How worried should I be about theft in Italy?
Feb 28th, 2007, 05:36 AM
#21
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flygirl - If you want a fast and light prime lens, consider the Sigma 30mm/1.4. A little wider than the Canon 35, and on the 1.6x crop body, it's basically the same as a 50mm standard lens on full frame.
From what I read, the optics is really nice, but some people have problems with quality. May want to test one out at a store.
From what I read, the optics is really nice, but some people have problems with quality. May want to test one out at a store.
Mar 1st, 2007, 12:23 PM
#22
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Hi ltilley,
I last did Italy in '95 but I'm sure things are pretty much the same vis a vis pickpockets. I was solo on my trip but was amused to see a trio of gypsy children about 8-12 years old make a bee-line towards me when the recognised a North American tourist.
What they'l often do (if the MO hasn't changed, that is) is open a newspaper over their forearm and pretend to be begging for a handout. The newspaper is to cover their hand from view while they try to pickpocket you. In my case, I was wearing a pair of Tilley Endurables pants which have an inside Velcro pocket so I wasn't actually concerned about losing anything.
Bottom line, you're going to be readily identifiable to any local as a tourist and the trick will be to not have anything more on your person than you really need to be carrying.
HTH and is not too late.
I last did Italy in '95 but I'm sure things are pretty much the same vis a vis pickpockets. I was solo on my trip but was amused to see a trio of gypsy children about 8-12 years old make a bee-line towards me when the recognised a North American tourist.
What they'l often do (if the MO hasn't changed, that is) is open a newspaper over their forearm and pretend to be begging for a handout. The newspaper is to cover their hand from view while they try to pickpocket you. In my case, I was wearing a pair of Tilley Endurables pants which have an inside Velcro pocket so I wasn't actually concerned about losing anything.
Bottom line, you're going to be readily identifiable to any local as a tourist and the trick will be to not have anything more on your person than you really need to be carrying.
HTH and is not too late.
Mar 1st, 2007, 08:46 PM
#23
Join Date: Dec 2006
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I've been to Europe umpteen times and was accosted my very first week there back in 1985, in Nice, by a gypsy woman and her kids.
I thought I'd broken my thum trying to get away, but I was lucky that time, and a great lesson learned.
One has to take the NYC attitude, don't look at other people, act as if you belong.
PAY ATTENTION. This doesn't mean that you can't have a good time and relax. Know when to relax and when to pay attention. Warn others, if you see a potential problem, traveling with you, as they might be more naive or less traveled than you.
I have used Le Sport Sac since day 1, with its 5 zippers, to get around.
I was beginning to feel pretty much infallible about traveling until last year, when someone 'lifted' 50 Euros out of my pants pocket in a metro in Rome during a 'disturbance'.
The good news is that Le Sport Sac, with all of its zippers, is hard to get in to. It carries anything from a camera and lenses to a 12 pack, and everything in between.
Net net, rravel smart.
I thought I'd broken my thum trying to get away, but I was lucky that time, and a great lesson learned.
One has to take the NYC attitude, don't look at other people, act as if you belong.
PAY ATTENTION. This doesn't mean that you can't have a good time and relax. Know when to relax and when to pay attention. Warn others, if you see a potential problem, traveling with you, as they might be more naive or less traveled than you.
I have used Le Sport Sac since day 1, with its 5 zippers, to get around.
I was beginning to feel pretty much infallible about traveling until last year, when someone 'lifted' 50 Euros out of my pants pocket in a metro in Rome during a 'disturbance'.
The good news is that Le Sport Sac, with all of its zippers, is hard to get in to. It carries anything from a camera and lenses to a 12 pack, and everything in between.
Net net, rravel smart.
