We had a similiar problem in Barcelona. We took the underground from the train station to the port with our luggage. Two guys got in between my husband and the first one dropped something on the ground and the second one tried to pick pocket my husband. He did not get anything. We were both wearing money belts and my husband wore a traveling jacket with zippered pockets on the inside. Be careful out there.

Like most tourists (yes, I accept the word because that's what I am outside of my hometown) I read every guidebook available before I went to Rome for the first time. And, like many tourists, I became incredibly paranoid. Every book said to watch out for the pickpockets and other misc. thieves. <BR> <BR>For the first day or two, I enjoyed nothing because I was way too nervous about some wild Italian thief making off with my money, etc. I kept my money in one of those flat pouches around my neck, but refused to buy anything because I was too afraid a crook would see my money and come after me. <BR> <BR>Well, it was about the third day when it hit me: the only thing being stolen was the sheer pleasure of traveling in another country. The thief was my silly paranoia. <BR> <BR>After that, I relaxed considerably. I got rid of the silly pouch, spent money like a mad woman, and had a freat time. I still took resposibility for my belongings, but the hands gripping my daypack no longer had white knuckles. I think most people are the same the world over -- they're good people. <BR> <BR>