avrooster

The trip reports which mention mustard, bird droppings or dirty water being dropped upon tourists in order to try to take their belongings, a trick about which we have repeatedly warned here, often have one point in common: they took place over a weekend in our downtown area.

This must be because this large area is almost deserted during weekends and police presence is quite scarce.

I have been unable to find it, but I clearly remember reading a few months ago a report from a couple who was staying in the downtown area. This old trick was tried upon them THREE times in the course of a weekend, as they walked to and from their hotel.

So, even though I am convinced our town is comparatively safe, if, for instance, you choose to walk to our wonderful San Telmo fair on a Sunday or to the Puerto Madero restaurants over a weekend, you should be particularly attentive to your surroundings.

Buenos días.

irecommend

I was reading that report last month (it was posted a few years ago) and I really cant figure out how that could have happened. It sounded kind of weird to me.

We had no safety issues anywhere we went. We were always cautious but walked the streets especially on the weekend because it was so pleasant.

avrooster

I don't think we are talking about the same report, irecommend.

The one I mean was from sometime last year.

irecommend

Here it is, from 2007.
http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...montevideo.cfm

avrooster

You are absolutely right, irecommend, that's the one I meant.

I thought it wasn't from that long ago. Time flies...

However, as far as I know, mystic1947 has not returned to BA and her DH's "mollejas" are still waiting. LOL!!!

irecommend

I think it may have been top of mind to you av because it was posted on this February which brought it back up again.

rhkkmk

i know mystic 1947 and she reports things exactly as they happen....my defense will be that i shall shout out i know mystic and avrooster, so you need not even try that on me....

what are my chances??

avrooster

What are your chances of what, rk?

If you shout out in English that you know mystic1947 and yours truly, I don't think that will help much. LOL!!!

I figure this "mustard, bird droppings or dirty water" trick requires quite a team of thieves.

Someone to drop whatever on your clothes, a "nice looking" couple who will insist on helping you clean up and someone to drive them away.

All you need to do, if this trick is tried on you, is not to allow anyone to get near you and yell "Ladrones" or "Policia" at the top of your lungs.

I heve never heard of any violence associated with this trick, so that should be more than enough.

messifan

Hey,

Like any international city, there are certain measures that you must take in ensuring that you will have the safest, most enjoyable trip possible.

Protect your personal belongings at any popular tourist destinations, where pickpockets often take advantage of distracting landmarks to relieve travelers of their wallets, passports and cameras. This also holds true in crowded subways and busses. Only hold you camera in your hands when you are using it; stash it back in your bag or pocket in between photos as to not attract attention. Be careful with purses and backpacks while sitting at cafes or restaurants. These are prime spots for quick robberies, and try to tie your bags to the tables or chairs whenever possible.

At night, limit the amount of cash you carry and always know exactly where you are going. Know which areas to avoid after sundown, such as La Boca, and try sticking with a larger group instead of walking the streets alone. Only use cabs labeled as “Radio Taxis,” as these are known to be safer than independent drivers. If there are ever any problems, contact the Tourist Police Station at 4346-5748. And don’t forget that while safety is important, you still need to have fun. So if keep your head up and use common sense, you should be in for the best vacation of your life!

avrooster

Downtown, on a Sunday:

http://tinyurl.com/c2mj43

avrooster

Downtown, on a Sunday. See post of April 04, 2009

http://tinyurl.com/cevyuh

owlwoman

We stayed DT and walked on Sunday from the Park Tower through Puerto Madero and then into San Telmo for the fair. The streets were very quiet (just like NY on a Sunday AM), we did not have any problems, saw a couple of shady characters, but just like I do in NY, just ignored them and kept walking. PM was lively with lots of families walking along the path.

I also memorized our route so I wouldn't have to keep looking at the map. Did not find BA that difficult to figure out.

I guess living in NY, I tend to live by messifan's rules, this is how I protect my belongings on a day to day basis, so being in BA is no different for me than being in NY.

avrooster

I am bringing this to the top, because a friend who posts on TA and her DH had a bad experience in that area over this weekend, in spite of being experienced travelers.

http://tinyurl.com/49z9k88

MarnieWDC

Thank you, AV, for this reminder.

And I will add that given that violence is so rarely a problem for any tourist to Argentina, losing one's passport is among the worst results of a theft.

So, I always follow the recommendation to make a color, photo copy of your passport to carry with you, should you need it for certain CC purchases or whatever, and leave your passport in your hotel or apartment, safely locked away. You only really need the actual passport for trips or banking.

~MarnieWDC

Huentetu

I think the weekend being a bit more risky than a weekday, especially Sundays, is true in much of South America. There are fewer people about who might possibly intervene on your behalf. Fewer people means fewer police around too. One friend did also suggest, and I don't know how much weight to give this, that on Sundays many policemen are guarding the stadiums during football games. In theory, that would make the safest place you can be on a Sunday a football game!

Scarlett

Not just "downtown" ..
Every weekend you can sit in the parks and watch the bird poop scam/pickpockets at work.
Every weekend there are pockets picked, purses snatched or picked at the Ferias, around La Biela and in the parks. Not to mention just walking down the streets.
Palermo is being mentioned more and more for robberies of people walking, shopping and sightseeing.
San Telmo is having a problem with this also ..
If people insist on the horrible experience of walking around Florida Street, after all the warnings and after most people saying how awful the area really is.. then they are taking a risk and they have been warned.
And there are police all over Recoleta and Palermo... we have mounted police in the parks, police on quads, roaming the parks .. it is a shame. A beautiful city like this shouldn't have a reputation for robberies and thievery .