So, I had a 1-hour class yesterday in Providencia. I picked my pole carefully and since I had locked my bike there before, I felt comfortable it would be OK. I wrapped my lock through every spoke and bar and wheel I could. I wiped the inevitable sweat off my forehead, drank Santiago's finest tap water, and took the elevator up to the 22nd floor to my class with my helmut swinging from my backpack, feeling cool.
Fast-foward 1 hour and I'm a lot richer since my student paid me for the whole month. I call my honey to plan to meet for lunch and round the corner to get on my sweet ride and then, I'm brought back down to Earth when I realize my boyfriend's pride and joy (OK, that's a little overkill, but he loved that bike!) is nowhere to be seen. Feeling like an idiot (and a jerk for getting my boyfriend's bike stolen), I manage to tell Italo (since I'm talking on the phone with him when I realize his prized possession is gone and probably halfway to Las Persas to be sold by the motherf**ker who cut my lock and stole our ride). Being the greatest guy in the world that he is, Italo doesn't miss a beat in telling me to get home and not to worry about it and that the important thing is that I'm OK.
What's lamer than someone thinking they're so cool for riding their bike everywhere, you ask? I'll tell you. It's me, helmet still in tow, having to buy a metro ticket since I ditched my BIP pass when I ditched Transantiago for the bike.
So here I sit, next to my bike-less boyfriend, feeling like a jerk and hoping I never see that model again because I think I may accuse some innocent person of stealing from me.
After researching it, apparently this is the only kind of lock that works so I will be buying several and putting them all over the next bike:
So, my dear boyfriend, even though you don't want to hear it because you really don't seem the slightest bit mad at me, this is my public apology. I'm sorrrrrrrry that beautiful bike isn't sitting outside on our patio tonight.
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On the bright side, we have a kitten who is adorable and fitting in wonderfully here. Say hello to McNulty:
7 comments:
Oh how dreadful!!! I am so sorry! I´ve had my share of experiences being robbed in Chile and it gets me in the gut every time! There´s nothing worse than feeling totally and utterly helpless and violated and not being able to do anything about it! Hopefully karma exists in this world and whoever stole the bike will get paid back for what they did!
theyve shown on TV a bunch of times how you can pop those U locks with a ballpoint pen.
Nothing is particularly safe it seems. ..
Lou, thanks. Im sorry you've had "your share" of experiences being robbed here. I don't want to jinx myself, but this was my first and I'm just glad I wasn't around to see it because I know I'd be a fighter which is just stupid.
Lydia, ever the voice of reason, you just crushed my bike dreams. :) but thank you for telling me that. It looks like those bicicletas plegables are the only safe bet because you can just fold them up and take them with you. I'm going to check out the prices...
What a cute kitten! Sorry about the bike getting stolen.. I'm hoping maybe someone donates you a new one or something soon :)
This is random and I doubt happens in a lot of the cases, but my friend's bike was stole and two weeks later he was at the persa (not looking for the bike, just with a friend for something else) and he saw his exact bike. He demanded it back...the guy said no, and he left his friend there to make sure the guy who had it didn't go anywhere, then went to get the pacos and they made him give it back.
So....there's hope?
Awwwww that SUCKS. So sorry. I remember when Italo got it! It was such a happy moment. Oh man. I think you should do what Kyle said and browse the Persa. You never know!!
Katie-- awww, thanks!!
Kyle and Abby--We are SO doing that this weekend. Great idea!
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