Adrian

At this point in time one of the most unusual occurrences of the whole trip took place. I met Adrian!

He came up to me just as I was leaving the VVV. He had long unkempt hair, looked like a heroin addict, and was obviously higher than a kite. I, of course, tried to ignore him but it was no use. The first thing he said to me was that I was an easy target for the thieves in the area. He said it was obvious I was a tourist and, though he didn't say so, a dumb one at that! He kept talking to me about how easy it would be to steal from me, and he gave me some pointers. I was nodding my head, trying not to show too much interest; but despite his obvious 'high' state, he was actually making sense. He was also scaring me, as I couldn't figure out his 'game.' Keep in mind I been awake for more than 24 hours.

He asked me where I was from and what I wanted in the VVV. I told him and he said he'd go in and get the information for me, which he actually did! I thanked him for the information hoping he'd go away, but Adrian had other plans for me. He started telling me the directions to the nearest campsite. I looked a little stunned, of course; so he said he would show me how to get there. I wish I could say I felt lucky but I didn't. In fact I felt like a lamb being driven to slaughter. However I traveled with him through some dark underpasses and streets to a free foot-passenger ferry. After a very short ride we were on the other side. We took a shortcut he knew, which no one else seemed to be taking. I thought, 'Oh my God, I'm going to have another first today-my first mugging.' The isolated part ended pretty quickly and we were on a roadway (a typical side street) with sidewalks. All this time he was telling me how it was considered, by him and his chums, almost a required ritual to rip off the tourists. He said he wasn't going to because he didn't like doing it. He did say that certain tourists deserve to be ripped off because they are so arrogant.

I will tell you it's quite the feeling to be totally exhausted in an unknown country being guided by someone who seems deranged and possibly dangerous. Not an experience to be repeated, that's for sure.

Finally he told me I should be able to get to the campsite from where we were without too many problems. Even though I was pretty sure I'd still have problems I agreed with him and said I had appreciated his assistance. I gave him 5 G for his help. He was quite happy with this and went back the way we had come-thank God. Or should I say, 'Thank God for sending an angel to guide me?

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