topic Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ in Community Chat

FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

Pink123 — Mon, 23 May 2022 21:37:55 GMT

We had a 3 week vacation planned for the longest time going to Spain, Austria and Germany.

We left last Wednesday morning and here I sit all alone today back in the USA on my laptop at home as it's all I have to communicate with for now.

We arrived in Madrid and enjoyed 2 days going to Prado museum, Plaza Mayor, etc and some nice restaurants. One was "Botin" a favorite of Hemingway's. It was lovely.

The next day we were checking out to visit his daughter in southern spain, Linares. We had breakfast in hotel and were checking out. I was alone at the front desk and he went to check on the rental car in garage. I had a carryon and a big suitcase. I had placed my handbag and a light jacket in between it right behind me. (It was an LV tote with a zipper in the middle and a take off strap great for travel).

I had 2 surgeries in the past year and had all my medications in it which I needed. All credit cards, lots of cash, all makeup, drivers license. Only passport was in his possession thank God now that I think of it.

Well I swear the lobby was quiet and empty. The bags were so close to me and I hear everything. I looked back to get my tote and it was gone. Gone. I ran up to the room questioning myself but it wasn't there. The hotel rolled the security camera and sure enough a man sneaked by me and lifted my bag in a nano second. He had to go through those sliding turn around doors.

Why did the receiptionist not see him??? Long story short the police came, a report was made as we went to the police station. I called USA but they would not give me any medications. My anxiety peaked.

I had no choice but to fly home the next day and the trip was over. He had business so I flew home alone yesterday, a long flight. He will be home tomorrow as I have no communication only this laptop where we can buy a new phone, drivers license, and get it all straightened out.

My 3 week dream vacation which lasted for all but a few daysis now over. My plea to you all traveling please hold on and be aware of your surroundings at all times. I thought I was sharp and pretty street savvy. Obviously not.

It kind of makes me sick that we live in such a world. I was just a mark for a thief.

And also for those with you with medications please split them up and put them in different suitcases, etc.

My boyfriend even texted the thief saying he would give a handsome reward just to return my medication. No questions asked. He never answered of course.

Oh well, maybe again in the fall. First I need to rest.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

millieshops — Mon, 23 May 2022 21:45:11 GMT

@Pink123 So sorry.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

KingstonsMom — Mon, 23 May 2022 21:48:23 GMT

@Pink123

I'm SO sorry this happened to you!

But the moral of your story is that whether or not you're traveling or just going to the grocery store, stay AWARE of your surroundings!

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

mizree — Mon, 23 May 2022 21:49:39 GMT

@Pink123 i'm so sorry about your misfortune. don't be hard on yourself. Thiefs work hard at taking advantage of others. Thanks for advising all to be vigilant at all times. Take care.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

bonnielu — Mon, 23 May 2022 21:49:49 GMT

So sorry about what happened to you. When I travel I am so paranoid that I strap everything to me. Turns out the vacation is never all that fun since I am always looking over my shoulder. I always have my passport, anf other ID's on me.

But consider yourself lucky. My mother many years ago was traveling and was in Brazil. She was hit over the head, knocked down and her necklace was stolen.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

Pink123 — Mon, 23 May 2022 21:51:13 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
@Pink123 So sorry.

Thank you @millieshops. I still feel like it's all just a dream sequence.

My main reason for writing about this is medicines along with the robbers and being aware of your surroundings. Please, please, split it up and add another week of medicine in case you get sick.

After all the running around pleading with the hospital and police I had to find a place for a covid antigen test to return. Yikes.....exhaustion plus.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

Q4u — Mon, 23 May 2022 21:56:38 GMT

I am so so sorry to hear this..... what a violation. I agree with separating items of value (like medication, etc.) but I would also suggest not taking your LV's (and I love them) but LV's tend to tell people you might have something of greater value in your bags.

I hope you go again and have no problems at all next time....

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

Italian gal — Mon, 23 May 2022 21:58:44 GMT

My family was all going to Europe....but we decided to cancel due to things i canmot say here

There are so many beautiful places here that we are going to visit.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

Shelbelle — Mon, 23 May 2022 21:59:54 GMT

So sorry, but i have heard for many years that Spain is very notorius for thieves among tourists.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

millieshops — Mon, 23 May 2022 22:00:27 GMT

@Pink123 The thieves everywhere can be so sly we can't possibly know they are nearby. The suggestions you made make excellent sense.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

Pink123 — Mon, 23 May 2022 22:04:15 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
@Pink123 The thieves everywhere can be so sly we can't possibly know they are nearby. The suggestions you made make excellent sense.

@millieshops yes I agree. Who knows..... I'm kind of like a mark there. Very blonde, tall and stick out. He left me for 5 minutes. Maybe I was being watched. My brother says they are very sophisticated and it's usually more than one person involved in their capers.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

Lucky Dog — Mon, 23 May 2022 22:10:33 GMT

So sorry this happened to you.

I don't understand how your boyfriend texted the thief.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

LizzieInSRQ — Mon, 23 May 2022 22:13:12 GMT

@Pink123 i am glad you are safe and home. Its so generous of you to tell your cautionary tale. Crossbody bag or better yet travel money belt, fanny pack turned to the front of you etc. are the way to go

Im so sorry for the extreme stress youve been under. Your beau will be home soon. Be well

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

kaydee50 — Mon, 23 May 2022 22:19:57 GMT

Sorry to hear that this happened. Just makes me very happy once again that DH and I traveled when it was a much safer world. Have no desire to leave North America ever again!

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

patbz — Mon, 23 May 2022 22:20:55 GMT

@Pink123 : So sorry for your traumatic experience; glad you are OK. I've been a world traveler for more than 50 years and have been robbed twice; both times in Italy, once in my 20s when stupidly left cameras in my locked ragtop convertible and about 6 years ago at Rome's train station when DH took out his money for the day, counted it, and put it back in his back pants pocket ( I guess we never learn). When we took a cruise up coast of Brazil 12 years ago, we stayed safe by wearing no jewelry ( including wedding rings and even a cheap watch) but many on our cruise flashed their goodies and got mugged or had pockets picked. Will we stop travelling outside of USA?No, but we will follow your suggestions, which are common sense.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

IMW — Mon, 23 May 2022 22:24:59 GMT

Very sorry.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

Pink123 — Mon, 23 May 2022 22:33:22 GMT

@patbz wrote:
@Pink123 : So sorry for your traumatic experience; glad you are OK. I've been a world traveler for more than 50 years and have been robbed twice; both times in Italy, once in my 20s when stupidly left cameras in my locked ragtop convertible and about 6 years ago at Rome's train station when DH took out his money for the day, counted it, and put it back in his back pants pocket ( I guess we never learn). When we took a cruise up coast of Brazil 12 years ago, we stayed safe by wearing no jewelry ( including wedding rings and even a cheap watch) but many on our cruise flashed their goodies and got mugged or had pockets picked. Will we stop travelling outside of USA?No, but we will follow your suggestions, which are common sense.

Hi @patbz I know you are a world traveler as I've seen so many posts about your travels in the past years here.

Is the thievery going on the cruise ships or ports of call? I would be really surprised if it was on the ships themselves.

I always have had this sixth sense or gut feeling if you will. I feel like I was set up somehow. Could it have been housekeeping or an employee at the hotel? I think it was something like that. 2 housekeeping ladies interracted with me as well and cleaned the room seeing my belongings. I do speak a bit of spanish living in South Florida.

I do not think it was the LV bag at that moment. There was a horrible heat wave in madrid last week and I did have a cotton linen like jacket on top in between the jacket covering it.

When we were walking around Madrid after dinner I saw so many vendors selling fake bags. They put strings under the bags and net them up real quick when the police come by. I couldn't believe how many women were perusing these things.

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

Seannie — Mon, 23 May 2022 22:36:14 GMT

So sorry, Pink. This is the reason I won't go back to Spain. My husband was set upon by four youths when he was carrying our shopping bags in Madrid. They grabbed his front pockets to see if his wallet was in them (it wasn't), then threw a set of keys on the ground (they know we Americans are so helpful).

The thieves wanted him to bend over so they could get in his back pockets. He was too heavily laden so he couldn't bend down.

I was 10 feet ahead and started screaming and they cursed and left.

I wear a waist pack or crossbody under my jacket just to make it harder for them but my husband STILL carries his wallet in his rear pocket.

It is tiring to have to be defensive at all times. We had another incident in Spain that same trip.

Seannie

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

KingstonsMom — Mon, 23 May 2022 22:36:22 GMT

@Lucky Dog wrote:
So sorry this happened to you.

I don't understand how your boyfriend texted the thief.

@Lucky Dog

I know, right???

I feel that tug on my chain......

Re: FOR MY QVC TRAVELING FRIENDS PLEASE READ

shoesnbags — Mon, 23 May 2022 22:38:38 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
Sorry to hear that this happened. Just makes me very happy once again that DH and I traveled when it was a much safer world. Have no desire to leave North America ever again!

@kaydee50

Uh, not really. My husband was the mark when we were traveling in Italy in the 1980s. We stopped at a gelati stand that opened onto the sidewalk. (Thieves could watch from a distance which pocket you put your wallet back into after you paid.)

About a block away DH was approached by a gypsy woman with a small child, begging. Several blocks later hubby went for his wallet and it was gone, gone, gone. We spent many hours in a Rome police station and then at an American Express office. I was furious with him because we were wearing vests with zipped safety pockets, but he was too lazy to put his wallet back in that pocket.

We traveled throughout Europe many times with two small children and were never successfully targeted again because we learned to always take precautions and never take our eyes off of our belongings.

@Pink123I am so very sorry for your lost trip.