Picture Not Taken Worth More than 1,000 Words

During the travels, I have found myself taking a number of photos of similar subjects, i.e., dogs in Guatemala and old French cars in Argentina.

I also find myself taking pictures of people lining up outside a bank. Something strikes me as odd when I see 100 people outside a bank´s doors. It is 2008. Why do banks have such lines?

As I was wandering through Salto, Uruguay today, on my way to Argentina, I came across a bank with a line around the corner. I got the camera out, as i had not taken enough photos of Salto, and panned across the bank to see if i could get a good shot. Not that I have a photographer`s eye, but I sometimes know what will make a bad photo.

The two policemen in front of the bank did not seem to be fans of people taking photos of those lined up outside a bank. They looked my way and called me over. I thought about making a run for it, however, I did not have my running shoes and I am not in shape for sprinting.

I went over to talk with the fine gentlemen. I didn´t catch much of their Spanish. I am fairly certain they were asking me why i was taking pictures of the bank. They demanded to see the camera and my ID. I have taken to carrying my license with me at most times, so I passed that off to one officer. I told the other that i did not take any photos of the bank, which I hadn´t because i could not get a good shot, and I showed him the last photos I had taken (just around the corner).

He seemed somewhat satisfied with the pics that he didn´t see, i.e., one of the bank. I, too, was happy not to have a pic of the bank. We chatted a bit. I didn´t want to be rude and rush off. After more than 5 minutes, I asked ¨Is everything okay?¨ and indicated that I was ready to leave. He told me to wait. I then realized that his partner was in the car waiting to hear back from HQ on whether or not there were any warrants out for my arrest.

My record is clean and 15 minutes later, I was on my way.

I have left the country and I am not looking back

bjm 13 March 2008