The best prank in Travel Blogging history.

After being arrested and almost going to jail in Manila my nerves were a mess. The whole ordeal didn’t end until 6am. Yes it was 6am when I finally got the nerves to bribe the cops and get them to leave me alone. After messaging my family and friends what happened I was exhausted and scared shitless. I made Robyn sleep in the same twin bed as I in the dorm and literally not leave my side until I left the Philippines. We had changed hostels like the US embassy recommended, but I was still scared to go out or do anything. I had been at the new hostel a while now and woke up from a nap when I checked my email. I saw the subject “INTERPOL Warrant PH-897b-3490 – Jaime Davila” and my heart started racing. I didn’t want to click on it, but needed to read the email so did. This is what it said:

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From: John Hilder, Attorney at Law <>
Subject: INTERPOL Warrant PH-897b-3490 – Jaime Davila

Message Body:
Mr. Davila,

I’m a Houston-based criminal attorney contacting you regarding INTERPOL Warrant PH-897b-3490 issued this morning for your arrest for an alleged public violation and possession of illegal substance in Manila.  I specialize in getting warrants like this dismissed before they turn into cross-border apprehension.

I have over 20 years experience including 7 years as a prosecutor for the International Police (INTERPOL).  I’ve seen cases like this before and know how to resolve this issue before it escalates to an extradition scenario.

Follow this link to see my resume and complete credentials:  http://bit.ly/UgD9zS

Please give me a call at 713-123-9876 or email me at houston9876@gmail.com.

I hope this email reaches you in time.

John Hilder
Attorney at Law
711 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Website:  http://bit.ly/UgD9zS

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This mail is sent via contact form on Breakaway Backpacker http://breakawaybackpacker.com

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I could not believe it, how the fuck did an attorney at home know I was arrested and almost went to jail already? This happened less than 24 hours ago. I didn’t click on any of the links or anything. I looked up what an “INTERPOL Warrant” was and found out it’s a system governments use to get information for people who have been arrested abroad. My heart was still racing and thought, “fuck if I’m on this system will I even be able to leave the country?”. I was so scared and had no clue what to do. Then I ran through everything that happened that night and remembered clearly that I never gave the cops any of my information, hell they never even asked. I kept wondering how the fuck would they have gotten my information. I finally went and grabbed Robyn and asked her what I should do. She told me “Jaime calm down have you even clicked on the link to see his credentials?”. I told her no because I didn’t want them to know I even saw this email, I think I’m going to go ahead and book a ticker home (I’m so damn dramatic I can’t help it). She said “Jaime click on the damn credentials  and find out who it is.” So I clicked on the link and this photo came up:

I was so fucking upset that I wanted to cry, but couldn’t stop laughing. I kept saying, “y’all are fucking assholes, why would y’all do that?” she replied, “because we love you and just had to do it”. Oh man it was such a fucking relief, but I was so damn upset at them because I couldn’t believe they pulled this prank on me.

You see Robyn is best friends with Matt & Tran owners of the awesome guide website Backpack Forever. Like most bloggers we had known each other for years, but never met until on the road. They are all from Houston (like me) and have traveled together extensively and I finally met them during my time in Thailand. We spent a few days together in the paradise island of Koh Tao and man did we have a blast. I loved that we were all from Houston and could talk about home and they were also bloggers so we could gossip about bloggers and you know all that fun stuff. They even managed to convince me to scuba dive, something I am terrified of doing and well yah my failed attempt at scuba diving in Koh Tao was a mess.

We later Skype-d and I was still upset at them, but couldn’t stop laughing. I mean it was honestly a great prank. I seriously thought I was going to be stopped at customs and not get out of the Philippines. I was also mad at them because of ALL the photos they could have used for a “FREE JAIME” campaign they used the photo of us being “Houston ghetto” in Koh Tao. I told them that I loved that I at least know they would start a campaign to get me out. That’s something I have talked to Jess & Dani from Globetrotter Girls and a few others about. I’ve mentioned that if for some reason I ever get locked up abroad I’d hope all bloggers unite and use our social media power to move mountains and get me out.

I can now laugh about me almost going to jail in Manila and I crack up laughing at the prank Matt & Tran pulled on me. I am a huge prankster and have pulled some crazy pranks back at home when I worked in an office. It’s something I missed about being on the road the chances of pulling a prank are hard. I guess on the road travel bloggers become kind of like our co-workers even though we’re not obviously, but you know what I mean. So the reason I am calling this the best prank in Travel Blogging history, is because I have never heard of a blogger pulling a prank on another blogger and quite honestly this prank was a good one. I mean come on read the email I can’t believe I really was about to book a ticket home had it not been for Robyn telling me to click on the link. Ahh I love you guys and um now that we are all in Houston we need to get together!!!

What do you think about this prank?

Any of you bloggers out there… have you pulled a prank on any other blogger?