Two American tourists have been left high and dry after a New Zealand
man they thought was their friend stole their car and left them stranded with
nothing else but the clothes they were wearing.
But
believe it or not, the pair say the experience has introduced them to the best
of Kiwi hospitality.
Alex and Adam Rahmlow were on the
trip of a lifetime, but their world tour turned sour when a local man ripped
them off.
After picking him up hitchhiking earlier that
week, they had shared food, money and company, and he had even offered them work
back in Auckland.
But they say they were just sucked
in.
"That's the hardest part," says Alex, "because you
start to question yourself, you know, 'Am I a good judge of character?' Because
he was our friend for three days [and we] didn't see it
coming."
A man known as Rusty stole their 1994 Mitsubishi
Lancer. In it were their clothes, cameras, money, passports, travel diaries –
everything.
Down to their last $20, the pair decided to
spend $10 on a hacky sack. The reason? They were almost out of money anyway, but
were likely to have a lot of spare time.
But that impulse
purchase led to a chance encounter.
"I was pretty gutted,
eh," says Jimi Smith. "It's pretty stink that there are people around here that
would do something like that to someone."
So Mr Smith
sorted them out for beds, food and even clothing.
"Help
them get back on their way, not let them be bummed out by one stink dude who
tried to ruin their travels," he says.
Despite their
misfortune, the brothers say it is not the theft they will remember
most.
"I've never met hospitality from complete strangers
like I have here," says Alex. "It hasn't happened."
Rusty
is now the star of a homemade ad campaign, and police have confirmed they are
interested in catching up with him.
As for Alex and Adam,
they have an anxious wait for new passports and emergency funds, but at least
they are among friends.
3 News