Arrived Tlaxcala yesterday and so far I like except being ripped off by a taxi driver. And more than an hour ago (Not to be too vulgar), I was in Tizitlan looking around at the ruins and church and enjoying the view of El Malinche. As I was walking back to catch a combi, I was on a main street about 5:30 p.m. I heard some rapid footsteps approaching and did not look back, which I regret. All of a sudden there was someone grabbing on my day pack and stuck there arm and hand between my legs up to the front of my crotch!!! I screamed and off he went. As I turned around a guy was running. I took off my pack and everything was intact. I have locks of sort on two of the zippered areas, but one I do not and it was not opened.
This guy ran around the corner. A guy that was selling pizza looked around the corner. I had just passed by there and spoke with him. I do not know where this guy came from. I think he was fairly young as he could move pretty fast when he ran. I dont know if he was up at the ruins and church or if he was in a store I passed by.
When I got back to Tlaxcala, I spoke with a woman who speaks good English and told her what happened. She said" Mexicans are crazy, this is why we left Mexico City." She apologized. Her husband shook his head.
What I did wrong was I did not turn around. I felt it was odd. Mexicans normally do not walk fast! Also, I bring a whistle and wish I had it around my neck. I had an attempted mugging outside of Oaxaca several years ago and I was ready to blow the whistle but the guy took off.
Anyhow...my adrenaline was pumping.
So, was he copping a feel and is this common? I think he could have ripped my pack off if he wanted.
I like Tlaxcala, but it is time to go to Xalapa tomorrow.
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<hr>Huh? <hr></blockquote>I'd agree with the comment above: back in my 'home' country I tend to be an average-paced walker, but here in various Mexico locations I've noticed that the locals walk about half as fast as I do.
I'd suggest the crotch grabbing was more to divert attention from the pack than copping a feel.
#3 - I never noticed any such thing and I don't consider myself a "slow" walker.
It just struck me as such a ridiculous generalization. I mean c'mon - Mexicans are slow walkers? As opposed to all those Nigerian fast walkers? LOL
I don't think it's a totally ridiculous generalization, mis. Some of us northerners are very fast walkers... It's crossed my mind that we need passing lanes on the sidewalks in DF. "Con permisso" is the first phrase most of us have to learn first when we first get here. It takes a few weeks for the altitude adjustment to convince us to adopt a normal pace.
Well nobody really seemed to answer the question of what was happening, but the answers I got today, by women in Tlaxcala and Xalapa were: it was a bet, he was drunk, or on drugs.
As for the walking thing, are you kidding me? In all of my travels in Mexico ( and I have had many) many mexicans walk pretty slowly, especially when they are with someone. And the sidewalks are quite narrow. I am always putting on the blinker (con permiso) and passing, but maybe this is because I usually am on a mission. I am sure when I am with someone, I have a tendency to walk slow too.
The thing was that the footsteps I heard came up really quickly...this is when I should have used my gutt instinct and turned around. then I am not sure what he would have done, but i could have kicked him in the balls, which he deserved...and some!
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