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Accosted is probably too strong a word, but last night in Antigua, I was walking to my home stay and a lady approached me like we were old friends and suggested we get a glass of wine at a place she knew in a somewhat isolated place. She had a tough looking guy nearby in the shadows and the whole thing felt like a set up. I asked where she knew me from and what my name was and when we had met. She was evasive but it was apparent it was some kind of scam.
My memory of the photo of the women who was robbing people is similar to what this lady looked like but I wanted to recheck the photo. This took place outside of San Jose el Viejo on the sidewalk at about 6:15pm
In any case, take the standard advice of being cautious with someone you don't know quite well, even if they approach you as though you have met before.
Bill
http://www.hobotraveler.com/blogphotos/194-01-guatemala-orange-juice.jpg
For the longest time I thought it was rude to just walk by someone wanting to talk to me on the street. But since most of these stops are requests for money or some other hassle, I have gotten in the habit of ignoring them. The last time was "Do you know if you are going to heaven or hell?" I answered "Anyplace you are is hell".
I've been accosted by bums in the USA who are actually eating something while saying they are hungry and need my money.
Needing money to get on a subway train is almost always a lie, in my opinion. You would think someone who has the nerve to ask would also have the nerve to jump the turnstile.
And don't forget, "I have just been robbed" uttered by the same person standing in the same place every day! You would think they wouldn't return to such a dangerous corner!
I know it doesn't really solve anything, but when I visit Guatemala, I pick one person during the trip who is disabled or elderly and begging. That person I give some money to. The last time was a man without legs and he cried when I handed him a little something. I understand the people who feel we shouldn't encourage begging, but think life must be so hard for a severely disabled person in Guatemala
I know all the homeless in my area here in downtown Chicago, most have sever mental issues/addictions and even social workers cant reason with them, so I do give them food.
Getting approached by a local woman as a foreigner a foreigner at night in a touristy area is red flag city. The motives could be deadly.
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Accosted in Antigua?
Some time back, someone posted a photo of a woman who was robbing people in Antigua. I thought it was on this forum but it could have been another site. Does anyone have a link?Accosted is probably too strong a word, but last night in Antigua, I was walking to my home stay and a lady approached me like we were old friends and suggested we get a glass of wine at a place she knew in a somewhat isolated place. She had a tough looking guy nearby in the shadows and the whole thing felt like a set up. I asked where she knew me from and what my name was and when we had met. She was evasive but it was apparent it was some kind of scam.
My memory of the photo of the women who was robbing people is similar to what this lady looked like but I wanted to recheck the photo. This took place outside of San Jose el Viejo on the sidewalk at about 6:15pm
In any case, take the standard advice of being cautious with someone you don't know quite well, even if they approach you as though you have met before.
Bill
2
Yeah..they tried to lure me in with orange juice.http://www.hobotraveler.com/blogphotos/194-01-guatemala-orange-juice.jpg
6
#5 Bajasur Hmm.. We were in Antigua on the above time and date and a little drunk and disorderly BUT #1 describes the guy as "a tough looking guy nearby in the shadows" That don't fit my description.7
I don't find walking around Antigua at night to be dangerous. (No, I am neither the woman or the guy in the shadows!). But, of course, crime can happen anywhere. Thanks for posting this "heads up".For the longest time I thought it was rude to just walk by someone wanting to talk to me on the street. But since most of these stops are requests for money or some other hassle, I have gotten in the habit of ignoring them. The last time was "Do you know if you are going to heaven or hell?" I answered "Anyplace you are is hell".
8
LOLI've been accosted by bums in the USA who are actually eating something while saying they are hungry and need my money.
Needing money to get on a subway train is almost always a lie, in my opinion. You would think someone who has the nerve to ask would also have the nerve to jump the turnstile.
And don't forget, "I have just been robbed" uttered by the same person standing in the same place every day! You would think they wouldn't return to such a dangerous corner!
I know it doesn't really solve anything, but when I visit Guatemala, I pick one person during the trip who is disabled or elderly and begging. That person I give some money to. The last time was a man without legs and he cried when I handed him a little something. I understand the people who feel we shouldn't encourage begging, but think life must be so hard for a severely disabled person in Guatemala
9
Begging is one thing, solicitation for sex is another, or possible armed robbery being the worst. I always give handicap beggars something, old old people, and women with children, but children solo rarely, many gangs put children, handicap out on the street and control the area, some gangs have territories, this is common in the US, Vietnam/Cambodia/China/EU, Latin America.I know all the homeless in my area here in downtown Chicago, most have sever mental issues/addictions and even social workers cant reason with them, so I do give them food.
Getting approached by a local woman as a foreigner a foreigner at night in a touristy area is red flag city. The motives could be deadly.
10
What is San Jose el Viejo? Is that the little church out on 5a Calle Sur?ADVERTISEMENT
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