Type of day bag to carry
#21
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 125
I wear a back pack and my boyfried walks beside me an maybe a halfstep back. Never been robbed yet. I think it is the same in any city. You need to be aware of you surroundings but not paranoid. I met two women in Rome who were absolutely terrified. How does one go through life like this? Whether you are in New York, Mexico, Rome, or any other major city I find common sense will keep you safe.
#22
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,943
May I ask why some of you are walking around with so much loot????? Are you sleeping in public parks that you have to carry ALL of your belongings with you like a bag lady??????? Put your valuables in your hotel room safe and only carry what is necessary. You can fit a credit card, ATM card, and a small wad of cash in your pants front pocket. No need to carry a wallet in your back pocket. I doubt anyone is going to ask to see your SS card or driver's license. If you are terrified of having your camera stolen, carry a disposable one--the photos are just as good. If you are a woman, wear your purse across your chest bandolier-style like the women of New York or Philadelphia. Keep your ATM card, credit card, and cash in your pants front pocket. It is highly unlikely a pickpocket will stick his hand in your front pocket.
Why some of you insist on carrying your passport, all of your cash, traveller's cheques, 17 credit cards, your children's photos, etc. around with you all day is beyond me. USE THE HOTEL SAFE.
Why some of you insist on carrying your passport, all of your cash, traveller's cheques, 17 credit cards, your children's photos, etc. around with you all day is beyond me. USE THE HOTEL SAFE.
#23
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
I am thinking that some people feel a little adrift when in a strange country and a little insecure.
Carrying things that are important to them and being well supplied might make some feel more in control of things, more secure.
I think as one travels, one feels more at home, in strange places and will eventually leave a lot of these extraneous items at home or in the hotel.
Picture the professional photographer, he has his wallet in his pocket and his camera around his neck. Film in another pocket. He is good to go. As a traveler, we can do much the same thing, it just takes getting past that initial feeling of being out of ones depth or familiar territory.
(The End of Scarletts dissertation on Traveling with ones Belongings)
Carrying things that are important to them and being well supplied might make some feel more in control of things, more secure.
I think as one travels, one feels more at home, in strange places and will eventually leave a lot of these extraneous items at home or in the hotel.
Picture the professional photographer, he has his wallet in his pocket and his camera around his neck. Film in another pocket. He is good to go. As a traveler, we can do much the same thing, it just takes getting past that initial feeling of being out of ones depth or familiar territory.
(The End of Scarletts dissertation on Traveling with ones Belongings)
#24
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,631
Hi TG
You're neglecting the fact that some of us even when we are at home are lugging around a lot of stuff every day--I already DO feel that I am carrying only what is necessary.
The weight isn't due to the two credit cards, or the wad of cash, and I'm not carrying photos. It's the small camera, the one extra roll of film, the map, the kleenex and bandaids, the lipstick, the sunglasses and reading glasses, the few pages with sightseeing tips and cafes, the souvenir book I just bought and haven't dropped off at the hotel yet, etc. Somehow the ounces add up to pounds. Except for the souvenir book, camera, and map, it's pretty much what I lug around at home during the day.
I don't pack light either--it's a syndrome I guess, the need to have STUFF with me. If only I had Jeeves walking behind me to carry it all.
You're neglecting the fact that some of us even when we are at home are lugging around a lot of stuff every day--I already DO feel that I am carrying only what is necessary.
The weight isn't due to the two credit cards, or the wad of cash, and I'm not carrying photos. It's the small camera, the one extra roll of film, the map, the kleenex and bandaids, the lipstick, the sunglasses and reading glasses, the few pages with sightseeing tips and cafes, the souvenir book I just bought and haven't dropped off at the hotel yet, etc. Somehow the ounces add up to pounds. Except for the souvenir book, camera, and map, it's pretty much what I lug around at home during the day.
I don't pack light either--it's a syndrome I guess, the need to have STUFF with me. If only I had Jeeves walking behind me to carry it all.
#26
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,631
here are two of several past threads on this topic
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34496230
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34594849
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34496230
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34594849
#27
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
I read and read on this forum but the biggest impact made on me was a friend saying right before we left "we tuck cash, a credit card and Driver's License in the FRONT pockets of our jeans and we are good to go".
I went out to Kohl's and bought a small black bag with long strap that I could wear crossed over my chest to hold the "stuff" - camera, extra film, pages from guidebook or Fodor's printouts, but the cash, debit card and DL stayed in my front (black) jeans pocket. The rest of the "valuable" stayed in the room safe. Anything in the bag was replaceable if lost or stolen.
We also took a backpack on days when we planned to picnic or take a Fat Tire Bike Tour. It was great to have to tuck souvenirs in during the day.
I went out to Kohl's and bought a small black bag with long strap that I could wear crossed over my chest to hold the "stuff" - camera, extra film, pages from guidebook or Fodor's printouts, but the cash, debit card and DL stayed in my front (black) jeans pocket. The rest of the "valuable" stayed in the room safe. Anything in the bag was replaceable if lost or stolen.
We also took a backpack on days when we planned to picnic or take a Fat Tire Bike Tour. It was great to have to tuck souvenirs in during the day.
#28
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 316
I would NEVER put my camera or anything else of value in a backpack. Only extra clothes, a map, water, a book etc. Backpacks are a pickpockets delight.
In Napes I did have someone reach in to my front pocket (on a bus). We found Naples to be especially bad, as was the metro in Paris. We never carry our credit card and ATM card in the same pocket just in case someone rips us off. We have seen a lot of careless tourists bring out wads of cash. If we have a fair amount of money, we seperate it and just bring out a little at a time. Common sense has to prevail even if you are away from home and on vacation.
In Napes I did have someone reach in to my front pocket (on a bus). We found Naples to be especially bad, as was the metro in Paris. We never carry our credit card and ATM card in the same pocket just in case someone rips us off. We have seen a lot of careless tourists bring out wads of cash. If we have a fair amount of money, we seperate it and just bring out a little at a time. Common sense has to prevail even if you are away from home and on vacation.
#29
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 93,087
I use my regular (good sized) purse from home. Carrying approx. the same kind & amount of things. As mentioned above no need to tote water about, just stop for a beverage in a cafe or shop if you are thirsty. I use a disposable camera which is light weight and of no value.
For a man, I think a small day-pack or messenger style bag works OK. But keep cash, cards, passport etc. either back in the hotel safe or somehow secure ON your person (inner pocket, money belt or neck pouch if you feel the need).
For a man, I think a small day-pack or messenger style bag works OK. But keep cash, cards, passport etc. either back in the hotel safe or somehow secure ON your person (inner pocket, money belt or neck pouch if you feel the need).
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