Submitted by the Men’s Breakfast
At our February 2025 meeting, Daryl undertook double duty heading the kitchen and presenting vignettes of his life on the road while working in 3rd World and Developing countries. Twenty years ago, Bob Bennett (now deceased) had asked Daryl to give a presentation on his experiences and adventures while travelling for his work in geology and forestry. Daryl found it a soul-searching event and offered to update his talk.
Over the years he had undertaken projects in Romania, Nigeria and numerous countries in South America, none of which offer the security of Canada. His adventures included pick pocketing attempts in Romania, Argentina and Brazil (only one being successful!); being temporarily ‘detained’ by local police (with guns) seeking ‘remuneration’; ‘visiting’ the inside of a Nigerian jail (not recommended); experiencing a Nigerian State Park safari on foot in 40 degree weather (the safari truck broke down as did everything mechanical in Nigeria); and more.
In one case, having just landed in Lagos he was met by his agent driving a brand new Nissan Pathfinder filled with computers, generators and much more needed to train FORMECU staff – the Nigerian federal forestry agency. The vehicle was stopped at the first corner outside of the airport by 4 cops lined up outside his door…”Let me see your passport said the nearest officer.” As his passport was passed to the second officer and beyond (note to file, never hand your passport to anyone!), the first stated… “Give us $200.” Now, if someone had told him he would be in this situation before he boarded the plane in Toronto, well as you can guess… However, once in the situation one reacts and learns a whole bunch about oneself. At first he told them he only had Naira (local currency) but it was late and he knew that if he wanted to move on without having the vehicle pulled apart, he would have to give them something in U.S. dollars. “I only have $50.” “He only has $50”…passed on the first cop to those in his rear. This turned out to be enough and his passport was returned. By the way, he had approximately $7,000 U.S. in a backpack at his feet.
Pick-pocketing experiences are actually pretty interesting, once you recover from the trauma. Each is different and can be described as mini theatrical performances. Coincidently, while walking along a narrow street beside the Teatre Colon in Buenos Aires, Daryl’s colleague and he were sprayed with a mixture of mustard and something green which kind of looked like wet bird feces. Unaware, they continued to the next block where a street person ran toward them pointing in the air yelling “ave, ave, ave” (bird) and “mierde, mierde, mierde” (you know). At the same time a taxi pulled up and two young people got out whereby they proceeded to wipe down the back and rear end of my colleague. Not sure what to make of this but knowing it wasn’t normal, Daryl backed away to check himself for bird mierde. As he looked back at Derrick, the two helpers were getting back in the cab and he was yelling “I’ve been picked!!”. They got his VISA card, hotel key and $100.00 U.S. which, to Daryl, was worth the price of the performance.
There’s more and if you are interested in any other of his adventures, feel free to ask him when you see him. He claims all are 100% true.
By the time of this printing, the March Breakfast has been held, and a recap will follow in the next Press edition.
Our next Breakfast will be held April 12th. We will have one of a couple of choices for an excellent speaker, which will be announced soon. Please contact Steve at mensbreakfastnsbp@gmail.com if you are planning to attend.
