First there are fences and gates everywhere. It makes for a less friendly street, I tell you. Only my friend Fiona has a full "no-gate" situation, but she lives in a "condominium", an large compound of houses surrounded by full walls, topped with barbwire. Even then, Fiona's house is the only one in her street that has not gated herself further. When we were planning our arrival in Brasilia, we met with my husband's colleague and his wife, who lived here for four years. Despite their fences, they got robbed. At gun point. Because they forgot to close that gate. Not very reassuring.
Alarm systems are installed everywhere. I guess that part is nothing new for us, when installed in public spaces. But here it is for different reasons, no more about the control of people, but about the safety of the users, therefore more in the private sphere. Our own security people were here today, installing and adjusting our own alarm system. Furthermore, we have a door upstairs that locks us up at night, so if someone ever comes in at night they would have more trouble getting to us. And in addition, someone will be watching our house when we travel.
Then there is the various legal measures to prevent child kidnappings. On our first hour in Brazil, once out of the plane in Rio's airport, I left the boys go to the toilet on their own. A lady, well intended, told me to never do this again. Never loose sight of your kids. Makes for less pleasant grocery shopping trips with them. Another consequence to this fear of kidnapping is that Brazilian children traveling with one parent need to have a note legalized by a judge allowing them to travel without their other parent. On the same line of thinking, prior hiring of any staff, a security check is needed with the registry of the federal and national polices to ensure no past criminal record or activities.
Then there is the constant treat that comes from moving around the city. Drive with windows rolled up. Do not stop at red lights or stop signs at night. Avoid certain areas of town. The most perilous action we can do is to stay inside a parked car in a parking lot. Sounds banal, right? Well, that is what a bad guy here awaits for. He would walk to your car, point a gun at you, get in and get you to drive him to the nearest bankomat, and helps you retrieve all your cash. It is called express kidnaping. Pretty sure our banks do not cover for this one - at the opposite of stollen credit cards... In fear of this probability, I have taken out of my wallet some of my credit cards. They are valid, but I really have no idea of their PIN numbers, as I use them mostly for direct purchases and never for any withdrawal. It would be stupid to die because some crazy guy thinks I am playing dumb with my PIN number on a card.
Other consequences to these various security threats, most house staff finishes early to get home before dark, in fear of being attacked on their way home. Specially if they live in poorer areas.
Then there is the risk of fake road accidents, aiming at your car, and forcing you to get out of the car to check things out, and followed by express kidnapping. If an old beaten up car hits you, just drive away.
And there is also the risk of express stealing of car parts - specially if you are owner of VW Gol - a small model that is very popular here, making resale a guarantee. Usually they can do it in about 5 minutes. Take all your wheels. off. Pretty efficient, which is surprising considering the general lack of efficiency here!
That said, all this could sound pretty theoretical. Yet last week, various sources - including friends - informed us that an European Union diplomat was kidnapped and later released. The ordeal happened just a few blocks from where we lived, in Asa Sul. The poor italian guy is fine now, thanks G_d.
A few days later I learned about a trio of young foreigners being assaulted at gun point on the commercial street of quadra 304, just up our block, at the end of an afternoon. I walked there with the kids in a few occasions. It also gave me some shivers.
Upon knowing this I could not shake the feeling that despite all what we pretend is normal life here, lies a real threat, not one just on paper. And that we must be really really careful. Really really careful.
Here is a picture of this evening, upon learning about the EU diplomat. All looked normal, having dinner with new friends, in the quadra 408, near where the event took place. What looked more normal than a few kids having a good time together?? As a Canadian, I really have some difficulty to imagine the worst all the time. I can't shake the feeling that there is something wrong in trying to foresee evil in each possible encounter. Maybe if you are raised in a gun culture, like our neighbors from the south it is easier? I still need to check.
In any cases, it makes me more nervous here when Paul is traveling. And tonight, while doing my little thing upstairs, all doors open downstairs to catch the breeze, I realized the gate had been left open. I am certain we waited with the car to see it close fully behind us. But then the kids played with my keys and remotes in my bag, while I was cooking, I remembered. My hearth sank. I walked downstairs, half in panic. Would/could there be someone there already? The gate must have been open for 2 hours already. I toured the house. The immediate surroundings of the house. Locked up the kids upstairs while doing that. Everything was there, ready to be taken - my handbag, the TV and new DVD player, the keys, the car. All was still untouched, all fine. But in the process I lost my interest for a solo swim in the night. I am calmer now. All is fine. Our little dead-ended street only has limited traffic with only 4 houses, and us being the one before the last. Yet, I feel I will need to sedate myself with some good old indian chants. Hopefully the night will appease me further.
Note to self: Hide keys and gate remotes from the kids. Tell Noam to pay attention to the gate, and notify me if open.
No comments:
Post a Comment