Stolen Moment

My wife, two kids and I just returned from a trip to Cancun, Mexico. We were fortunate enough to be staying at the Ritz-Carlton, the finest hotel in Cancun. Unfortunately, someone ripped us off while poolside.

After enjoying lunch by the poolside cafe, we placed our beach bag and inconspicuous camera bag beside our lounge chairs and walked the 25 or so yards across the pool area, down the steps and onto the hotel’s public beach. In our bags were sunglasses, snorkel equipment, camera, six rolls of shot film, a little money, clothes and, most importantly, our basic trust in people. Boy, were we wrong.

Since it was easy to rule out someone walking off the beach and onto the hotel property (it was midday and there were guests and hotel staff all around the pool), we are convinced it was either a hotel guest or an employee. We were gone for only about 15 minutes.

Let this be a warning to any traveler, domestic or abroad: Regardless of where you are staying (even a five-star world-class hotel), don’t get too relaxed.

DAVE DONCHEY

Diamond Bar