Wherever there are people with money, there will be other people trying to take some of that money away. Sometimes this is especially true when you are travelling. You are far away from home and thus you might seem an easy prey.
In 2001 I met a young german backpacker, let’s call him Hans, in the departure hall of Denpasar Airport on Bali. We were both waiting for the same flight to Darwin, so after a while he came over and we started chatting. He seemed a bit nervous and soon after he wanted to hear my opinion about something that had happened to him the night before.
He was just on the way out to get some food, when he was invited to join a few indonesian guys, who were drinking arrak near the reception of his guesthouse. They all got drunk and one of the indonesians, Bun, suggested to go to a bar and later to a nightclub. On the way to the bar Hans was asked if he’d mind if they pick up one of Bun’s friends. Once there, they found a game of poker under way. There was loads of money on the table, lots of banter going back and forth and Hans decided he wanted to watch the cardgame. After a while Bun’s friend had lost almost all of his money and Bun told Hans that this was to be the last game; then they could all go get some drinks. Then sudenly the banter turned to angry discussion. Hans was told that Bun’s friend wanted a chance to win all his money back and eventually his opponent agreed. Cards were dealt, bets were raised. Then Hans was called over to the table. He was shown a hand that apparently couldn’t lose and asked if he wanted to invest some money. Eventually he was persuaded to get all his cash from the guesthouse, close to 1000 USD. On his return the other player got angry again and told Hans he couldn’t come up with that much cash tonight. And the next day he was flying out to Darwin. Coincidentally on the same flight as Hans. So eventually it was agreed to finish the game in Australia. Bun’s friend was paid out and the rest of the money, plus a credit card as security against the cash, and the cards were sealed in different envelopes and entrusted into Bun’s safe keeping. They were all to meet the next day at the airport. Only Hans turned up.
Hans could have done quite a few things differently. For starters, you do not get completely wasted with people you don’t really know and don’t let yourself agree to things that feel a bit dodgy just out of a false sense of friendship. Hans had the chance to just walk away, yet he chose to return with all his money. He got greedy and was out for a quick buck. And that is exactly what those con artists are hoping for. Do not get drawn into their game. You can only lose.
Thankfully, those stories are quite rare and not everybody is as gullible as Hans, but still these things happen. Most of them on a much smaller scale, like being sold a fake bus or ferry ticket or being charged far too much for a certain service. I once paid 20 USD more to get a 2-month visa for Laos instead of just the normal 1-month one, only to find out at the border that there is no such thing as a 2-month visa. I even had a stamp in my passport saying that I’m good for two months! If you travel for long enough you will get ripped off eventually. Maybe getting ripped off is one of those travel rites you actually have to go through to become a true traveler! But it’s up to you to decide how much cash and pride you will lose. Just have some common sense!
When you do get ripped off, then get over it. Shit happens. Meeting the locals is a great experience, and it should be one of the reasons why you travel, so don’t spoil it by thinking that everybody is out to get you! The majority of the locals you will meet are good and honest people! Learn from your mistakes and the next time maybe you will win…