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Post by LHR02 on Jun 5, 2003 17:24:57 GMT -5
Like Kim...and others...I kept some 'daily' cash in my pockets, 20 - 50 bucks depending on days plans. But my tickets, passports, ATM and credit cards I always kept secured on me by a belt of some sort. And no, I was never robbed nor had any untoward incidents with gypsys, although I did enocunter some. It's to me just a no brainer....if I am robbed in say Tennessee, hey it's a b#tch, but I can surely get on home. If I am robbed in Warsaw, and they get my passport and cards...this could be a potentially HUGE deal for a few days. I think I am a pretty saavy traveler,,,,one saavy enough to know some of those pickpockets out there are more saavy than me.  The 'vital' things you take measures to guard. |
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Post by nitsansh on Jun 5, 2003 18:08:27 GMT -5
In my latest trip, the passport and flight ticket were in my pouch... and the credit cards in the wallet... only the spare money (I had about 400$ at the start of the trip) went into the belt... not the most clever guy...
Actually, passport is the most important item... you can't get out of the country without it! (and in my case, the countries in which I spent most of the time - Croatia and Slovenia - didn't even have a Israeli embassy!)
If your credit card or money is lost, you can arrange a money transfer, or get a new card issued and sent to you, but you'll need the passport to collect them... if the flight ticket is gone, you can buy another one (but it's pricy)... if you lost a rail pass, you can buy tickets, and if you purchased pass protection you'll get refund (but only after you come back)... but what would you do without passport, especially if you are far from your country's nearest diplomatic mission?
I now realize how careless I was... if my passport was stolen while I was in Croatia or Slovenia... how would I get a new passport if the nearest embassy is in Vienna or Budapest? I can't get there because without passport I can't get across borders! Anyone knows what's the solution in such case? It's a catch 22...
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Post by LHR02 on Jun 5, 2003 20:10:12 GMT -5
Well, as I said.....the 'vital' things you keep on you next to your skin. I would never have thought to keep my passport anywhere other than in my belt. And things that, while they can be replaced, could be a monetary trip breaker...ie air or rail tickets....those I consider 'need to be next to my back' as well. To each their own degree of priorities. My money.....much easier replaced than my passport...and less valuable in the long run.
I say again..I think it is foolhearty and reckless to travel without a money belt of some sort. And to use that belt to protect those things most vital to you.
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Post by nitsansh on Jun 5, 2003 22:12:34 GMT -5
I FULLY agree with you (and you know I rarely say that...)
Next time, the passport and flight ticket will be in the belt rather than a pouch... except when I fly because it's not convenient to strip off (well... not really) when you check in for your flight and go through border control... but this is the only occasion you need your flight ticket...
passport you also need for check in at hostels/hotels, and to cash travelers cheques (I think I'll have fewer of these next time), and you may be asked to present it by the train conductor (if you have a rail pass - I'll probably won't)
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Post by LHR02 on Jun 5, 2003 22:39:50 GMT -5
Be still my heart.....and all of you take note! ;D
Nitsansh and I rarely 'agree' so you can take this one to the bank.....fill, wear, and always use your money belt, no matter the configuration, to keep safe those items which the loss of can break your trip.
We all think we are 'safe' and can take care of ourselves.....don't chance it. This is the best 'tip' I think you will ever get from this or any board you visit. You can never imagine what a problem losing your passport can be....see Nitsansh's post above! In all probability the security of it will never be needed....but is the 'discomfort' of a money belt worth the risk?
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Post by me on Jun 5, 2003 22:56:23 GMT -5
Spain is where i had my pocket picked for the first and, so far, only time. they were gypsy women, i'd just come from an ATM. but, i got it all back. (it was just US$75 - US$100 worth of Pasetas; a pain, but it wouldn't have ruined the trip even if i hadn't gotten it back)
About 10 days later, my Dad was also pick pocketed in Spain, on a city bus. the guys took a little wallet, but threw it down as they ran away when they found no cash.
Passport, an ATM card, big cash, a credit card & a list of numbers (credit card numbers, important telephone numbers, numbers from airline tix, etc) are all i cary in my belt pouch. oh, and my rail pass. I also leave a copy of the "numbers list" at home, so they can fax it to me if i lose it.
Airline tix can be replaced at the airport (lots of travelers are robbed, airlines are used to it)
the most important thing is to keep your wits about you. both my dad & i realized that we were being pick pocketed as it happened. neither of us lost anything.
oh, if there are two (or more) travelling together; everyone should keep photocopies of eveyone elses important travel documents. a photocopy of a passport's info page will vastly speed replacement.
- d
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Post by Kim on Jun 5, 2003 23:10:18 GMT -5
You two agreeing? I feel like I should lock this post and preserve it! ;D
Kim
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Post by 4DTravel on Jun 5, 2003 23:25:01 GMT -5
I know people talk endlessly about the gypsies in the metro of Paris but I'm pretty sure that none of the residents of Paris go around wearing money-belts. And I'm pretty positive I won't either....................at least when I'm living there! ----------------- After you've been in the same city for a while you know the "safe" areas and the areas where extra caution is required. I've seen gypsies in Prague, St Petersburg and Lisbon. They all seemed to be under different "management" and about the only thing I saw in common was the way they dressed and their inclination to "panhandle". In St Pete when I was bored and looking for cheap entertainment I'd go watch them work over the tour groups. In Lisbon they seemed to have regular routes and assigned duties. In neither case did I worry about them nor did they bother me - I suppose they got used to having me around??? _______________________________________________________ I guess I'll wear a money belt on night trains and in the places I'm more likely to get jumped. Certainly not wearing one in Gimmelwald though! Oh and by money belt I mean the thing that goes around your calf. ----------------- I don't think that's technically a money-belt - but, HIIK wat to call it... Money-anklet??? __________________________________________________________ For someone, like me, who wears thongs so you won't ee an underwear line the notion of wearing a money belt underneath my clothing is bizarre................But I'll give in anywayz. ------------------- Thanks for the info - FWIW - I prefer underwear lines - Can we have a poll??? ;-) ______________________________________________________ or anything else................well the notion of gypsies running around every corner in Europe. It's strange! I mean I would assume that Central America would be ever SO MUCH MORE ghetto and dangerous than Western Europe! --------------- I think there MIGHT be a surplus of AK-47s in certain central American countries. Plus there I'd suppose there might be some people with a long memory who are VERY upset with the USA. Whereas with the Gypsies in Europe it isn't personal - it's just business. (IMHO) ______________________________________________________ And what happens to all those middle aged tour group type people. I'm pretty sure they don't wear money belts. -------------------- I dunno, it's hard to tell from the outside - but when they're in large groups the gypsies that I've seen go for the sympathy money (using crutches and infants) and the nusiance money (the IMPLIED "Give me money and I'll go away.") I've seen children grab the arms of automobile drivers (foolish enough to have the window down) and refuse to let go until bribed. I saw one wrap her arms around the leg of a friend of mine (on Nevsky In St Pete) and hang on while he walked and we discussed what to do. He finially stopped and peeled her arms apart. She then ran on down the street with another girl (both about 5-6 yrs) |
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Post by CuriousToronto on Jun 6, 2003 8:31:01 GMT -5
All these posts about agressive pan-handling remind me of my many visits to Los Angeles. NEVER in my life have I seen such tactics! Those people followed you..........................to you car.............from your car.......................they'd try to grab you!!! Not only that but if you were walking there would be like 4 pan-handlers who would get up spot you and run to intercept you. Very scary! Particularly since I was young (13) during the most agressive instance!  |
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Post by Patrick on Jun 6, 2003 12:11:19 GMT -5
While it's true that you get to know the safe areas of town and as you say 'the locals don't wear moneybelts'
- the locals also don't carry their passports around everywhere.
And yes, a lot of middle aged tourists with the tour groups do wear money belts. I do think money belts suck since they make you all sweaty, but you SHOULD have one and wear it.
I'd love to comment on the underwear/thong topic but unfortunately I think I'll have to restrain myself.
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Post by Kathy on Jun 7, 2003 21:02:35 GMT -5
I went on my first big trip last year. This sounds funny, but to get used to the money belt I wore it around the house for a week or so. Got so used to it, I often had to check and make sure it was there! The first few days I was home I would wake up and panic because I didn't feel it on.
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Post by LHR02 on Jun 8, 2003 12:38:15 GMT -5
>>>>>The first few days I was home I would wake up and panic because I didn't feel it on<<<<
LOL! I figured I was the only one who did that! Woke up many a time the first few nights home in just such a panic....plus remember on like my second day home was in Target with my friend, reached around out of habit and nearly had a heart attack! My face must have registered it quite well...what's wrong says she.....I'VE LOST MY MONEY BELT I nearly screamed!!! ;D Are you still wearing it here? she asked dumbfounded. ;D Yep, I felt rather foolish.
ging
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Post by Kim on Jun 8, 2003 14:21:33 GMT -5
That is too funny! However, being a person who misplaces things constantly, I do that all the time.. like with my wallet-even when it's in my hand! LOL (Hence the reason the boyfriend carries our valuables when we travel! I'm like ooooooh look at that and forget about everything!) |
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Post by Patrick on Jun 8, 2003 15:06:47 GMT -5
I'm just as bad, I'll be driving and feel my pocket and freak out because my keys aren't there... then I remember they're in the ignition.
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The 'vital' things you take measures to guard.
