Darn...

So just as I was coming back to my hotel after sending that last email... I got robbed. Damn. I've now got a new phone and number: 65944311. Since you may be wondering what exactly hapened, and I've had to tell the story about a billion times (and I just found out there might be other versions going around), here's an email I sent to my fam:

I got my ass kicked yesterday, literally, and of course robbed too.

It all boils down to me not making the best decisions. I didn't want to pay $5 for another taxi that I wouldn't be reimbursed for, so I took a bus most of the way to my hostel (Luna's Castle) and then went to grab a taxi from there (Plaza Cinco de Mayo). (Mistake #1) I tried to get one just feet from where the bus dropped me off, but was told by a girl I needed to catch one in the main plaza. That was where I could see all the taxi's going by, so I went with her. We chatted on the short walk and she said she was headed the same way as me.

I was out of site and in Panama for the first time since Swear-In and still coming off my of high of having confianza with my whole community. I trusted her. (Mistake #2) Two of her girlfriends were with us in the cab. We headed in the general direction I needed to go, but not quite.

The cab stopped in a now dusk-lit street and the girls got out. I stayed put and told the cab that he was going to take me to my hostel. He disagreed and the girl told me she would walk me there. Now I was in a quandary... the cab driver was acting like a jerk and she was offering help. So (Mistake #3), I got out of the cab with her helping me out. I take one step as the cab drives off and BOOM!

I'm on the ground with about ten people around me kicking, hitting, and pulling hair. I did my best to hold on to my stuff and put up quite a good fight if I do say so myself, but I was obviously outnumbered... Damn. So they snatched my PacSafe purse (irony) with about $140, phone, ID's, and bank cards, and computer with all it's paraphernalia, about 300 printed pages for my Eco-English class and community analysis, and new meds tucked inside (more irony that I was only in the city for a med visit and come out more battered than before!). At least they didn't open my purse right there, as I also had my Leatherman in there. That could have been bad!

I chased after the dude with my computer, only making it about a block or two with no shoes and realizing that I could be making Mistake #4 if I continued. I swung into a random house with people in it and they took care of me. I was obviously frazzled and they got me water and eventually I sat and waited with them while other members of the family or friends went looking for my stuff. I had on my official Cuerpo de Paz shirt on that they took as a religious mission. One of the guys there was a Pastor, so I didn't correct them.

After I finished the water bottle, I asked for ice for my hands and other battered body parts. Then another offered me a bottle of clear liquid I took as more water. I had it about up to my lips before taking a wiff of the rubbing alcohol. Nope, that would not be good! I poured some on my hands and dabbed my side which stung like no other. They then got some Vic's Vapor Rub which they applied to all my scrapes. It had the effect of Icy-Hot, minus the hot. I don't know if it was exactly a pleasant sensation, but at least it gave my body something else to ponder.

When Peace Corps tells you to remember the phone number to the Duty Officer, sure, it doesn't seem so hard. But put yourself in a situation when you really need it and all I could remember was that it started with a 6. (Before you give me too much credit, all cell phones in Panama start with a 6!) Someone found my purse which had the metal part securing the strap bent out of line (allowing them to yank it from around my body). It was emptied of my phone, cash and credit cards but luckily still has my Purple ID (Foreign Ministry card from the Panamanian government), and my yellow card with all my emergency phone numbers.

I called the Duty Officer, with Greg the Assistant Director on that night, and filled him in on what happened before the phone cut out. Unfortunately the cell phone I borrowed had a private number so he couldn't call back as is protocol. That guy left the house, so I waited... I eventually borrowed another phone (which you can't talk, only text) and got connected with him by him calling yet another phone. It turned out I wasn't in Casco Viejo and was in another shady
area next door. Since the plan of me taking another taxi back to my hostel was happening at a snail's pace, the Embassy security (aka Marines) were alerted and sent to find me.

My hosts were much more concerned about trying to find my credit cards (and shoes) than I was. Oh, in fact, they found a pair of golden sandals they thought were mine and offered them. Nope, those are from one of the girls who jacked my stuff! I really wanted to keep them as perhaps a recuerdo, but when they found my real shoes, I opted for the later. Peter, the Director of Peace Corps Panama, gave me a call letting me know I was welcome to spend the night at his house and also filled me in on the Embassy involvement.

I stressed that I needed to get back to my hostel where Greg was waiting and they finally took me to the street. As I waited with the Pastor, another family member gave me my remaining credit cards I was missing. (I found out later they used my credit card twice at a gas station before the bank canceled it within that hour which makes me believe the taxi driver was in on it...) He decided we were going to walk to my hostel. I nixed that idea after following him for a block and a half. I was no going to walk around in this area, even with an escort. Cab after empty cab drove right past us until one finally stopped. I guess they don't like this area either! We were only a few blocks away from the hostel, but I was relieve to get inside. I had a 10 bill that was evidently too well hidden in my wallet for the thugs to find which I had to break inside and used to pay the cab and the pastor's return fare. $7 left in my pocket.

When I got inside, I asked where Greg was, and bought a beer in the meantime. I located him outside with a phone call and he gave me a big hug when he got up the stairs. He reiterated Peter's offer of his house, though with all the people around the hostel, I declined. He also let me know the plan that I would be filling out paperwork the following day and then need to stay in the city until Monday for more paperwork and processing. He asked if I had any questions, and my only one was if I could still meet up with my friends in the Azuero since I'd have nothing else to do on Sunday. He gave me the green light and said I could even take off late Saturday after paperwork. Yay!

After he left, I he called saying I'd be picked up at 10am by a guy from the Embassy to walk me through the paperwork. Maria Elena, our Security Coordinator, called asking me if I spoken with the Embassy personnel. I told her not directly but would be meeting with them the following morning. Oops, evidently they were still looking for me and everyone was worried. She said she's call Greg and figure everything else.

I spent the rest of the night storytelling with the backpackers and finally finishing my beer that had been waiting for me. I took a shower to clean up my hair and wash the dirt and gravel out of my scrapes. I tried turning in at around 11pm or midnight and excruciatingly made it up the ladder of my bunk bed. Damn, they really got me more than I realized. I didn't sleep much last night for lack of finding a comfortable position on my sore butt. I think I may very well have bruised my tailbone and strained my neck. Well, I didn't do it, but you get the point. hehe

So I was up for good by 5am and just have to wait until 10am. This hostel's got free pancake breakfast and unlimited coffee, so I'll pass the time nibbling since the jerks also stole my new reading book. I think I'll be able to find a new one in the little library here and will pick up a lot more in both the PC headquarters' library and our better one in Chiriqui. I'll be doing lots of reading without a computer or tv! Oye!!! I guess that's probably the worst off I am, and that's not too bad. hehe Peace Corps definitely has your back on these things and I might even be reimbursed for some of my losses!