What is the scariest thing you experienced in another country?

South America, Quito to be exact.

I was getting Spanish lessons from a local woman who used to show me around places with little to no tourists. One day we decided to go to a club, in the middle of the day (so i thought it was safe, daylight and everything). Latin music blasting, disco lights, and everybody sharing beer from little plastic cups. We really had a great time dancing and talking to locals.

Suddenly the atmosphere changed... I can't understand whats going on (since Im not fluent in Spanish). Finally, she tells me whats happening, we are locked in... someone has barricaded the door from outside. Im freaking a little bit out. She tells me to get my passport. I was wearing a lame tourist fannypack thing, so I took it out. Minutes later the doors open. And people start moving to the exit. Now Im freaking out... wth is going on!

I see light, and police, maybe a hundred. NOT KIDDING. They were standing in two rows on each side of the exit with bullet proof vests, helmets and rifles (i think, not a weapon expert). Two buses of law enforcement at least. Several cars. It was surreal. I knew I hadn't done anything wrong, but still, it was super scary. I never found out why they were raiding the place, but my guess is drugs or she said they were looking for someone. That last part is scary, they locked us inside with this someone...

Had several other crazy stuff happen on that trip, but that was the most surreal, haven't seen that much police/military in my life.

/r/AskReddit Thread