I'm Going On A Trip, And I'm Going To Take With Me.....What?

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by BuzzardsWife

I'd take that very seriously, from what I have heard from countless people. Someone tried to rip my sisters gold chain right off her arm on a bus in Europe, and my brother in law got mugged and had his gold ripped off him and his money taken. My sisters a tough chick and punched the guy a few times, so he ran off the bus.

Where in Europe?

The Balkans... I really had no problem with theft at all. I'd fell safer with a wallet full of cash walking in Bosnia or Croatia then in Calgary or Edmonton. Budapest might be a different story though.

I've had friends mugged in Edmonton, heard lots of stories about Calgary since I left. Some places like Italy and France they are a little more aggressive, but I think this travelers fear is sometimes a little overblown. Don't walk around like an idiot with a fishermans hat, camera around your neck holding a map carrying a 2L bottle of water, cause then you're just asking for it.

[Kybosh]

The biggest problem I had in the Balkans was gypsy's trying to take random coins out of my hands while counting them. I also hated how the gypsy's would kiss their hands then touch you while begging. I just hate being touched by dirty gypsy's.

Also, walking around with a gold chain displayed is asking for trouble. Seriously, bad idea.

Here's what you do to avoid any problems:

1) Hide all your money/important cards and documents in a money belt or some other type of device.
2) Keep a small amount of cash in a pocket so you can easily get to it if you want to buy something.
3) Don't wear anything that a thief would want to steal (ie. nice watch, gold chain and so on).
4) Don't stand on the street fanning yourself with Euros while exclaiming "My word, these people are so ignorant they don't even take the time to learn English."

Seriously, if you don't invite trouble nothing will happen.

[simmer2]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Where in Europe?

The Balkans... I really had no problem with theft at all. I'd fell safer with a wallet full of cash walking in Bosnia or Croatia then in Calgary or Edmonton. Budapest might be a different story though.

I've had friends mugged in Edmonton, heard lots of stories about Calgary since I left. Some places like Italy and France they are a little more aggressive, but I think this travelers fear is sometimes a little overblown. Don't walk around like an idiot with a fishermans hat, camera around your neck holding a map carrying a 2L bottle of water, cause then you're just asking for it.

Budapest is a little more sketchy than any other place in Europe that I've been....I didn't really have an issue anywhere else TBH.

And like Phanuthier mentioned, Croatia is beautiful. I spent 4 days in Korcula, 2 in Dubrovnik, 1 in Split, and a night and day at Plitvice National Park. I also went to Mostar, Sarajevo and Kotor, all pretty interesting places.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

The biggest problem I had in the Balkans was gypsy's trying to take random coins out of my hands while counting them. I also hated how the gypsy's would kiss their hands then touch you while begging. I just hate being touched by dirty gypsy's.

they must really like you, I never had that problem

Originally Posted by Kybosh

Here's what you do to avoid any problems:

1) Hide all your money/important cards and documents in a money belt or some other type of device.
2) Keep a small amount of cash in a pocket so you can easily get to it if you want to buy something.
3) Don't wear anything that a thief would want to steal (ie. nice watch, gold chain and so on).
4) Don't stand on the street fanning yourself with Euros while exclaiming "My word, these people are so ignorant they don't even take the time to learn English."

Seriously, if you don't invite trouble nothing will happen.

I think if you do that anywhere outside of Canada sans Edmonton, you would probably get robbed there too.

[dissentowner]

My question has always been...are the girls in those parts really as "crazy" as they say they are?