Thieving on Trains

machadinha · Dec 10th, 2007, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by karuna

I think the idea of combat pants with many pockets, especially zip or buttoned pockets is actually much better

Yes, maybe; will lead to many a puzzled query as to your military career though

(I am serious, btw.)

Seriously btw, a moneybelt is still the safest option to me, and I find that after a day or two you barely notice them. Get a light and snugly-fitting cotton one (or make your own), not some thick thingy with rims and buckles and stuff.

karuna · Dec 10th, 2007, 17:12

LOL, true, true, but I get enough bizarre questions anyway
(Amritsar: "Hello. Who is your head of state?"
"Er...the Queen".
"Ah. Queen Victoria?") I don't think I'll mind too much!

Main problem I found with moneybelts was that after a few months all my traveller's cheques got creased, and soggy from me sweating in April heat, and then turned to mush. That and having to lift up my top every time I wanted to get cash out! But yes, I feel safer when my passport's in a moneybelt, definitely.

machadinha · Dec 10th, 2007, 17:15

Hm yes. Zip-lock bags help; there are plastic-lined ones on the market.

But you're right, it is a downside. Those return tickets sure don't look like the ones you took off with. Taking your stuff out to dry (when you are around) when you settle down somewhere for a few days helps just another little bit.

btw Daily cash I just keep in a wallet that I can reach more easily. It's funny grabbing for your underwear though when buying something more substantial like tickets etc., I admit.

Aishah · Dec 10th, 2007, 23:07

Nick and Shashank - I did notice your posts! LOL it was the Australian one and it cost me 20 Aus dollars per page (4 pages), signed by Consul at Australian High Commission in Delhi, of identity proof stuff to get the replacement. A very costly exercise.
Living here I've become like local Indian housewives who carry a handbag with their purse inside. Take it even when I travel on trains but I never leave it unattended. My first trip to India I had the money belt plus a waterproof affair which I wore swimming! Now I think that was ridiculous!

edwardseco · Dec 10th, 2007, 23:49

Actually, that sounds wise. For moneybelts I use a plastic case to keep the travellers checks fresh..

Brisso · Dec 11th, 2007, 04:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

If you use cable ties, especially heavy ones, you'd better travel with a pair of pliers. And, if they get nicked, that's your luggage permanently attached to the train.
Oh, and by the way --- is this a 'useful item' you never travel without? .

Any knife will remove the ties - and yes I always carry cable ties - not in carry-on though, tends to get security excited ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by karuna

Main problem I found with moneybelts was that after a few months all my traveller's cheques got creased, and soggy from me sweating in April heat

Has caused dramas once when exhanging ... the agency insisted on calling Amex etc etc ...

kristinm · Dec 11th, 2007, 05:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

not paranoidly but nonetheless nonchalantly .

- This wonderful phrase is forthwith my travel mantra for India - I shall at all times go 'not paranoidly, but nonetheless nonchalantly' - Machadinha you have a wonderful way with words!

kristinm · Dec 11th, 2007, 05:25

Brisso eeewww - the things those people must have to handle at the counter - tcs that have been in some grubby hippy's underpants for 6 months in case of an emergency!!!! - Not you Brisso. These days of TV police shows cable ties are synonomous with serial killers - I'm sure it would go down well with airport security.

Aishah - we are catching that exact Shatabdi to Amritsar, so thanks for the heads-up. FOrtunately we are only carrying an overnight bag and leaving everything else in our hotel room in Delhi - which is another worry. I hope that is going to be OK too... don't want to come back and find it all missing!

the opoponax · Dec 11th, 2007, 05:26

LOL, Kristin!

Personally, my motto so far has been: "I can handle it! Literally, if need be..."

unclelach · Dec 11th, 2007, 06:19

I have seen hawkers on Indian trains selling cheap chains/locks. I haven't used my pacsafe restraint cable for several years as it was a nuisance to pack. Are the cheap chains any use at all? Last visit to India I stuffed my pull-along bag under the seat in 2AC.

machadinha · Dec 11th, 2007, 06:30

Heheh, thanks, Kristin

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristinm

Brisso eeewww - the things those people must have to handle at the counter - tcs that have been in some grubby hippy's underpants for 6 months in case of an emergency!!!!

Hm, yes. When I said they don't look quite the same... Oh, forget it.

Quote:

leaving everything else in our hotel room in Delhi - which is another worry. I hope that is going to be OK too...

Many hotels (at least at the lower end) offer luggage storage, usually safe, so you could look into that if it makes you feel more comfortable. I'd personally prefer that over leaving in an empty room I think; will save you the hotel costs in your absence too. Enquire about the chances of you getting a room again on your return, of course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclelach

I have seen hawkers on Indian trains selling cheap chains/locks. I haven't used my pacsafe restraint cable for several years as it was a nuisance to pack. Are the cheap chains any use at all?

Yes, just a light chain and simple padlock bought on the spot will do. Again, it's mostly symbolic and just to stop snatch-and-run type action, no one will come by with a boltcutter, and if they would it would be hard to stop them while you're asleep anyway no matter what you do. And indeed, there are plenty of others who get by with no locks at all.

Brisso · Dec 11th, 2007, 06:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristinm

FOrtunately we are only carrying an overnight bag and leaving everything else in our hotel room in Delhi - which is another worry. I hope that is going to be OK too... don't want to come back and find it all missing!

Rarely a drama - no valuables or electronics of course

karuna · Dec 11th, 2007, 07:47

Quote:

tcs that have been in some grubby hippy's underpants for 6 months in case of an emergency!!!! - Not you Brisso.

Not me either! It was only three months.....

and goodnight.

Aishah · Dec 11th, 2007, 10:43

Kristin - re leaving things in hotel room - I would do as Machadinha suggests provided hotel has safe locking luggage storage area. cleaners etc. have access to room keys but the store is under strict control.

kristinm · Dec 11th, 2007, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by karuna

LOL, true, true, but I get enough bizarre questions anyway
(Amritsar: "Hello. Who is your head of state?"
"Er...the Queen".
"Ah. Queen Victoria?") I don't think I'll mind too much!.

Apologies to our American friends - I'm sure none of them on THIS site are so silly - but Americans are always complementing Australians on our good English - even George Bush referred to our army as the Austrian Army on a recent visit, but then he did think he was at OPEC not APEC... (or vice versa)

Dec 10th, 2007, 23:07	#34
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 5,489	Nick and Shashank - I did notice your posts! LOL it was the Australian one and it cost me 20 Aus dollars per page (4 pages), signed by Consul at Australian High Commission in Delhi, of identity proof stuff to get the replacement. A very costly exercise. Living here I've become like local Indian housewives who carry a handbag with their purse inside. Take it even when I travel on trains but I never leave it unattended. My first trip to India I had the money belt plus a waterproof affair which I wore swimming! Now I think that was ridiculous! __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

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Dec 10th, 2007, 17:12	#32
karuna The cat's mother Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: the wrong side of the Y-A-M-U-N-A Posts: 1,940	LOL, true, true, but I get enough bizarre questions anyway (Amritsar: "Hello. Who is your head of state?" "Er...the Queen". "Ah. Queen Victoria?") I don't think I'll mind too much! Main problem I found with moneybelts was that after a few months all my traveller's cheques got creased, and soggy from me sweating in April heat, and then turned to mush. That and having to lift up my top every time I wanted to get cash out! But yes, I feel safer when my passport's in a moneybelt, definitely.

Dec 10th, 2007, 17:15	#33
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 11,153	Hm yes. Zip-lock bags help; there are plastic-lined ones on the market. But you're right, it is a downside. Those return tickets sure don't look like the ones you took off with. Taking your stuff out to dry (when you are around) when you settle down somewhere for a few days helps just another little bit. btw Daily cash I just keep in a wallet that I can reach more easily. It's funny grabbing for your underwear though when buying something more substantial like tickets etc., I admit.

Dec 10th, 2007, 23:49	#35
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,239	Actually, that sounds wise. For moneybelts I use a plastic case to keep the travellers checks fresh..

Dec 11th, 2007, 05:25	#38
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,524	Brisso eeewww - the things those people must have to handle at the counter - tcs that have been in some grubby hippy's underpants for 6 months in case of an emergency!!!! - Not you Brisso. These days of TV police shows cable ties are synonomous with serial killers - I'm sure it would go down well with airport security. Aishah - we are catching that exact Shatabdi to Amritsar, so thanks for the heads-up. FOrtunately we are only carrying an overnight bag and leaving everything else in our hotel room in Delhi - which is another worry. I hope that is going to be OK too... don't want to come back and find it all missing!

Dec 11th, 2007, 05:26	#39
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,052	LOL, Kristin! Personally, my motto so far has been: "I can handle it! Literally, if need be..."

Dec 11th, 2007, 06:19	#40
unclelach Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: melbourne, australia Posts: 219	I have seen hawkers on Indian trains selling cheap chains/locks. I haven't used my pacsafe restraint cable for several years as it was a nuisance to pack. Are the cheap chains any use at all? Last visit to India I stuffed my pull-along bag under the seat in 2AC.

Dec 11th, 2007, 10:43	#44
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 5,489	Kristin - re leaving things in hotel room - I would do as Machadinha suggests provided hotel has safe locking luggage storage area. cleaners etc. have access to room keys but the store is under strict control.

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