I was robbed 3 hours ago

Vasko · Feb 6th, 2005, 10:35

Well, the topic says it all.

I was boarding the 6 AM train from Mumbai CST to Aurangabad. I put my shoulder bag on the seat and bent down to put my backpack under the seat, turning my back on the shoulder bag. It was gone in a flash. With it was gone my cell phone, ipod, wallet containing about 4000 rps, some books, sketch diary and other small stuff.

I went to the railway police station to file a report, which was obviously quite useless. I just wanted to let them know that this shit still happens. An official dictated the report word-to-word for me to write, with stuff like "anybody stole the bag" and "thanking you senior officer". It was actually quite funny in a dark sort of way.

So now I've trudged back to my hotel in Colaba, feeling a bit lighter, honestly, but not really knowing what I'll do next. Buy a new bag and wallet, I guess. Luckily I had my valuables (credit card, passport, currency and tc's) on my body.

The first thing I saw walking out of the train station was a vomiting homeless person. Well-being is so relative isn't it?

Any IMer here in Bombay up for dinner in Colaba tonight (the Food Inn, Kamat, anywhere) please PM where you want to meet, I could use some company...?

Vasko

PS. I hope this post is also a reminder, even though it's not meant to scare anyone. This is my third time in India and the first time it's happened. Keep your guard especially on trains and train stations, that's what they say, don't they?

timmy · Feb 6th, 2005, 11:57

Sorry to hear that. But look on the bright side... at least you're not in Aurangabad! (just - kinda - kidding. A'bad didn't grab me at all. Only useful as a base from which to visit the caves AFAIC)

mahmud · Feb 6th, 2005, 12:46

Sorry, very very sorry to hear that.

torryquine · Feb 6th, 2005, 13:59

Hope you're ok Vasco, not a nice thing to happen. Looks like most of your stuff is replaceable apart from your sketch book (that would hurt though). Hope you find some IMers for company tonight, have a good time if you do.

Take care
TQ

iasis · Feb 6th, 2005, 14:57

Yeah...sorry to hear that mate..its sad everytime...
the sketch book must be the hardest one as torryquine said....
Take care

jarman_ah · Feb 6th, 2005, 18:37

I am full of admiration for the way you have put this upsetting event into its proper perspective (and in only three hours!) so that you were able to see the humour in such things as the moronic police report. I am sure I would have been "dirty" on India for three weeks! Take heart, mate: they can steal your belongings and your sketch book and all that stuff, but they can't take away your touch of class!

Dr Funkenstein · Feb 6th, 2005, 18:48

Very sorry to hear about that, Vasko. I hope it's not soured your trip too much. Good to see your keeping things in perspective, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasko

The first thing I saw walking out of the train station was a vomiting homeless person. Well-being is so relative isn't it?

Last time I was in India I found that something totally brilliant usually happened fairly soon after the shitty stuff. I hope it's the same for you.

Vasko · Feb 6th, 2005, 18:52

Wow,

a big thanks to all of you for your empathy, it genuinely makes me feel better. Actually, everyone at my hotel from the doorman to the elevatorboy have been shaking their heads and mumbling things like "bad world", "oh shit" and "no good". I even got a massive discount on an alarm clock after I told the vendor I had been robbed! It just reminds you that 99% of the folk are kind.

timmy, I was actually planning on using Aurangabad as a base for the caves, just like you did. Not that I'm still not going to do that later, hopefully, but right now I might change my direction and go to Gokarna instead.

jarman_ah, all I can say is that your thoughtful and supportive reply has made my day.

I bought a new sketch diary, pasted the police report in it and started filling it with text and pictures.

the funny thing is that the first thing I went out and bought was "one pen".

steven_ber · Feb 6th, 2005, 19:17

Sorry to hear about your problems, it's great that you have the sense of humour required to deal with it.

Train carriages (as well as platforms) just prior to departure seem to offer the ideal opportunity for thieves; maybe it's all the confusion and the many distractions.

Not that it matters, but what class were you travelling?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasko

The funny thing is that the first thing I went out and bought was "one pen".

You should have gone and asked one of the children for 'one pen'.

freenote · Feb 6th, 2005, 19:25

Bad shit!!!!but you apear to be copeing We are going to take that as a warning!!!!Just comming up from the south and our security may have got a bit slack.Should be in Mumbia in about a week .Gokarna is a good place to relax We where there over the xmas and loved it!!!Left for a couple of weeks and went back.We found the town had an atmospere of its own and so many cowes!!!!!.give the Rath (chariot of the gods) in the midle of town a stroke for us . Head for the beaches over the headland and enjoy

kiranlal · Feb 6th, 2005, 19:30

Any how i am happy to hear that you are recovering ,
i was traveling for 3 months and allways afraid in trains and especiallyin in mumbai and varanasi
take care
the caves willgive you more peace
regards

Tulip · Feb 6th, 2005, 19:32

I'm so sorry to hear...

You know, this is my biggest fear in travelling. I mean, if I'm losing all my money (eventhough I can get the travels back) the meaning is to go back home

A friend of mine met someone who was robbed completely 4 hours before the flight home!!!!

Unbelievable....

nliedel · Feb 6th, 2005, 19:53

this happened to you. Your attitude is wonderful tho.

Vasko · Feb 7th, 2005, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

Not that it matters, but what class were you travelling?

hi steven,

It was sleeper class. It was early in the morning and VERY quiet, no hustle and bustle on the platform or train and hardly anyone in the carriage. I couldn't have imagined it could be a potentially hazardous moment (those thieves sure know their business, don't they?).

Just got back from the train station again, this time with a ticket to Gokarna. Just didn't feel right getting on the train to Aurangabad again.

I've still got 3 months of travel left, so I figure I can head up north when it gets warmer...

Thanks again to everyone...

Dav · Feb 7th, 2005, 11:58

Hi Vasko,

Let's hope some karma catches up with the person who stole your bag! If karma's going to get you anywhere, it'll be in India.

I know that you didn't see the person who stole your bag, but just for interest sakes, I've heard that if you catch someone in the act of stealing your property in India, make a lot of noise and publicly shame that person. If you say in a really loud voice so bystanders can hear: "You are a thief, you just tried to steal my bag", that the locals will jump in and deliver there own form of justice. (Previously covered in the lynch mob thread) It's positive to know that theft is vigorously frowned upon by the majority of the Indian community.

Take care and keep smiling!

Feb 6th, 2005, 10:35	#1
Vasko Non-speaker fruit-eater Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: State of Contemplation Posts: 493	I was robbed 3 hours ago Well, the topic says it all. I was boarding the 6 AM train from Mumbai CST to Aurangabad. I put my shoulder bag on the seat and bent down to put my backpack under the seat, turning my back on the shoulder bag. It was gone in a flash. With it was gone my cell phone, ipod, wallet containing about 4000 rps, some books, sketch diary and other small stuff. I went to the railway police station to file a report, which was obviously quite useless. I just wanted to let them know that this shit still happens. An official dictated the report word-to-word for me to write, with stuff like "anybody stole the bag" and "thanking you senior officer". It was actually quite funny in a dark sort of way. So now I've trudged back to my hotel in Colaba, feeling a bit lighter, honestly, but not really knowing what I'll do next. Buy a new bag and wallet, I guess. Luckily I had my valuables (credit card, passport, currency and tc's) on my body. The first thing I saw walking out of the train station was a vomiting homeless person. Well-being is so relative isn't it? Any IMer here in Bombay up for dinner in Colaba tonight (the Food Inn, Kamat, anywhere) please PM where you want to meet, I could use some company...? Vasko PS. I hope this post is also a reminder, even though it's not meant to scare anyone. This is my third time in India and the first time it's happened. Keep your guard especially on trains and train stations, that's what they say, don't they?

Feb 6th, 2005, 11:57	#2
timmy Back in Australia Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 375	Sorry to hear that. But look on the bright side... at least you're not in Aurangabad! (just - kinda - kidding. A'bad didn't grab me at all. Only useful as a base from which to visit the caves AFAIC) __________________ Read my India Travel Blog from late 2004, or look at my Photo Gallery from my last two trips.

Feb 6th, 2005, 12:46	#3
mahmud Account Closed Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh Posts: 445	Sorry Sorry, very very sorry to hear that.

Feb 6th, 2005, 13:59	#4
torryquine Oilfield Trash! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 700	Hope you're ok Vasco, not a nice thing to happen. Looks like most of your stuff is replaceable apart from your sketch book (that would hurt though). Hope you find some IMers for company tonight, have a good time if you do. Take care TQ __________________ http://werenotafraid.com/

Feb 6th, 2005, 19:32	#12
Tulip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Planet Blue Posts: 3	My worst nightmare I'm so sorry to hear... You know, this is my biggest fear in travelling. I mean, if I'm losing all my money (eventhough I can get the travels back) the meaning is to go back home A friend of mine met someone who was robbed completely 4 hours before the flight home!!!! Unbelievable....

Feb 6th, 2005, 14:57	#5
iasis Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: neverland Posts: 77	Yeah...sorry to hear that mate..its sad everytime... the sketch book must be the hardest one as torryquine said.... Take care

Feb 6th, 2005, 18:37	#6
jarman_ah Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 373	I am full of admiration for the way you have put this upsetting event into its proper perspective (and in only three hours!) so that you were able to see the humour in such things as the moronic police report. I am sure I would have been "dirty" on India for three weeks! Take heart, mate: they can steal your belongings and your sketch book and all that stuff, but they can't take away your touch of class!

Feb 6th, 2005, 18:52	#8
Vasko Non-speaker fruit-eater Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: State of Contemplation Posts: 493	Wow, a big thanks to all of you for your empathy, it genuinely makes me feel better. Actually, everyone at my hotel from the doorman to the elevatorboy have been shaking their heads and mumbling things like "bad world", "oh shit" and "no good". I even got a massive discount on an alarm clock after I told the vendor I had been robbed! It just reminds you that 99% of the folk are kind. timmy, I was actually planning on using Aurangabad as a base for the caves, just like you did. Not that I'm still not going to do that later, hopefully, but right now I might change my direction and go to Gokarna instead. jarman_ah, all I can say is that your thoughtful and supportive reply has made my day. I bought a new sketch diary, pasted the police report in it and started filling it with text and pictures. the funny thing is that the first thing I went out and bought was "one pen".

Feb 6th, 2005, 19:25	#10
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,554	Bad shit!!!!but you apear to be copeing We are going to take that as a warning!!!!Just comming up from the south and our security may have got a bit slack.Should be in Mumbia in about a week .Gokarna is a good place to relax We where there over the xmas and loved it!!!Left for a couple of weeks and went back.We found the town had an atmospere of its own and so many cowes!!!!!.give the Rath (chariot of the gods) in the midle of town a stroke for us . Head for the beaches over the headland and enjoy

Feb 6th, 2005, 19:30	#11
kiranlal The only one of its kind Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Trivandrum,Kerala,India,Malaysia,Singapore Posts: 522	Any how i am happy to hear that you are recovering , i was traveling for 3 months and allways afraid in trains and especiallyin in mumbai and varanasi take care the caves willgive you more peace regards

Feb 6th, 2005, 19:53	#13
nliedel Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 10	So sorry this happened to you. Your attitude is wonderful tho.

Feb 7th, 2005, 11:58	#15
Dav Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 56	Hi Vasko, Let's hope some karma catches up with the person who stole your bag! If karma's going to get you anywhere, it'll be in India. I know that you didn't see the person who stole your bag, but just for interest sakes, I've heard that if you catch someone in the act of stealing your property in India, make a lot of noise and publicly shame that person. If you say in a really loud voice so bystanders can hear: "You are a thief, you just tried to steal my bag", that the locals will jump in and deliver there own form of justice. (Previously covered in the lynch mob thread) It's positive to know that theft is vigorously frowned upon by the majority of the Indian community. Take care and keep smiling! __________________ Davinski

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