Aug 22 2007
Crime
The last couple of days I told Linde that there is not much crime here ó after which she promptly forgot to close the guestroom window when she went away.
But I spoke too soon, because last night someone smashed in my car window. He (let’s assume it wasn’t a she) only stole a $40 iPod charger, and cut the cord that went into the cassette player, but the damage done was much bigger. The back window is also scratched, and is loose in it’s fitting, so I might need to replace that as well.
I made a tour along the alley and at least three more cars had smashed windows. I talked to one of the owners and she had 10 CDs stolen. It looks very much like a junkie who needed easy money.
So now I have to go to the police to file a report, and to the car window company to ask for a quote. I have a deductible for the insurance, so it probably won’t be worth it to claim the damage. Grrrr.
Update: Police rapport filed (they even helped me 10 minutes before their official opening time). Window will be replaced today. Total replacement cost 550$.
Update 2: I just noticed that the thief also stole a packet of dropjes (Dutch liquorice) that I kept in the car. And the window replacement guys found a ring, that isn’t mine nor Alison’s so might have been of the thief. He has big fingers and a bad taste in jewellery.
Wednesday, 22 August, 2007 @ 10:25
I feel your pain.
Monday night I, and a few others, had their wallets and cell phones stolen at the YMCA on Parc. Nothing like spending the evening calling the banks, getting new replacements, having to go get your new licence, etc.
Wednesday, 22 August, 2007 @ 11:25
FUCK!
Wednesday, 22 August, 2007 @ 13:08
Here in holland we have pieces of paper in the cars which tells the windowsmasher there is nothing valuable in the car
Wednesday, 22 August, 2007 @ 17:06
Damn, very sorry to hear it. While we don’t have much violent crime, we do have quite a bit of the petty stuff, theft especially. I’ve been pickpocketed twice in my life–not in Belgrade, not in Oakland, not in downtown Detroit, but in Montréal. Go figure.
Wednesday, 22 August, 2007 @ 22:48
The worse thing is that I often leave the doors open. I just forget to lock them. Not this time. And the rear door doesn’t lock at all. If the thief had tried that one I’d have saved some money.
But I’m not really stricken by it. It happens and I’m not going to change my life because of it. I had several breakins in my car in the Netherlands. Once a thief was extremely lucky, because I had forgotten my Powerbook in it. In the trunk, not visible and only for 20 minutes. He was so happy he forgot to steal other things in the car, like a bag with and expensive video digitizer.
Thursday, 23 August, 2007 @ 07:54
Are you insured?
Saturday, 25 August, 2007 @ 04:33
Hello, my name is rae. I found your blog while searching for a recipe for griesmeelpudding, and got completely sidetracked. I have read your entire blog, although unfortunately not the comments because i did not realize they were there until the VERY end (technically the beginning) since i started at your most recent entry. it also took me awhile to catch on to the fact that i was in effect reading backwards, like reading a book back to front. as you might have guessed, blogs are new to me. :) your story is very interesting. Interesting because you are Dutch and Alison is Canadian and you live in Quebec. All of which is exotic to me, i live in Arkansas. which is not exotic. very boring in fact, unless you like bingo or fishing.
i have traveled a bit, when i was a kid i lived in indonesia for four years. But i have only been to britain, not on the continent and never to Canada, which is so close compared to where i have been it is strange i have not gotten a chance to go yet. It seems interesting the french and british mingling of culture ( and clashes, it seems) and the simularities and differences with the usa. Reading your blog makes the world seem a lot smaller, but in a cozy way. I hope your mother is well, say hi to Alison, and pet the dogs, and thanks for sharing.
PS, i have been wondering, how did you and Alison meet?
Saturday, 25 August, 2007 @ 06:51
Hi there Rae,
We met through the Internet!
Monday, 10 September, 2007 @ 14:31
wat leuk dat vreemden jouw blog gaan lezen…!