Sunny place. Shady people.
They say that about Florida in general, but I feel that saying is more appropriate on the beach.
If you grow up in South Florida, you know that there are multiple FREE events, openings and promotions you can attend - pretty much ANY DAY and EVERY day of the week, reducing your spending to about -$0- which is GREAT especially if you are a college student.
Well, That was my life in 2003. I was an event hopper. I was invited to any and all events, mostly because of lists I would put my name on. I would spend months hopping from event to event, Monday- Saturday.. not spending a dime. It was pretty great. Not gonna lie. I wish I still had the energy to do that.
Anyway, this story takes place on the night that OPA Taverna was set to open up in Miami Beach. For those who don't know what that is - It's a Greek restaurant where people throw plates and dance on tables when you eat.
It's great place for a first date. Loud and Obnoxious.
I went with 3 friends - Denise, Ana and Mandy - We all hopped in my little beetle, and drove off to the event that was hosted by Ocean Drive Mag and promised to have free entrance and free drinks.
I parked the car on 100 and Collins, got out, locked the car and began walking down the street towards the restaurant. At that exact moment, my cell phone rang. I open my clutch, take out the phone, and place the clutch, OPEN, under my arm again - At this point the group was walking in front of me, because I'm slow, and was multi-tasking.
I had noticed a young man behind me when I got out of the car, but didn't think anything of him.
As i place the purse under my arm, I hear running behind me and feel the guy PULL the purse out from under me!
I COULDN'T believe it! I immediately started running after him, in HEELS! YELLING to drop the purse and that i was going to kill him! There was no money in the purse! All there was - was an ID and my debit card. My friends started yelling at that point to stop running, that he might have a gun and they started running too! We caused such a commotion!
I was never able to catch up to him (smoking is bad - don't do it)
He jumped into a ford focus hatch back, and drove off.
I was in tears. Mostly because I was FURIOUS! I was left with my cell phone in hand my friend had picked up my CAR KEYS which had flown out of my purse that was still open when he stole it.
I immediately called to cancel my debit card. So they were unable to use it.
Luckily, people sitting at the restaurant outside of 100 and Collins saw all this, and WROTE down the license plate number of car.
Police were called, and we were asked to drive to the police station for questioning and to look through 23456789 mug shots.
We must have spent what felt like 4 hours there.
No drinks. No party. No nothing.
I was so upset by the time I left the police station, I took my police report in hand, got in my car with my friends, and went to Purdy lounge. My Police report was the only thing i had on me - and it was my only tool for free drinks from the bar tender.
Yes, I was just robbed. Yes, I still went out.
The rest of the case went pretty smoothly. The kids were caught, they each (3) paid me $310.00. And I was able to by a new LV clutch.
The kid that robbed me was in the US illegally and unfortunately had himself and his family deported because of his actions.
<<lesson learned>>
