Can't really grasp it

[wayfaringwordhack]

Someone stole our car last night.

J realized it this afternoon when he went out to get groceries.  A witness said it happened around 2 a.m.

Our car is old and not one that would typically be stolen. There are two likely possibilities:

1. It was stolen for parts,

2. It was stolen for "ransom."

Regarding possibility #2:  A Korean gentleman in our neighborhood had his car stolen some months back. He was contacted and asked for 12000 LE for the return of his car. He told the police; they pretty much shrugged and said he should pay it, so he did.

If we are in the same boat, J says he won't be paying. When he made the police report, he was disgusted by the lack of concern, etc. and feels that we can't expect much help from the police at the station where he went. Tomorrow, he'll try to get help from people associasted with the embassy.

Good thoughts/vibes/prayers are requested.

Sometimes things suck.  At least we have a lot to be grateful for, like the fact that no one was hurt. :-<

ETA: A conversation with frigg made me realize that I forgot to share something else: we can't buy another car to replace ours. We are only allowed to buy one during our stay in Egypt. If anything ever happens to your car (breaks down, is totalled, etc), you can't buy another. I'm too tired to look up the exact law, but I think this only applies to cars with diplomatic plates. So, if we don't get ours back, we'll have to finish the remainder of our stay carless.
 

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

Oh, no! I'm so sorry. Sending many good thoughts that they're able to help you find it. (Running and in one piece)

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the good thoughts.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

That is dreadful. I feel kind of anxious about your being targeted in this way. A car is one thing. Have you and J had talks about your actual individual safety? What a terrible thing.

I will most definitely say prayers.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Thank you, dear. We need them. I feel like we are in the "bad zone" now, target of all sorts of rotten luck (broken stroller, stolen car, and now J just told me Luna the rescue kitten is missing. :( )

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear it...

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

It is definitely a pain in backside and a worrisome thing to feel targeted.

[oiktirmos.livejournal.com]

I have a friend who works as a locksmith for the auto club; he unlocks cars when people lose their keys. He once was called in the inner city by an elderly couple and found their car had had all four wheels removed and the electronic dash and radio stripped from the interior. They begged him for help as they could not afford another car, but it was far beyond his power to help.
Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Fittingly, my Bible reading last night was Psalms 91. At university, I read that Psalm nightly, but never had it felt so pertinent to me than last night after this unfortunate situation.

[sunflower-sky.livejournal.com]

Oh no! :( We had our car stolen once. It's like a rug being pulled from under your feet. And that sucks that you can't get another one! How much longer are you guys in Egypt?

I hope this works out for the best...

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

It is a terrible place to be in, isn't it? Comes as a total shock and then leaves you feeling vulnerable and targeted.

We leave end of Oct 2016, so 16.5 months.

[sunflower-sky.livejournal.com]

Yes, exactly :-/

That's a long time to be carless! :(

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yeah. :-<

We did it for 6 months at the beginning, but that was with one less kid.

[oiktirmos.livejournal.com]

I hope mnfaure will forgive me for commenting in her journal, but Key Captcha blocked me from commenting in yours six times, even though I assembled the pictures correctly. Love your journal. Read it up to two years ago and would enjoy reading it again.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Hehe. No forgiveness needed. :P

[sunflower-sky.livejournal.com]

Do I know you by a previous LJ name? Since I made it friends-only about four years ago, I've been using it for pretty personal stuff, so I'd just like to know who you are. If you haven't introduced yourself before, send me a message through the LJ system or email me at sunflower.philosophy at gmail. :) (Also, you might enjoy the public blog I've been writing in the last six months or so: http://letterstojosep.wordpress.com :) )

[dlandon.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, this is a big huge pain in the butt and, yes, must also make you feel very insecure and unsafe :( I really do hope it's recovered in working condition and without having to pay to get it back. Enjoy your break in France, hopefully you can recharge :)

- D

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Very big pain in the butt. And a pain in the head because of the penalties we are going to have to pay if we don't get it back. :(

[clarentine]

Truly, I am a native of the First World, because I am completely boggled at the thought of being not allowed to buy another car. How extraordinarily ridiculous.

I love your eye for the play of light. I'm always trying to capture that sort of thing in my own shots and mostly failing (for that, I think my camera is to blame).

I hope the kitty makes it home okay. Man, all of this while you're so far away must be incredibly distressing. And adverb-ful, too, now that I read the preceding text. ;-) Best wishes for a better week to come.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Actually, J clarified something for me: We can buy another car but one with blue plates, meaning not diplomatic plates. It seems the diplo plates are not all they are cracked up to be, what with the huge "scam" customs perpetuates with leveling exorbitant fees at buyers if ever something happens to their cars (like the cars are stolen or unsold--basically you have to give customs your car...)