Policia

On Tuesday night I had my first run-in with the police. I left my flat just after 6pm to walk a few blocks away to capoeira. It was dry that hour due to the early sunset of the winter sun. It was only my second time going to capoeira so I needed a little extra direction to get there.

As my friend and I turned the corner we were instantly greeted by four (4) police officers asking for our originais (passport documents). "Let me see passporte", they said. (By the way, that's not a typo either). I never carry my passport around with me. I got a notarized copy of my passport the first week I was here and I usually carry that around with me. But of course the one time I don't carry it on me the policia decide it was time for a 'random stop'.

"Desculpe! No passport" Excuse me no passport I pleaded. Luckily, one of the officers was quite young and spoke very good English. He had the kindest looking face so I started talking with him explaining our circumstances. They wanted no part of it and continued to probe further, "What is in that bag?" My friend opened up his knap sack with his computer. "What is that? Is it legal?" the officer inquired. He wanted to see some sort of legal document for it, presumably a receipt, which we did not have. We continued to plead our case.

Then the officer cut to the chase, "How do we know you are not here illegally? How do we know the computer is not illegal? What do you suggest we do?" From his undertone it was pretty clear to me what he wanted - a fresca (drink). I informed him he was welcome to come over AFTER capoeira and he could drink all the soda his heart desired. However, at that moment I had no intention in giving him money to leave us alone.

He finally succumb to reason, and decided to let us go. I insisted we would return after capoeira with our passport documents, but he said it was okay, he was certain he would see us again. And he would ask for more than a fresca the next time.