Pickpocketed in Mexico During Día de Los Muertos

 I WAS PICKPOCKETED!

Beware of Pickpockets in the Crowds!

I made a newbie mistake Sunday night on the Malecón in Puerto Vallarta. After living in México for many years, I let my guard down in a crowd for the first time and a skillful pickpocket helped himself to the contents of my backpack purse.

Puerto Vallarta's 2022 Beautiful La Catrina

I brought my Canon digital camera to try to get better photos of this year's Día de Los Muertos Catrinas, especially our record-making tall beauty. I had raised my arms over the heads in front of me to snap a couple of shots of the Beatles—they were great!

The Beatles Catrinas

When I turned to find my husband, Jon, I immediately realized my backpack was significantly lighter. Every zipper on the back was wide open! A slick pickpocket got my Clinique bag containing paracetamol, ibuprofen, carbidopa/levodopa for Jonathan's Parkinson's disease, and other miscellaneous OTC meds. No big loss. I hope they were greatly disappointed. But he or she also got my cell phone.

My Gratitude for the Day, Week, and Month: They didn't get my wallet with my ID, debit card, and money. And I’m happy that I got some nice photos of the Catrinas and displays on the Malecón with my Canon camera.

There Were Some Great Older Model Cars Displayed

It's crowded out there during the parade and evening viewings of the Catrinas. It’ll continue to be crowded in tourist cities from now through the holidays. Beware of pickpockets! Another Lesson Learned...

My Canon Zoomed to Capture the 23-Meter-Tall Catrina's Face

The two women who helped me at the Telcel store with a new phone both said they had had phones stolen. One said she was taking a photo with her phone and someone snatched it out of her hand! The other had it taken out of her front pants pocket. They were both coaching me on how to hold my backpack purse—it was so sweet! Most Mexicans are so caring and helpful. It’s during these busy holidays that the thieves come out to work the crowd.

After their advice, I’ve been carrying my backpack purse in a front/side position with my arm hugging it. I've always kept a leash from my purse to my belt loop or my chair at a restaurant so it can't be snatched. But during these crowded holidays, skilled pickpockets don't need to snatch your whole purse—just smoothly remove the contents. Fortunately, I’ve always kept my wallet in a secret pocket. Now my phone will be stored there, too. We can’t be too careful.

To read about “More Lessons Learned”, check out my latest book available on Amazon worldwide. Thank you for reading my blog articles and books.

Living in Mexico More Lessons Learned

Healthy Living in Mexico eBook #5

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Terry L Turrell

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