A Chilean Adventure

Just when I was starting to get really comfortable in Valdivia, I got a startling reminder that we’re still foreigners.

Danielle and I were having a great evening of just walking around and seeing a new part of the city. We got up close and personal with some sea lions and attempted to take some pictures that would show just how huge they are. They seem like they are really used to humans because they come right up on the riverbank by all the excitement of the city. Even though they seemed to be sleeping, there was still no way we were getting very close. We were brave for the sake of the pictures though and got within a few feet.

Then we proceeded to walk along the costal street just to stroll along and check things off. We were talking and not paying much attention when a boy (probably about 12 years old) rode past us on his bike from the opposite direction and yanked my camera right off my arm. I was left with just the strap dangling on my wrist.

We yelled and screamed, but no one did anything (it probably didn’t help that we yelled in English) and he took off pretty quickly on his bike. We stood there for a few minutes, trying to comprehend what had happened. I picked myself back up and tried to look on the bright side; the camera was almost four years old and I had been contemplating getting a new one. Also, the only pictures that were still on it were from around Valdivia, so they’re easily replaceable.

It wasn’t a good experience, but it reminded me that I still stand out as a foreigner, even though I’m here for a couple of months. It doesn’t change my impression of Valdivia or Chile, it just helped me remember not to let my guard down too much.