traveling- be careful

The train conductor with the snatcher and the lady who had been robbed.



The snatcher was the black shirted man and the people who helped. My husband was there too.These pics were courtesy of a man who took the photo when it happened and sent it to my husband.

I would like to share this with you because it is important . I hope you learn from this experience of mine and thus will help you anyway.

Below was the published letter I sent to the Editor of an international newspaper last June 2006.


Dear Editor,
My husband and others caught a bag snatcher on a train on 9 June 2006 in Antwerpen, Belgium. It is good to know that there are some people who will readily help others. I was very happy because I also had an experience with this kind of snatching on 21 March 2006 in Brussels North, Belgium. We were going to travel to Quito, Ecuador, for an anti-child labor exhibition. Unfortunately, a man splattered my jacket with something like a lotion or a shampoo and got my full attention. I put down my two bags and the next moment the man was gone and my bags were gone (my ATM cards, cell phone, wallet, jewelry and watch were lost). My husband (still outside), was busy with our two big boxes of artworks. This was minutes before the train was to leave. I went to the next section, saying, my bags were stolen, but nobody reacted. As a newcomer, I didn't know about the emergency bell inside the train. In my social integration class, there was no information of that kind. All we could do next was to report it to police at the Brussels Airport. Surprisingly, police knew about it already, because they had retrieved my two bags, but everything was gone and they didn't catch the snatchers. After a week in Ecuador, we went back home and again to the police station, but they didn't catch the thieves or retrieve any of my things.

Hence, my tips to others travelling:
1. Pay attention to your belongings always.
2. Don't be distracted when a stranger tries to get your attention.
3. Don't react immediately, thinking this stranger is just trying to help you or is concerned about you. He/She might not be.
4. Put your purse/wallet on your clothes. Carry your cell phones or put them in your pocket or dress.
5. Wear your jewelry. Don't put them in your bags.
6. It is better to put your important papers, jewelry etc. in your big suitcases. Large cases are difficult to snatch.
7. Carry your passport on your body. (Fortunately for me, my husband had my passport).
8. Photocopy your passport and important papers.
9. Report immediately your loss to your bank and police.
10. Be wary always that there is somebody who would like to take advantage of others or will intentionally try to steal your belongings.
11. But when your life is in danger, give your things away, whatever they are. Life is more precious than money or things. You can't replace your life.

Regards,

susan

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My friends, It was a journey which i considered a good one because we have done something for our brethren and the more i thought about it, the more i consider it as a journey for myself as a person, as a human being who has to search deeply the reason why some would do it and i learn to understand. Somehow it left me a lesson to become a better person to others.
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To the man who snatched my handbags, i pray he was able to feed his family because i think he needs it more than me. I pray that he will change his ways.
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"When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always". Mahatma Gandhi