Steph and I are back from our trip. I must have picked up food poisoning or some kind of stomach bug on the flight back since I’ve been on the toilet non-stop for the past few days. But that’s not really what I want to write about.
I guess I should lead with the most impactful part of the trip. Which occurred on our last day while we were having lunch with a bunch of my colleagues in Barcelona. We had finished the meal, paid the bill, and were standing in a circle of sorts as we were saying our goodbye’s. When all of a sudden, faster than any of us could register, someone slid in, slipped their finger under my wrist, and nabbed my watch. The assailant ripped the band off like a band-aid and started tearing ass down the street so fast no one else even knew what was stolen. But I sure did. My friggin Patek was gone in the blink of an eye.
so what do I do? I start tearing ass right after him. I took off running like Tom Cruise with the only weapon I had. A stupid hotel umbrella. He was so damn fast though. I got one useless lick in with my umbrella but the distance between us was increasing with every wasted effort. I started yelling at the top of my lungs. Help!! thief!! Get him!!
we turned one block. Then another. I’m getting winded. Legs are giving out. The yelling was taking it out of me but man was I frantic. I’ve never felt such a feeling of despair and hopelessness. But maybe that’s what saved me. I pretty much to fell to my knees and prayed for someone to come to my aid.
and by God, that someone came in the form of an Uber type food delivery driver on a Vespa type scooter. He was wearing a helmet but caught my eye. Heard my cries. And knew straight away who the getaway man was.
the rest is a bit of a blur. I was growing further away at this point. but thru the crowded street I could see my savior take off toward my devil. Whatever came next was a true miracle. The watch was dropped. The Scooter picked it up. He was somehow off his bike at this point. I wish I remember this part more clearly, but somehow, with his helmet still on, he walks it up me. I don’t really speak a lick of Spanish. And I didn’t want to babel in English like an idiot American. It all happened so fast. I wish I would’ve offered him a reward. I had a lot of euros still on me. I was just so overcome. It was seriously that impactful. So I gave him my most humble hands together in prayer. Again and again and again
anyway, the rest of the trip was awesome!