Valparaíso chile - please be careful

I want to share something that happened to me today as a warning to others.

I was assaulted in Valparaíso while walking with my dad. I wasn’t alone, and it still happened. I made the mistake of wearing a visible gold chain that my aunt had given me years ago. Out of nowhere, four guys came up to me, hit me, and tried to rip it off my neck. Before I really understood what was happening, I was on the ground being punched while they kept grabbing for the chain. They didn’t stop until they got it.

I was lucky it didn’t end worse, but I did get hurt. Obviously, I regret wearing something valuable so openly—but getting attacked like that, in broad daylight and not even alone, was shocking.

I’m sharing this so others stay alert. Don’t wear visible valuables, and be extra careful even if you’re with someone else. I’ve also had friends visit in the past who had their car windows smashed and belongings stolen, so this isn’t an isolated kind of risk.

Stay safe out there.