I cross the Gran Vía and I look at Malasaña, the post office is still there, unmoved and mocking. Hail to the employee that it is practically family, I give the mailbox number. Any package for me? The same routine check, the same look jaded. No, Today there is nothing for you!
In travel, as in life, we tend to remember only the good. The selective memory filter spreads like a fan torrid heat, mosquitoes, insufferable companions, and dead times at airports, building a snapshot at the end of our trips packed golden. Shimmering and ready to present to your friends. In this nightmare catalog for the traveler, can not miss scams. They occupy a privileged, a few we like to admit it but many have suffered its consequences to a greater or less extent. Fake mobile phones, portfolios that disappear, mysterious trips that never happen ... You distrust, acorazarte, walk with a donkey earmuffs ignoring the many propositions that assail you on every trip, but in the end nothing will completely ensures escape the effects of the thymus. Sometimes it is even advisable if you want to travel with freedom intact and full heart a little empty you pockets.
Even today I fluffed the heart and shame at the memory, mixture of the disbelief of the deluded geek and admiration for my scammers
I have been scammed several times, most small claims, only unos pocos euros. However there was one different, special, I still bristle heart and shame at the memory, mixture of the disbelief of the deluded geek and admiration for my scammers.
Situation: two young backpackers shake off the last strings of sleep and get off a rick-shaw in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal one morning in September after a month and a half traveling around India and Nepal. They are preparing to enjoy the main course of the trip before returning to Spain. Gone are intense weeks entangled in that surrealist influx that only India produces. After touring the country mad, bathe with corpses in the Ganges, or wait an hour with a major artery cut New Dheli to lift a cow, you come to firmly believe that in this country everything is possible. If a unicorn came and sat at your table to share a portion of Tandoori Chicken, one limit at him with polite indifference to ask you pass the salt.
The gleaming mother-of-pearl cupola of the Taj looms evocative against the reddish rooftops of Agra. Before we get to visit the ticket office to make sure the train back to New Dheli for later, the two backpacking morning depart for Spain. Behind the counter a guy dressed in western form serves us, looks about thirty-five years camouflaged behind a lank hair and a thin mustache. He speaks fluent English rather than for India, their ways are quite brazen, almost European, Frederick introduces himself. We sells tickets fast, reluctantly, almost like a formality. Madrid speaks like a single district Agra. Chueca, Malasaña, Chamberí ... seems to know everything, it says nothing escapes. He normally lives in London and travels a lot in Europe he says, Agra is visiting his brother watching. Do we have time? The Taj Mahal is not going to move, wants to teach us something.
The two young people will not be interested in making some money maybe? Sure, the two young people interested, are peeled, after a month of travel
In one breath we stumbled on a Tuk-tuk on the streets of Agra, to lead to a luxury jewelry seems. Frederick made a sign to the dependent and leads us to the back room where his office, at home on the couch is apoltrona, lights a cigarette and glances us confidential. Lower your voice. Are the two young people not interested in earning some money?? Sure, the two young people interested, are peeled, after a month of two young journey Do they know anything about jewelry? The two young people know little about this subject, in fact is far from their fields of interest, but they like the air-conditioned establishment and the Hindu girls who tend the jewelry store and give them smiling glances from time to time.
Well, the two young people must know that Frederick is a representative of jewels and that he is dedicated to trading with them in stores throughout Europe; London, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid… Here Frederick pauses in the story of his “dolce vita” in the old continent,to emphasize that place and open the entendederas. But, the evil Indian government charges a tax 150% by exporting jewelery, that hampers the proper business Frederik thank goodness he is an entrepreneur and clever, a true "self made man" and has obviously found the solution.
Do we hear?, ¿You?, Do not?, Of equal va contárnosla anyway. Purchase contracts usually set jewelry for young travelers like us , and are mailed. Thus rates are ridiculous, minors out of the country if he export. What we think? He pauses and grins his cunning. He works well, if we could lend a hand us a contract of sale and send the jewelry to a mailroom Malasaña, he will go to Madrid and pick up the package with us, thus avoiding taxes. In return we can give such commission … 3000 euros would be fine??
In return we can give such commission … 3000 euros would be fine??
At that time the two young backpackers forget the air conditioning, the little looks full of kohl and the Taj Mahal itself. So far had followed the speech with dull placidity 3,000 euros!, Travel payback, beat count money and power over! It's time to harass good Frederick with a thousand questions. He now silent, sprawls in his chair pleased. Of course the two young men are not the first to enjoy the advantageous business deal. Shake a thick sheaf of papers as a trophy. Are passports photocopied: Australian, French, Italians who have worked with him. Proud teaches us as a stamp collection, almost shed a tear for their small and intimate partners spread across the globe.
Of course the two young gentlemen should only engage in a, share shipping costs, 150 euros each as a sign of goodwill and sign a paper that does not give permission to open the parcel to be accompanied by him in Madrid. At this time the passport photo of a young Japanese man looks me forlorn, blows my alarms. Good Frederick will not risk our necks trying Truth?? Outraged, he removes his entire backpacking holding company from the table and invites us to leave, snort like a demon. For whom have we taken Frederick? He is a serious person, full honesty, religious ... Here he pauses theatrically to kiss a paunchy ceramic Buddha has with his table. Can we go! Notes proud. No we do lack, and of course we need, not interested in doing business with two idiots who do not demonstrate a high intelligence to seize an opportunity when their noses are.
Here he pauses theatrically to kiss a paunchy ceramic Buddha has with his table. Can we go! Notes proud
The backpackers are looking: 150 against 3000 EUR. The possibility is tantalizing, in the background ... Why not? A notch more to add to the mix of adventure if successful. Made! The next hour passes like a gale in which only the table smiling Buddha seems to retain some sanity. Frederick starts, to a snap out of a camera employees Jewelry, carry small packages, aquamarines and topaz shine before our eyes. At that time we've lost the oremus, as automata signed a purchase agreement worth 10000 EUR, We pack the jewelry destination to a station mailing Madrid Wood Street, going to an ATM, money we get to share the shipping costs, and in an office of the spoils MRW send us ourselves.
Frederick while planning as if there were no tomorrow: we are in a month in Madrid, he will go out there way to London, collect the diamonds and give us the commission. What we bring Madrid nightclub?, Are Spanish girls pretty?, At least we should invite him to dinner in exchange for the pasta has earned us Sure, Torrelodones casino and if necessary!
What we bring Madrid nightclub?, Are Spanish girls pretty?, At least we should invite him to dinner
An hour later we plant two resounding kisses and leaves us at the door of Thaj Majal, the two young backpackers contemplate the wonder almost with indifference, in his eyes there is only room for the glow of aquamarine, and plan, many plans. No time to lose, What will they do with the dough? They could drop their university degrees and go into the international jewelry trade, lucrative and easy, Easily! And of course you have to tell, Telling! The two backpackers lying on their imaginary treasure, dive into it like Scrooge McDuck, spit coins and crowned with a stone as big as his pride triumphant return to Spain. The Taj Mahal appears to contemplate his delusions impassive absorbed.
Hours later, on the train from Agra to Dheli, a shadow of doubt passes through like a knife, if you look for a moment ... Nooooooo!, impossible! Breathe relieved, they are ashamed to be so distrustful in this blessed country full of opportunities and they take the last chai to the health of Shiva.
A month and a half later I cross Gran Vía and look at Malasaña, the post office is still there, unmoved and mocking. Hail to the employee who is starting to look like family, I give the mailbox number. Any package for me? The same routine check, the same look jaded. No, Today there is nothing for you! I close my fists, teeth chattering, rests on my agenda yet the number of our partner in his stubborn silence. ¡Frederick, someday return to India to see the Taj Mahal and I assure you there will be a corner of Agra in which your Buddha and you you may hide you! Word of a jewelry dealer.
