New Phone Day

Yesterday in Pretoria I was once again granted the opportunity to buy something new. This time it was a cell phone. The dark forces of the world were apparently weighted against me. I was walking to the small mall not too far from our hostel at 10:00 in the morning. Keep in mind that this hostel is in one of the most quiet and nicest neighborhoods in the area. Another volunteer had just left before me by herself. I walked alone because I figured that 1. I could buy some stuff I needed and have Scott meet up with me in a few hours at the mall and 2. This area is one of the nicest and most quiet neighborhoods around... I didn't make it 2 blocks.

I came out of the gate and strolled down the street in my happy-go-lucky and innocent way enjoying the morning sunshine and wondering if all the dogs on the street bark at me in particular or at everyone who passes by. At this point three shady looking guys come around the corner and scatter. I saw these guys and thought 'Damn... I'm getting mugged'. One by one I was surrounded as they asked me random stuff which I ignored. One of the guys grabs me from behind and the other two more or less empty my pockets. I decide to help them out and take out my cheap cell phone saying 'Here take the f****** thing'. I made rare vocal use of the F word because I was under a bit of stress at the time and it seemed wholly appropriate.

One of the guys goes 'Where's the money??'. I say 'I don't carry money on me because I don't want people to steal it...' and with that I turned and walked away like nothing had happened. In reality I had a good 200 Rand in my pocket. I guess I earned the trust of the robbers when I so kindly handed them the phone. They must not have been able to think of any reason why a person getting robbed wouldn't keep any secrets from their assailants.

I went straight to the mall and bought myself a new phone. I had Vodacom switch my phone number back and amazingly retrieved all 40 Rands of my airtime. So in the end I was out: 1 Nokia phone that was almost a year old which I paid less than $30.00 for and a camo patterned bandanna that I had recently used to dry the entirety of my body after a shower. Not a very good haul by any means.

I have to give mad props to our Peace Corps security officer who told us all about muggings, how to handle them and how to limit the damage. Thanks to him I had my cheap phone in my pocket and my nice phone buried in my bag. I pretty much bought that phone for the purpose of being stolen.

Also, Vodacom was very quick in getting my number back to me and everything up and working like old.

Finally, to the robbers themselves. I think the mugging experience was one of the most expedited processes I have been through in this country. Quick and to the point. They took my cheap things off my mind and allowed me the freedom to renew my phone inventory. I hope they are enjoying that handkerchief.