[Idyllchat] Thievery in Rome

[Pete and Maggie Haggart]

All the stories of thievery in Rome and elsewhere are fun to read - if not fun to experience!

We did an extended stay in Rome after our Tuscany Untour (before Rome was added by Idyll) and as we were leaving the hotel the front desk man stopped us and gave us a stern lecture about protecting our valuables. He insisted that we leave everything  - except for some small bills - in the hotel safe. He also warned us about the bus someone mentioned earlier - which he called the "pickpocket express." We were glad we followed his advice as we were accosted many times during our stay in subtle and not so subtle ways, but had nothing for them to take! 

My only concern during this time was a train trip that we took to the airport one day and wondering on the way out and back that if something happened to us we would be "unidentified" tourists as we carried no identification!

This stuff happens everywhere, but my redeeming story is from Switzerland where I left our passports and airline tickets laying on a counter at a Swiss lift station. When I hurried back everything was just where I had left it!

I guess that is why we prefer the small villages of Europe to the big cities. But, as always, it is wise to use caution anywhere in the world that we travel!

Pete
in Moscow


Peter and Margaret Haggart
haggart at moscow.com
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Pmcgsan at aol.com 
  To: mindelli at msn.com ; kegonsalund at charter.net 
  Cc: idyllchat at lists.untours.com 
  Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 4:17 PM
  Subject: Re: [Idyllchat] Thievery in Rome


  We were in Rome last April and my husband and I were walking side by side up to the train in the Coliseum metro station.  All of a sudden there was a man pushing his way in between us and I told my husband watch out!  He separated us and as we got on the train his accomplish had HER hand inside my husbands pocket, he grabbed her hand and she jumped off the train.  It was a very close call.  Any pushing and shoving is a red alert.  We have been to Rome many time since our first visit in 1973 and this is the first time we had a problem.  A couple of years ago a thief took my wallet out of my purse, another push and shove situation.  That happened in the Paris metro station.    Avoiding the metro during rush hour is a good idea but not always possible.  

  We will be in Europe in April/May on a cruise and again in June/July and I always have to remind myself to be on the lookout.

  Pat

  La Jolla





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