Ya esta

Last night the director of our program gave us a nice little speech about how our study abroad experience was really just starting. He said we were done adjusting, done traveling and, with chuckles, done getting robbed.

Then today at 2:09 PM on bus 128 at about 1500 Billlinghurst I was robbed.

I guess i am just a step behind the adjustment/getting robbed process.

I wasn't really "robbed;" i was pick pocketed. And it kills me because i knew something wasn't right. A guy in a suit came and stood next to me on a bus when there were a few extra seats on the bus open. He bumped into me once and then got off the bus. I thought it was suspicious so i checked my purse and my wallet was gone. Not only did he open the zipper on my purse but also the zipper inside the purse and then reached in to get my wallet. He was good.

And I can't remember his face which bothers me for some reason. I feel like i should know the face of the man who now has my driver's license, my 20 pesos and the contact information of my therapist.

And yes I feel violated. I feel like some of my power has been taken. And the worse part is I can't seem to get pissed. I'm not really mad at this guy. I just feel little and defenseless in this big city I thought I was starting to conquer.

Life here is a roller coaster. Ups, downs, loops, fear, excitement and a slight nausea. I just hope I get to enjoy the ride before it ends.

P.S. Please do not send me any "advice" on how to not get pickpocket. I have already gotten an earful and I will never carry my money in a poach under my shirt like a tourist. But thanks for the suggestion.

P.P.S. Positive note: My friend and I have vowed to stop speaking English on the bus to avoid drawing attention to ourselves. Maybe i will actually begin to learn castellano now.