Kyle Berg

Let´s just say I´ve had better days in my life. Yesterday, my friend Coral and I were looking for a restaurant to eat lunch. We stopped in Plaza San Martin to consult my Time Out Buenos Aires guide for a place to eat. I set my backpack down immediately in front of me on a bench and started flipping through the guide. Someone walked by and dropped their sunglasses, so Coral picked them up and went after the person to whom they belonged. Almost simultaneously, someone came from behind me and appeared to be offering me some sort of help. Thinking they were helping me with directions or making a suggestion, I followed them for about 20-30 feet until it was obvious they had nothing to say. Immediately, I felt sick as I realized what had happened. I turned around and my backpack was gone.

I had read about theft here in BA and had been very watchful. Until then, I had been so careful to guard my possessions. Whenever I was at school, in a safe building with people I know, I still carried my bag with me during breaks. On the subway, I kept an eye on it at all times and kept my wallet in my front pocket. I had let my guard down for only 10-20 seconds, but that was enough for the 3rd person to completely disappear with my bag. It simply slipped my mind. The backpack itself wasn´t that valuable, but its contents were. They stole it because it was the bag of a tourist and might contain cash other things of marginal to medium value. They hit the jackpot with me. It contained my new Apple laptop, my digital camera, an external hard drive, mp3 player with headphones, bluetooth headset, maps, umbrella, and 2 water bottles. Complete devastation.

We ran around the plaza, panning the area for a glimpse of a black and gray bag, but it was on its way to who knows where in a metro area of 12 million people. I stopped to pray for a miracle, but it wasn´t to be. It felt like a scene from a movie or a bad dream that had to end soon.

I sat in the Plaza with Coral for about 20 minutes in stunned disbelief. We talked through what was in there and what was not. I still had my wallet, keys, and cell phone. Also, my passport was back home in my room. I also made a mental checklist of what was on the computer. I couldn´t think of anything that could damage me personally. There may have been a copy of my passport, but I can´t remember. Also, it is password protected, but I can´t remember if I shut it down or only put the computer to sleep by closing the lid. Basically, they had a lot of cool pictures, music, emails, contact info, and miscellaneous other info. More than likely, all this information was erased anyway.

While the financial loss was frustrating and completely avoidable, it goes much deeper than that. Things (other than pictures or files) can always be replaced. What I have is a complete sense of helplessness and loneliness. There was and is absolutely nothing I can do to remedy the situation. Someone suggested visiting an area of BA where stolen electronics often surface in various stores. However, even if I were to find it there, what am I going to do? It would cost more than buying a replacement in the US. And I couldn´t call the police and show them proof of my matching serial number because the police here are completely and thoroughly corrupt. Complete helplessness.

I went back to the school just because I needed more people with whom to share my experience. Sometimes, we just need people to feel sorry for us. Everyone there was stunned and asked if I needed anything. They consoled me and shared their frustrations with Argentina. After talking with Romina, Majo, Laura, and Natasha in the office, I went upstairs to talk with the kitchen ladies with whom I have become good friends. Rosita made me some tea to calm the nerves (theoretically), and they talked to me in a motherly fashion and gave me hugs. I also called Paul back in the US just to have another person to help me. Still, it was very difficult. I was having en emotional dichotomy which I will try my best to explain.

After concluding that those SOBs had taken my valuables, but nothing more, I set about figuring out how to learn from the experience. First of all, I was not injured. Secondly, I still have the Spanish knowledge which I came here to obtain–they could not take that from me. Thirdly, I had a place to stay and new friends I had made in BA. Finally, I tried to determine why this happened. My best answer is that life just happens and that the Devil wants to discourage me. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, I know I want and need to be in BA and this point in my life. Just like the situation with transmission going out on my truck the day before I left, something wants me to give up and lose my determination and joy. But I won´t do it. It would be foolish, childish, and nearsighted.

Yet there is a part of me that just needs to be consoled. The part of me that can´t always be positive and try and learn from everything. Even with friends and family, there is something deeper emotionally. I´ve had a difficult week. I was sick for 4 days with no one to take care of me. My dog Kirby died on Wednesday and I was crying alone at a McDonald´s 6,000 miles from home. Then, I was robbed and had a litany of emotions that I have yet to figure out. There is a part of me that longs for companionship. I want to go back home after things like this, hug my wife, cry, and just sit with her for hours. To have someone with whom to share my experiences. I know it´s worth the wait, but this is more difficult than I can possibly explain. I´m simply tired of being alone.

I don´t believe I´m feeling sorry for myself. Anyone who knows me knows that´s not my M.O. If I am, please post a comment and tell me so. Life goes on and I´m actually surprised by how positive my attitude is right now. If you read to the end of this long entry, thanks. I just needed an outlet for my emotions.