I just read the quote below on initaly.com and it scared me blind. Is it true? Can this really happen? <BR> <BR>I'm traveling by overnight train from Munich to Bologna then on to Rome. We have reserved a first class compartment for just the two of us. We are experienced travelers in Europe. Maggie is German and I lived in Europe for ten years. I have never heard of such a thing as I read here. But I'm older now and this makes me nervous. Should I be? <BR> <BR>"Lastly, if you are traveling in overnight trains, especally across the Swiss and French borders, be aware that there are gangs <BR>that have keys to the compartments. They enter and use chemicals to knock you out while they rob you blind. There's not much <BR>you can do to stop that, except place all the luggage you can find in front of the door so it makes an infernal racket when it's <BR>opened (but you'll find this is not practical if you're in a couchette with strangers who use the toilets often....). One trick we've <BR>tried successfully is to place our money and jewelry in our socks and wear them. You can slip your passport under the rear side <BR>of the mattress - but don't forget it in the morning!" <BR> <BR>I would appreciate any comments. <BR>Thanks, <BR>John

John, while I'm not sure anyone can *guarantee* that something like this has *never* happened, it's my opinion that it's an "urban legend", travel department. I've read about these stories for years and put little, if any, stock in them. <BR> <BR>I just got a "serious" email from a friend today, WARNING me (and others) about gangs in Jacksonville, Florida who put hypodermic needles -- with, of course, the AIDS virus -- on gas pump handles. The official-sounding letter he forwarded was from some Jacksonville police office. I checked the web and, needless to say: urban legend. The "police officer" does not exist, and neither do the gangs with hypodermic needles. <BR> <BR>Sadly, the internet gives a broad forum to people who get their jollies by creating stories to scare people.

Thanks Capo, that's reassuring. Intellectually, I know what you say is true, but reading stuff like that is still scary. <BR>thanks, again, I'm going to relax and continue to look forward to my trip with excitement. <BR>John

I've taken that train twice and had no problems. Did you know that each sleeper car has an attendant? He/she is supposed to watch over the car.

Thanks, Paige. I needed that. I guess I knew they had attendants, but that post on initaly still made me nervous. I feel better already. <BR>John