I got busted by the cops in Mexico, for having sex with a local.  He was this young, handsome Latino who could barely speak English, but somehow charmed me into thinking he was the one.  He could dance, he was smooth, and he was charming.  

We met each other while supporting the cruise ships and the market and immediately felt the click.  We started hanging out all the time.  When I wasn’t studying or working at the local orphanage, we were together.  The guy running the program wasn’t too happy about it.  He was already of the opinion that I was a slut and doomed for terrible things in my life and highly disapproved of this relationship. 

Young, and full of piss and vinegar, I defied him and continued to hang out with this guy.  He would pick me up after a day of working at the orphanage and we’d go for a drive.  He’d drive me to a secluded beach and we’d spend time making out and talking very little due to the language barrier.  

One night, things got a little hot and steamy, more so than usual, and I found myself half-naked on the beach.  It was late, and there was no one around, so I felt safe. 

Until I saw the flashing lights and panicked. 

I had not had great experiences with cops up to this point, and this was no exception. I was freaked out.  Being a white woman in a foreign country and unable to speak the language, I had to put all my faith into this man I barely knew. 

He went over to the cops and got into a heated discussion.  There was plenty of arm waving and a lot of yelling.  I had very little understanding of what was being said, but I was soon to find out the jist of it.  My friend came over to me and asked me how much money I had with me.  I took out my wallet and gave him what I had, which wasn’t much. 

It was enough to pay the cop off though, and he drove away without a second glance.  I knew that bribing police in Mexico was common, but now I had first-hand experience.  Terrified, humiliated, and ready to go back to the house, I climbed in his car and he drove me back without another word. 

I vowed to myself at that moment that I would never be caught in that predicament again. 

I chose to make the best of those last few weeks in Mexico, and get my act together.  I knew I couldn’t continue making all these mistakes and that I needed to pull up my big girl pants.  I threw myself into my work and spent more hours at the orphanage.  Those children were beautiful and so loving. 

They reminded me of a better time in my life, and I opened my heart to the work. 

I left Mexico a few weeks later, armed with a fake Bachelor of Education that I had spent $1000 and six weeks in Mexico to receive.  Leaving Mexico, I planned to get a job overseas and go to a country with severe punishment for drug use.  I chose Indonesia, thinking that it was close enough to Australia I’d be able to see my friend there, and far enough away from Canada I couldn’t get into any more trouble.