Narrow Escapes

Joe thinks I'm being a bit dramatic about this (dramatic? me? never, I say). But, I think, what's a blog without a little drama?

Within the past 31 days, I have narrowly escaped unwanted contact with the police, twice.

First, there was Boxing Day (2 January). Joe and I were looking forward to spending the day with some friends who had invited us to join them for a Boxing Day dinner. We were to bring the appetizer. Being that it was right after the holidays and I just didn't feel like making anything fancy, we decided to pick up some cheese and crackers and hummus at the store down the street from their home. And, so we set out, a little early, to do our errand. We were shocked (and appalled) to find that the grocery store was closed. On a Saturday. Dazed and confused (and now running late), we decided we'd have to walk to the next store nearby in the hopes that they were open for business. Fortunately, they were. And so, we selected our merchandise and went to pay.

As a side note/story, we were also purchasing alcohol. The drinking age here is 18. The following conversation ensues:

Cashier And, may I ask hold old you are?
A: Um, 30.
C: Ok. You can have your (something we don't understand, but take to mean we can have the beer).

**please note in the above story, she did not get my id. She took my word for it that I was of age.

Now, to continue: as is the custom here, we loaded our purchases into the backpack and I handed the cashier our credit card. Joe left (with the backpack) so that we could get the appetizers there are close to on time as possible. Then, suddenly, the cashier informs me that she needs to see my id. Uh, oh. I don't have id. Joe has it and he, like Elvis, has left the building.

A: Um. I don't have id. My husband has it (lamely gestures to the door where aforementioned husband has exited)
C: Well, I need some way to verify that this is you.
A: Can't you just take my word for it? (smiles sweetly and hopes, in vain)
C: No.
A: Oh, well, I can go get it? I'll just need to go get my husband. He can't be too far yet.
A: (leaves store and sprints up street towards husband. leaves credit card behind. payment has already been made, signature just needs verification)
A: (wondering how in the world husband go so far up the street in so short an amount of time, catches up, gets passport, and begins running back to the store)
A: (arrives at store to see several staff members on the street looking for her. thinks, oh crap)
C: I thought you left without paying
A: No, I just went to get id. Like I told you.
C: I thought you left without paying.
A: No, just had to get my id (thinking: you have my credit card, and I told you I was coming back)
C: I thought you left without paying.
A: (right, roger that). Um...(sheepishly offers up passport)
C: Oh. (verifies signature) Ok.
A: Um. Thanks?
C: Cheers.
A: Uh-huh. Cheers.

And, that friends, is the true story of my first narrow escape from a police encounter.

By the way, did you know that the police here do not carry guns. They do, however, wear bullet-proof vests.

Narrow Escape #2: Coming tomorrow.