 Pickpocketed in Peru
story and photos by William Jans |
| * William Jans is an experienced Third World traveller who takes safety precautions that usually work. But not all the time. |
| After my earlier story about "Swimmer Beware" (caveat natator), we now turn to a story titled Caveat viator (traveller beware). |
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I think everyone has a travel tale that involves something being "appropriated" or stolen, and I am no different. I guess in the grand scale of things I have been pretty lucky. I have had underwear and socks taken from the roof of a bus in Nepal (why they didn’t go for the real valuables still perplexes me), a shirt taken in Vietnam and a couple other small things that went missing. |
| The freakiest, and potentially worst, was a recent incident in Peru. I was there for a religious festival, where a black effigy of Christ is carried through the packed streets. On some streets, crowds are literally wall to wall. |
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As I travel to take photos, I'll usually get into the thick of things to get the shots I need (check out the photo of the band with music sheets clipped to their backs). But I try to be safe, with preventative measures such as placing my backpack on my chest.
Well, despite these precautions, I was pick-pocketed in Cusco, Peru and was being set up by a team of pros to get ALL of my camera gear by cutting my pack off my back. |
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Yep, a knife was drawn. But thanks to a wee bit of fate and a kind local gentleman named Emilio - who foiled the crime by simply acknowledging he knew what was going on - I avoided the robbery.
The weirdest part is that, against great odds, I have the incident on film. I didn't even know I had actually filmed myself getting robbed until months into the editing process. I still get butterflies when I see images of me getting pick- pocketed on film, because I know how bad it could have been. I feel goofy seeing it, too, since I was oblivious to what was happening. |
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The act of filming myself played the role of "fate", as it led to the key thief telling his "team" to duck (yes, you see that in the film too). That action brought attention to the thief, allowing concerned citizen Emilio to delicately confront the guy, stopping the rest of the planned crime.
In my multimedia show, "Solo in South America", I run the full footage and narrate it as the action occurs. |
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 (left image): William says hi to nice girl ...
(right image):
the bad guy feigns friendliness... |
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Four accomplices duck, when alerted that William's video camera being held up here is filming.
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I was very lucky that Emilio helped, emerging as my local hero.
I hope you never find yourself in a similar position, or if you do that locals step up to help you out, too. |
A few safety tips
Be discreet with valuables. Don't wear jewelry and don't show off to locals or other travelers. Be low key.
I erred in Cusco since I was being glib and was inadvertently wielding cameras a little too broadly and not keeping them low profile. Learn from my mistake to secure your belongings and protect yourself from being a target.
Meanwhile, if you are in Cusco and see this man who robbed me, could you ask for my book back? Maybe best to ensure all your pockets are zipped and you are behind a fence with a couple body guards when you ask. |
WHERE THE HECK WAS THIS?
Cusco, at 3326 metres, was the capital of the Incan empire and is the oldest constantly inhabited city in South America. This wonderful little city is the common starting point for the Inca Trail (Machu Picchu). |
| Vancouver-based photographer/ adventurer William Jans enjoys a cult following thanks to his multimedia travel shows about his absurd travels. If you might like to catch one his LIVE SHOWS in your city, register for updates on his website at www.wrjphoto.com |
