General Discussion

CTyankee

(63,900 posts)

47. When I used to travel yearly in Europe I learned one big lesson:

Thu Jul 12, 2018, 10:49 AM

Jul 2018

DO NOT HAVE YOUR PASSPORT STOLEN.

I had mine stolen in northern Italy while I was doing art history research. I had to get on a train to Milan and go to the U.S. consulate there to get an emergency passport so I could get out of Italy and in to the U.S. I had to pay $100 IN CASH (no checks or credit cards) and had to borrow the money from a fellow tour member to whom I wrote a check.

Be aware, DUers. make several copies of your passport. Put one copy in your luggage, Carry another copy on you and put your passport IN THE HOTEL SAFE. Mine was in a travel wallet that was snatched from me on the street.

Later the passport was turned in to the U.S. embassy in Rome and then sent to me here at home. But I had a lesson taught "the hard way."

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If you travel to Europe this summer, beware of this: [View all] DFW Jul 2018 OP

Thanks for posting this... Ohiya Jul 2018 #1

Be vigilant, but I have never heard of anyone getting robbed like that in Ireland DFW Jul 2018 #57

Actually, living in Columbus Ohio is probably far more dangerous... Ohiya Jul 2018 #59

I've never been to Columbus, Ohio. DFW Jul 2018 #70

In Thomas Pynchon's book, "Against the Day" Ohiya Jul 2018 #74

Way long ago 1981 in Ireland had a strange occurrence. PufPuf23 Jul 2018 #94

My husband got robbed in the Paris Metro. dhol82 Jul 2018 #2

Especially now that Americans are so beloved worldwide. VOX Jul 2018 #3

When I go overseas next winter 47of74 Jul 2018 #9

There's no way for a thief to know if you are an American... HipChick Jul 2018 #10

If they hear you speaking English with an "American (non-European) accent" BumRushDaShow Jul 2018 #14

Haha!....good observation...if I'm overseas, I do not provide a safety in numbers HipChick Jul 2018 #16

LOL BumRushDaShow Jul 2018 #17

I'm in Europe now... a la izquierda Jul 2018 #24

Meaning BumRushDaShow Jul 2018 #25

Exactly that a la izquierda Jul 2018 #95

It's not like it happens to me on a daily basis either DFW Jul 2018 #69

You know? You're right! DFW Jul 2018 #58

The state must have a population of like a billion! BumRushDaShow Jul 2018 #61

I'll see you and raise you one. Check THIS out: DFW Jul 2018 #63

Bwah! BumRushDaShow Jul 2018 #64

There's probably 20 Filipino nurses at the hospital TeamPooka Jul 2018 #65

Like I said. They secretly control the world DFW Jul 2018 #67

Sometimes Americans are very easy to spot. Lonestarblue Jul 2018 #18

When I travel anywhere, I check all my luggage except my computer bag/briefcase. Blue_true Jul 2018 #32

It's a big hint if you're wearing bluejeans. And many are adept with accents, pnwmom Jul 2018 #91

This has nothing to do with Americans DFW Jul 2018 #27

Understood. Clumsy metaphor on my part. VOX Jul 2018 #48

Well, you're correct. They're not. DFW Jul 2018 #51

I'm heading to Barcelona/Nice/Rome in September and October. Adsos Letter Jul 2018 #4

Spend about $10 and invest in an elastic money belt COLGATE4 Jul 2018 #6

Great advice...I wear a Fanny pack... HipChick Jul 2018 #11

Fanny packs can be picked so quickly you wouldn't believe it! The Mouth Jul 2018 #22

Taking one with me this summer. I have used them in the past and they are a bit chelsea0011 Jul 2018 #35

Ah... flor-de-jasmim Jul 2018 #7

My Thoughts Exactly Roy Rolling Jul 2018 #15

This is the equivalent Scarsdale Jul 2018 #34

SHocked at being assaulted and target for crime? In Europe? DFW Jul 2018 #55

Perhaps... how long have you lived in Europe? Raster Jul 2018 #20

Half and half since 39 years (1979), full time since 2011 (permanent residence status) DFW Jul 2018 #86

Actually, my friend, I was responding to the person that said you painted Europe... Raster Jul 2018 #96

DFW lives there BumRushDaShow Jul 2018 #28

I have lived here in Europe for MANY years DFW Jul 2018 #29

You'll be as safe in Europe as you would be in NYC or Chicago or Los Angeles GoneOffShore Jul 2018 #42

Europe is safer than the US and I have had no problems GulfCoast66 Jul 2018 #43

What they look for during tourist season DFW Jul 2018 #62

I appreciate your example of the new tactic they are using GulfCoast66 Jul 2018 #76

Actually, I don't live near there. Those towns are far south of me DFW Jul 2018 #84

Tempted to go there just to meet such an interesting and obviously intelligent DU member. GulfCoast66 Jul 2018 #90

it was a couple of Eastern European kids in Madrid in my case. cab67 Jul 2018 #5

My dad got pick-pocketed in the Rome train station. DemoTex Jul 2018 #8

Good advice hlthe2b Jul 2018 #12

Ugh, thanks for the warning Ezior Jul 2018 #13

Seehofer has nothing to do with this. It has been going on for at least 15 years DFW Jul 2018 #31

When I went to Paris now 15+ years ago, I was warned about pickpockets. Sure enough.... George II Jul 2018 #19

I'm so sorry this happened to you. PatrickforO Jul 2018 #21

It happens periodically. DFW Jul 2018 #33

I wear my purse crossed my shoulders with my hoodie or jacket.... ProudMNDemocrat Jul 2018 #23

I was told they can spot an American a block away kskiska Jul 2018 #26

They'll also do ad hoc street displays that look like impromtu plays. Texin Jul 2018 #39

Yeah, I was going reference obese travelers, but there are fair number of Germans who are heavy too, Texin Jul 2018 #41

To me it happened in Paris a few years ago... GetRidOfThem Jul 2018 #30

Good idea. DFW Jul 2018 #36

Actually, as I was on the subway, my thoughts wandered... GetRidOfThem Jul 2018 #46

My wife had her passport lifted in Romania several years back. Adsos Letter Jul 2018 #54

The only thing you should carry in a backpack in Romania...... DFW Jul 2018 #56

Thank you DFW. mahina Jul 2018 #37

This has been going on for years. I've seen it first hand myself. Texin Jul 2018 #38

They don't discriminate DFW Jul 2018 #40

This whole thread is giving me anxiety spinbaby Jul 2018 #44

Be smart and very careful Loge23 Jul 2018 #45

When I used to travel yearly in Europe I learned one big lesson: CTyankee Jul 2018 #47

My wife had her passport jacked at an open market in Romania. Adsos Letter Jul 2018 #49

I thought it odd that only cash was accepted by the consulate. CTyankee Jul 2018 #50

Yeah, that surprised me when I saw it in your post. Adsos Letter Jul 2018 #52

Maybe because cash is easier for the officials to keep for themselves. nt tblue37 Jul 2018 #77

I dunno about that. Wouldn't they have to justify the number of emergency passports they issued CTyankee Jul 2018 #78

But they could charge extra and keep the overcharge cash. An overcharge would be tblue37 Jul 2018 #79

As far as Jewelry goes....... ProudMNDemocrat Jul 2018 #53

Seriously. I have "travel jewelry" including a cubic zirconia wedding band. nt Hekate Jul 2018 #73

The cheap stuff can look as nice...... ProudMNDemocrat Jul 2018 #75

Safety tips learned from living in Colombia for eight months Quemado Jul 2018 #60

Sounds like fun!!!!! LeftInTX Jul 2018 #68

Medellin was a lot of fun Quemado Jul 2018 #82

But on the other hand it is a great city with beautiful weather and very cheap prices.. EX500rider Jul 2018 #71

Beautiful weather: yes; very cheap prices: yes and no Quemado Jul 2018 #85

Sounds a little like Quito DFW Jul 2018 #72

We went to Quito in 2013 Quemado Jul 2018 #87

Yes, somehow they forget to mention that part. DFW Jul 2018 #88

Curious as to where you were stationed in Germany. Adsos Letter Jul 2018 #89

Augsburg Quemado Jul 2018 #93

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2018 #66

I think I almost had something like that happen in Seattle once. LisaM Jul 2018 #80

Dress conservatively, dark clothes, helps if not brand new iamateacher Jul 2018 #81

Thanks for the warning! mnhtnbb Jul 2018 #83

Watch this pair of pros pick the pockets of an entire railway carriage ucrdem Jul 2018 #92

Thanks for providing your fellow DU travelers with this tip! steve2470 Jul 2018 #97