Lesson Learned

So before I left on this trip, the director of the center I work for warned me numerous times to be careful of where I went in Phoenix because there were some "bad parts." I shrugged it off as him being overprotective. Well, last night I found out why he warned me. I finished up work late last night and decided to go to the nearest gas station to fill up my rental car so I wouldn't have to worry about it before going to the airport. Things were going fine until the receipt I needed for the gas didn't print at the pump so I had to go into the gas station. Let's just say I didn't "fit in." Well, while I am not so patiently waiting in line to get my receipt I witnessed a robbery. Well, technically it was not a robbery because no weapon was involved that I saw but robbery sounds more dramatic. Plus, it wasn't money they were after it was large cases of beer. So the store clerk stops helping people and calls the police while everyone is helping with the description of the thief. So I am standing there wondering if I really do want that receipt after all and I am concerned that I left my wallet on the front seat of my unlocked car. I had to decide whether I wanted the receipt or risk having my wallet and/or car stolen. Luckily, another clerk helped me and I got my receipt and got out of there as soon as possible. I now know where to avoid next time, lesson learned.