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Post by Stephen CT on May 20, 2003 12:51:50 GMT -5
OK, having gone through every bit of info on backpacking Europe, 2 questions remain unanswered, namely:
1. What the heck do you do with your money belt when you are taking a shower?
2. Do you get assigned beds in a dorm or is it first come first serve (marking your territory with your backpack)?
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Post by Kim on May 20, 2003 13:10:12 GMT -5
Money belt.. always bring it with you, even to the showers. Some places have little private cubicles with a changing area, which is perfect. Others just have hooks. Make sure just to put it where you can see it, and hide it under some clothes.
If you are really concerned, there are water proof money belts as well as these little waterproof capsule things that you can hang around your neck.
Dorms.. depends on the hostel. Some will tell you what bed you are in - if they don't, you can assume it's first come first serve and claim a bed by throwing your stuff on it.
Kim
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snorkelman
Senior Travel Member
Travel Guru
Posts: 220
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Post by snorkelman on May 21, 2003 13:05:55 GMT -5
Kim gave you (as the Brits say, "Spot on" advice). Yes you mark your territory with your big backpack.
As for the money belt, it might be easy to remember how you should treat it by the following:
You are thousands of miles from home. If your money belt is lost or stolen, what do you do? You will need to get to an embassy and spend a while (sometimes a few days) having them issue an emergency replacement passport.
Okay that is a pain, right? Well consider this. The embassy might only be located in one city in the whole country. What happens if you are not in that city? Then you will need your Eurail pass to travel to that city by train. oops, your Eurail pass was in your moneybelt. That means that when the conductor checks on you, you will not have a Eurail pass or a passport. Big trouble, plus fine (oops, your money was in that moneybelt too!).
So, now you should see why it is worth the inconvenience of always keeping your moneybelt on your body or within eyesight.
Also, you might see a good reason to stash a small amount of cash deep within your backpack so you have some spare emergency cash. But remember that you will leave that backpack alone at the hostel during the day, so don't leave more than about 50 Euro in the backpack.
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Post by nitsansh on May 21, 2003 14:23:55 GMT -5
You didn't ask what you do with your wallet when you sleep... so I'll tell you what I do... put it inside the pillow case (shhhh... I hope no thief is reading this...)
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Post by Kim on May 21, 2003 14:26:13 GMT -5
Yeah, you can even sew a little pocket into your pillow case (if you are taking your own) or sleep sheet for this, quite handy!
Kim
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Post by Stephen CT on May 24, 2003 1:47:32 GMT -5
Thanks, that advice will come in handy.
I actually got my mom (who is handy with sewing) to make a pocket with a zip in my sleepsheet right under my pillow.
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Post by Numbers on Oct 18, 2003 2:17:57 GMT -5
Or... you could design a few socks with mini pockets inside of them! That is what I intend on doing.  Sure, if you're mugged, your bag/wallet/money belt/shoes will be taken - but who is going to ask to see your socks?  |
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Post by Kim on Oct 18, 2003 10:06:33 GMT -5
That's true, good idea! Maybe you could market it!
I could also use them when I go running, I hate it when you have nowhere to put your keys and some money!
Numbers - in the "Living Room" there is a thread called "Introduce Yourself". It would be great if you would tell us a little about yourself, your trip and that sort of thing. It's great to get to know everyone!
Kim
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Post by WillTravel on Oct 18, 2003 15:19:45 GMT -5
On the menda.com.au site I saw a leg pouch. This looks like it could be a lot easier than a money belt (at least for my physique).
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Post by me on Oct 18, 2003 16:18:56 GMT -5
advice i've heard: seal-up the money belt in a zip-lock bag and take it into the shower with you. it can be set onto the knobs, where you can keep an eye on it while showering. JUST DON'T WALK OFF AND LEAVE IT THERE!! Money belt.. always bring it with you, even to the showers. Some places have little private cubicles with a changing area, which is perfect. Others just have hooks. Make sure just to put it where you can see it, and hide it under some clothes. |
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rookie
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 92
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Post by rookie on Oct 28, 2003 15:34:39 GMT -5
About the money belt and shower thing, it's okay to keep in on the window ledge 4 feet away as long as it's always in sight. The only time I'd see it as a problem is if there's 10 shower stalls, they're all full and people are walking all over the place.
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