Bang Ups and Break-Ins

My poor car! Since moving to Naples my car has received more dings, dents, and scratches. It has been hit twice, once by an unknown either American or Italian in the parking garage at work and once I was run into intentionally by a trio of Italian "boys" in a completely junked Neapolitan car. Why did they run into me? The driver did not like the fact that I passed him, I am guessing. He did not hit me hard but just enough to cause damage to my delicate Honda bumper. My car was even dented by some American punching it while it was parked on the base. I am guessing it was a rogue teenager set to roam wild in what we term "the cage" which is the Navy's support site. It is completely fenced in so parent's feel safe letting the kids roam free and don't feel accountable for what their kids do. We call this christening of cars "being Napolized" (pronounced nah-pol-ized).

Along with all its bumps and bruises my car has been violated on several occasions. . The first time was at least three years ago. I was parked in our gated parking area and I very wrongly left an empty packet of gas coupons in the center console for any gypsy or thieving Napolitano to see. They broke out one of the small back windows to get to it and in the process got a walkman and several Cd's. It took a bit of time for me to replace that window and I was grateful that they kindly did not break one of the larger ones. This taught me NEVER to leave anything in my car and now, while it is parked in the gated area I do not even bother to lock the doors. This practice almost cost me my car on a couple of occasions. Twice we awoke to find our gate had been forced open but both cars were still there. I am not sure what happened, whether they couldn't get the cars started (mine has to have the key with the computer chip in it) or if they were interrupted but after the second attempt we started padlocking our gate and have never had another issue like it.

On December 11th I attended our Christmas Party at a lovely Italian restaurant in Pozzuoli. There were about 17 American couples. I was in a tizzy because I could not find the restaurant and my beloved Tom Tom was not working. After about twenty minutes of driving back and forth I finally found the restaurant and in a dither I broke my one cardinal rule. I dumped my Tom Tom and it's accessories in the glove box. As I locked the doors and walked away I realized I had forgotten my white elephant gift and returned to the car to retrieve it. I was sure I locked the doors. The evening was splendid with wonderful food, fun games (the white elephant gift exchange), and great company. I got in my car to depart and was confused to see the contents of my glove box piled neatly on my seat and my glove box opened. A moment later it dawned on me that someone had been in my car! Cleesy (that is my pet name for my Tom Tom because we downloaded John Cleese's voice) was gone! I did not tell any of the other guests of my misfortune. I hate to be made a fuss over. And besides, those thieving you know whats got a broken Tom Tom for all their trouble! Along with all these thoughts I beat myself up because I figured I must have left the doors unlocked.

Well, I posted my mishap on facebook and was informed by another of the guests that I was not the only victim. Larry, one of our surveyors, suffered the misfortune of a damaged passenger door but they only got his sunglasses. Aaron, one of our techs and the responder to my note, got hit much worse. They got his sunglasses, Tom Tom, car stereo, 140 liters of gas coupons, and other things. He was devastated and suggested I check my car for damage. I stood at the back of the car and glanced down the side. I saw nothing and did not inspect further and I figured they must have gained access because I did not lock my doors. Several days passed and bits and pieces of information trickled in, like the parking lot attendant just "happened" to be home sick that night. This set my suspicions on fire and I strongly feel we were a hit. He called his buddies because the "rich" Americans were going to be easy and lucrative targets. He calls in sick and he is covered. I am probably right. This is Naples, after all. Anyway, after a few days I was parking my car in the car park and some little inkling told me to walk to the passenger side and take a peek. The damage you see in the photo is how they got in my car. At least I don't have to beat myself up for leaving the doors unlocked anymore, because I didn't.