My passport? Certainly...
I can't remember if I've posted this before...

Anyway: in 1999 I was travelling through Africa. The crossing between Tanzania and Kenya was a chaotic little place, and we got held up for a while. I went off for a wander around the stalls that had sprung up.

A guy approached me and told me that I had to follow him to show my passport. I assume I was tired, because I followed him. Moreover, not only did I fail to ask why or to ask for identification - I also failed to pay any attention to the fact that he was wearing Adidas shorts, a jumper and flipflops. In short, he was not the most official looking person ever.

I heard my name being called as I wandered into a building with him. It was V, my travelling companion.
"Enzyme! What the hell are you doing?"
"Oh, this guy just wants to see my passport..."
"What? Who is he?"
"Oh, I don't know. I won't be a moment."

V, rightly, went ballistic. I'm still amazed at my gullibility - I don't know what'd've happened had she not noticed me wandering off - but it goes to show that you can convince anyone of anything if you have the confidence.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 22 Aug 2008, 15:17, 2 replies)

...
It's frightening just what you can get yourself into if you're not paying attention.

I very nearly did something similar in Brazil, only to have my friend (who was particularly cynical of everything) chase after me, pull me back into the street and tell me off like a naughty five year old.

I just wanted to see the paintings, maybe even buy one... is that really so bad?

Apparently it is, yes.
( Moey, Fri 22 Aug 2008, 15:26, closed)

On the other hand...
... I could have been killed. Then I'd've been famous.

For a bit.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 22 Aug 2008, 15:31, closed)