We got an early start this morning, to see the city of Lujan, which we had heard has an interesting zoo and beautiful main square. As we drove through the final toll before our exit, a policeman outside the toll exit waved over our car. He asked Sean for the standard paperwork (here it's license, Argentine ID, passports, registration, insurance, car shipping info) and then told Sean to get out of the car. I watched their exchange, and saw a lot of talking (Sean) and a lot of crazy arm movements (cop). About 10 minutes later, Sean, on hold with the Embassy on his cell phone, walks up to my window and says, "This isn't going well." My favorite phrase to date.
Supposedly the cop didn't believe our car was in the country legally (despite all of our paperwork and the fact that one can't exactly drive an import vehicle down to Argentina) and told us he was going to take our car into custody. He then proceeded to yell at an Embassy staffer on the cell who, like Sean, was trying desperately to explain to the irate guy that the paperwork should suffice. When we were first pulled over, Sean also handed the cop an official letter from the Embassy, which explained the international license & diplomat car info, but the cop basically threw the paper, saying, "Who signed this? I don't know this person. This could be anyone."
He's right, this isn't going well...
Almost an hour later, Sean casually hops into the car, stack of his papers in hand, and we drive off. Of course I ask what all of you are thinking, "What the heck just happened there?" Basically, the guy wanted a bribe. Not only are there street criminals here; non-violent muggers who just want quick pesos for drugs or groceries, there are also cops making the equivalent of $6 an hour, who have nothing to lose by harassing 'rich' foreigners.
Sean didn't give him a single centavo, but we immediately started a 'corrupt cop' jar for our spare change. What ended the standoff was an Embassy staffer explaining to the policeman that he would get the Argentine Ministry of Defense involved. Then he asked for the cop's full name, and apparently at that point, the cop knew he had gotten in way over his head.
Adios mullet head.
5 comments:
OMG! That sounds like something out of a movie! Sean really kept his cool and all turned out okay BUT that must have been scarier than the crazy bus ride!
I have heard this happens here, but we've never experienced it yet (thank goodness)! I would have been freaking out.
The photo is PRICELESS!!! And now you know what to say the next time this happens :)
Wow, you always hear about these things! Glad you walked away without paying out an arm and a leg!
Go Sean. Good job not buckling to his bullshit. I hear so many people jut pay because they are scared.
Post a Comment