Safety in foreign lands

[bdsouza]

travellers cheques are fine if there isn't another option. If you have sufficient time before your holiday, consider getting an ATM card - depending on the Bnak it should only take about 1-2 weeks to arrive. Most London Tube stations (not Metro - that's Paris)are open as long as there are tubes running, and you can pay with a credit card if you don't want to take cash for a very short stay. Even though it's more expensive with the fees, for a relatively small amount it's worth thinking about. I personally have never had hassle with jewellery, but it may be worth making a list of he iems you are taking and getting it 'stamped'/certified by the notary who can look through your documents. Some insurance companies are quite good in that if you have the items on file already with them, they can list those items with their appraised value (especially if you have separate cover for pricey items, they will be on a separate list in the policy detail). One comment about putting bags over one shoulder - while it's true that they offer some deterrent, people passing by on bikes are not aware of that and might snatch it anyway - one person staying at the same hotel as I was in Rome was dragged along some distance and had to wear a surgical collar and wrenched her shoulder because her bag was snatched by someone who did not see that it was actually worn over - they cut it with a knife eventually and left her lying in the street. Only carry a bag if you have to. If not small rucksacks with a lock, and ones that have a tie around the waist/across the chest are the best. If you have valuables inside, then wear it around the front. BDS

[omegaet]

funtimes wrote:

We will be traveling to Europe - any suggestions concerning safety? We read about pickpockets. Any ideas to safeguard money and credentials? Thanks in advance for your insights ...Funtimes

funtimes.......during our past several trips, we have developed our"standard package" of scanned images and (update when necessary) attach the files to emailswe send to our own email addresses. We do this because the internet seems to be availableat almost all of the destinations we visit.



Our "standard package" contains copies of: our passports, our credit cards, our insurance cards, our home medical contacts, family names, telephone numbers, and addressesAND telephone numbersfor our local embassy and/or consulate office in the country in which we are traveling. We have witnessed travelers getting into major problems, far away from home, and having little or no idea how to access basic data.



The first digital photos we take before we depart home on every trip are severalimages of our luggage (this has assisted us recently), they show the "condition" and a full visual description.



We have become "minimalists" in terms of carrying anything in crowds.



If othermembers have suggestions for additional information we have overlooked, please post it or send me a private message.

[cruisinred]

funtimes-

You've already received a number of great suggestions, but here are a few others for you.



1) always walk like you know where you are going, if you do not. I am often asked if I am a local or an expat living somewhere, because I always walk quickly and confidently....less likely to be a target for those that prey on tourists.



2) be especially aware and alert of those around you in crowds and on public transportation.



3) I also concur with the above poster regarding scanned copies of important document stored on email. Greatly simplify things should the need arise.

Message Edited by cruisinred on 01-26-200705:54 AM

[lhbrown]

Hi funtimes,
If you want to play it safe to avoid any hassle coming back into the US, go to the customs office at the airport you leave from and register your belongings with the customs services. I did this with my brand new Nikon and also with an expensive swiss watch, as well as a fur coat. This move was suggested by the US customs office. I followed their advice, but coming back, I didn't need to show proof for any of the stuff I took over to Europe. On the other hand, I had the proof if it would have been needed.

[bdsouza]

one word of caution regarding the storage on email of credit card information or other money-access accounts. Make sure that if you need to access them, or wherever they are stored, they are behind a firewall. It's always possible that someone might hack into your 'database' and then they will have your information.

[lhbrown]

Hi bdsouza,
I would have to agree with you - it could be risky to store this kind of info on the e-mail, you never know who comes after you on a public computer, and how computer savey those people are. I would opt for the old fashioned way of copying the info and keeping it in a safe place while traveling.

[thetwilites]

I always split my currency up and keep some in each pocket, never in my wallet. On a trip to Brazil once, I purchased an extra wallet and put a few dollars in it and put it in my back pocket, sure enough it was taken, but they didn't bother anything else. Don't ever let your luggage out of your sight, and don'tletanyone lead you off a main street trying to "help" you with directions. Also, my friendhad an expensive watch taken right off his arm, so now I travel with aninexpensive watch and leave my good jewelry at home.

[funtimes]

Thanks again everyone Thetwilites - hello new user -your name sounds like a musical group! Thanks for the suggestion I will definitely take inexpensive jewelry and split my money up now. One idea I just read in Fodors that I never would have thought of is to bring binoculars on the trip - not a safety issue , but certain to assist in sightseeing. ...Funtimes

[lhbrown]

Hi funtimes,
Binocs are a great travel asset. I always bring mine, they are especially great in the mountains to see the wildlife.

[AlistairT]

Market Stalls - BEWARE...

We bought some fantastic paintings in Venice from a stall and within half an hour they had been stolen...We had no idea how until we spoke with some locals. Apparently some of the local artists who sell their more expensive paintings, have you followed by kids / bandits who make their move when you least expect it. Apparently if we turned up at the same stall a couple of weeks later, those same paintings would be there....but of course not many people stay that long!!

Was a gutting experience as we had spen a bit.

Best advice then is to be vigilant without letting it spoil your holiday. You are there of course to enjoy yourself and if you are sensible it is very unlikely you will be subject to crime, so don't get too wrapped up in what CAN go wrong, but think about all the things that WILL go right!!

Enjoy - Alistair