I have heard the story of my friend's mom's aunt's husband who was sitting on a park bench in Rome, suddenly a swarm of gypsy kids surrounded him and slashed his backpack with a razor, taking everything.
I myself have met the "Gold Ring" Gypsy woman in France, confronted the train car full of Africans who spill the soda on you for a distraction in the Italian train, had the drunk follow me slurring insults in Mexico, and watched the Roma work a crowd in Alexanderplatz in Berlin.
We walk the streets of Paris, Rome, San Francisco and Budapest well past midnight, and I am often up wandering, taking photos at sunrise.
But I have not been robbed, mugged, really bothered (except the soda was annoying), or afraid.
But, I am not stupid. Here are some money-carrying ideas and tips that help me feel safe, and I think would help in some dicey situations:
WALKING AROUND
- I don't carry a huge wad of cash in one spot. For example, walking during the day, I have small bills and change in one pocket, easy to access for coffee or a snack. The bigger bills (for dinner, a painting or whatever) are in my wallet, or in a different pocket.
- I keep my wallet slim and light. I mean every day - I am not one of those people who carry all sorts of store cards, credit cards, photos and so on.
- My wallet looks like a piece of paper (DynoMighty) so if I drop it, someone is less likely to pick it up, and maybe I can go find it.
- I leave cash and backup cards at the hotel. What ONE card do I need to carry today (is it a "get cash" ATM day, or a "charge things" day?) and about how much cash do I think I will need?
- I have learned through watching: Do NOT stand right near the doors on the metro or bus. They can grab your iPod or pack and be out the door; it closes before you can react. Ignore the beggars, especially the poor Roma woman with the seemingly sick, listless wrapped up child... where did that third arm come from? Listen to stories other travelers tell on the bus, train or hostel. Ask your B&B owner where to pay particular attention or avoid altogether. Learn how to yell "Help! Police!" in the local language. s a further extension of the last point, I also know how to swear quite fluently in a couple languages, which came in handy once in Naples, Italy.
- No showing off your camera, iPad, etc. I carry my camera in one hand, low and a little behind by my hip. At cafes, use your tech subtlety, keep the camera on a chair, the floor or in your lap.
- Gail carries her small daypack, with non-valuable stuff in the main compartment. It has a "secret" pocket, zipped shut, right up against her back so that if her pack is slashed that is the deepest, most protected pocket. The most outside pocket has stuff like Kleenex, chapstick, and pens.
- We use metro tickets or passes, rather than cash, if available
- I tried a dummy wallet. The idea is you put useless stuff in it, and make it an inviting target for pick pockets. Or, you can throw it and run if you are mugged. I gave up after one-half day. Just more crap in my pockets, and I don't like lots of crap in my pockets.
- I have never used one of those money belts, (Hey! Are you pregnant, or just gaining weight?) hang around your neck type travel wallets (seems they could cut the cord, grab and run), or leg wallets (sweaty, uncomfortable, looks stupid with shorts).
- When we walk, we are alert, looking around, and unafraid. Act like you know where you are going and what is going on. On the other hand, don't be afraid to engage in conversation with others.
- We look and dress simply, non-flashy, certainly NOT like the people with the $2000 cameras slung around their necks, or the ladies wearing fur, high heels and all their expensive jewelery.
TRANSPORTATION DAYS
- We travel light, one carry-on sized suitcase for Gail, a summit pack for me. We are extremely mobile, and I can run carrying my pack and pulling her suitcase. (Did it in a train station in Vienna.)
- Our money, credit cards and passport are split up in a couple areas. Some is on my person, some is hidden in the inside sleeve of my pack, or the hip belt pocket, or the top zippered compartment hidden inside the top compartment.
- The most important stuff (passport, iPod, little cash) is ALWAYS on my body.
- If you use an internal frame pack, there is a good hiding area inside the pack. Right up next to my back is a velcro-top sleeve, where the composite frame of the pack slides in. You can't really even see the velcro flap, and there is space in there for flat things like money.
- I bought a luggage lock. You know the kind, light weight cable, combination lock, you thread it through your pack or suitcase handle and around the luggage rack so if someone tries to grab and run they are pulled up short. In reality, I have never used it and it is a hassle to carry, let alone think about getting out. On the ICE train in Germany, we watched our seat-mates luggage while they went to the dining car; they did the same for us. In Albania you have to trust the driver. In Mexico you get a ticket for your luggage.
I dunno. Maybe we have just been lucky.
Maybe people like us.
Hopefully we have good Karma.
Want to buy a luggage lock, cheap?