CANS:)
Honestly - 3:30 am. I am not surprised. I like this area but. At night I take NO chances. I noticed today there is a police station on Rivadavia only maybe 100 meters away from that intersection heading towards Avenide de Julio. I don't walk it at night because the street is all fucked up with sidewalks repairs so I walk the Ave de Mayo instead.
I would rather have a quiet little Ruger 22 head plinker than a black powder / cap gun.
Tejano - I think the flame coming from a black powder gun would scare the shit outta anyone at night here without the bullets even:) and probably just as loud almost as a Desert Eagle too:0
"if it looks like fun someone is bound to try to make it illegal"