Quick post

Ok, for those worried that I got snatched by some jewellery/porn syndicate intent on taxing my ass. Think again.

However, that night (see the comment for my previous post if you are confused) I went to meet these two guys who had been friendly and bought me a coffee. When I arrived at the agreed time two other guys asked who I was waiting for. They described them perfectly, claimed to be friends, and said they had had to go. Did I want to join them for a beer instead?

Ok, sure, why not. I was all prepared for beer.

So I went to their flat, had a couple of strong beers (Kingfisher 8 percent!) and had a chat. They were perfectly friendly - if a little sycophantic - and I was feeling quite relaxed. Up until the point that all the beer went. The eldest one leaned in and said

Him: do you want to make ten thousand pounds?

Me: No.

Him: Why not?

Me: I'm guessing it involves jewellery?

Him: Umm.

Me: Not interested.

Him: You don't want to make ten thousand pounds?

Me: No. I've heard all about this shit.

Him: So you've read it in the guidebook written by the government. They would say that.

Me: You would say that.

I stared him in the eye, sighed and said,

Me: Ok, go on, tell me about it.

Him: Ok, well the reason we need people like you is because you are on a tourist visa and can legally transport a certain amount of goods.

Me: uhuh.

Him: But if we transport them, the tax is very high, and it wastes us money. So it's totally legal.

Me: Right, what do I have to do?

Him: Ok, it will take three or four days. We pack up some jewellery with you - no drugs or weapons - all legal. Then we put you on the first flight back to England. Our man will be waiting for you at the airport - you give him the goods and he gives you ten thousand pounds. And you can fly straight back.

Me: Ok, I've listened. And I'm not interested. Do I look like a fucking idiot?

Him: What?

Me: I'm twenty two, yes. I may keep a naive appearance. But do you honestly think I am a fucking idiot?

Him: No, it's all legal. We do it all the time.

Me: No, not interested. Forget it. I'm going.

And with a few awkward parting words to the other guy who had been friendly with me all night and who I had already agreed to spend the following afternoon with, I left.

I cursed all the way back to my hotel - which thankfully wasn't far away. "Do I look like a fucking idiot?" Yes, it seems.

Anyway, I do now look a bit more/less like an idiot. I finally decided that the same two t-shirts I had been wearing one on one off (in the wash) was wearing a bit minging. I bought a shirt! It cost me less than a pound and I already feel loads more like a try-hard backpacker. It's all good.

Right, I've befriended three Israeli girls who are travelling together. They are quite entertaining in their inability to make any decision and makes me stronger in my resolve of travelling alone. I wonder how long my stretched patience will manage them!

Music lessons are still fun. I can sing songs about birds singing in trees sending messages of love to passers by. I even learnt one about asking my husband to buy me a new dress. I don't think I will be singing that one in public.

Ta da