Purse or Not?
 

I am going to Europe and Africa and i have read literature about how women (or anyone) should not have a purse with them when walking down the street.

A money belt will not work unless it is for long term keeping--i am not going to dig into a belt everytime i need cash.

Around the neck and under the shirt will work--but i may need more space than that.

any suggestions? I want the flexibility of having the "room" with a bag (to stuff things in and carry a jacket), but i do not want my large sachel to have a "rob me" sign on it either.

Your money belt is indeed for long term storage. You should only be carrying one day's worth of money outside your money belt, so it doesn't matter so much how you carry it. I use a day pack - a small backpack, with outside pockets to hold a water bottle ans folding umbrella (doubles as a sunshade), along with my guidebook and camera. A shoulder bag worn across the body works if you want to look dressier.

that is a great idea. thank you.

In Europe I have always dressed as I do at home in the US, purse and all - especially in cities. I have never worn a money belt here or abroad because I rarely use a backpack. I use a shoulder bag - sometimes cross-body/sometimes not. My first trip to Africa is also solo, but it is a safari/tour group, so I will probably just have a daypack for game drives and a small cross-body bag for my few valuables and camera.
Jess

There is a long thread on money belts on the Europe board. Personally, I wouldn't leave home without one. The fact that you haven't been pickpocketed yet doesn't mean that you won't be. It only takes a moment's inattention.

okay great. thank you very much.

I think this is a great fanny pack you could use while in Europe or Africa:

http://tinyurl.com/23jbfo

I have a similar lizard-looking one that worked great.

I'm not big on daypacks/backpacks because when they are on my back, I have no control of their contents, and when they're not on my back, they're kind of a pain to carry for me.

Instead, I use one of three options:

1. Messenger bag that hangs at my front (so someone can't touch it from behind me) with my wallet (has a wristlet strap that unhooks) hooked around one of the bag straps and then placed inside the bag - not only do they need to get the wallet out of the bag, they need to cut it off the bag strap.

2. Camera waistpack with the pack in the front (over one leg). My wristlet wallet is hooked through the waistpack straps and tucked between the pack and my stomach.

3. Wristlet wallet only - strap around my wrist, wallet in hand and tucked up into my elbow (like a football).

So far, I've had no problems with any of these setups.

I have a small travel purse, brown leather, I wear traveling. Big enough just for a little money, passport, lipstick, kleenex, pen and small notepad. The strap is long enough to go across my torso.

In Europe, I just use my normal pocketbook like I would at home. I believe part of safety is not doing things differently. Don't wear new shoes, don't carry new pocketbooks (is my motto).

A money belt is not meant to be accessed during the day. It is kept under your clothing, to keep large cash and travel docs safe. You keep you day-time money you need to access somewhere else (purse, coin purse, pocket, whatever).

If I want to tote stuff around I like to use a canvas bag, like you'd have for groceries. With a coin purse in the bottom. Not high security but just for stuff like a jacket (you mentioned) or water bottle, or if you are shopping along the way. A small backpack style day-bag works well too, just not my style.

thank you all for the quick responses and the useful information. Happy Traveling!

I use my messenger bag like Suze uses the canvas bag. It's just big enough to hold a scarf or jacket, water, book, etc. and I can slip my purchases into it.

One thing I've learned is that I want a purse or wallet small enough to fit comfortably on my lap at a restaurant. That way I don't have to worry about someone grabbing it or my leaving it behind. If I'm using the messenger bag, I tend to place it between my feet with the strap wound around a bit or over my knee.

Check at travelsmith.com. They have purses supposed to be stop thieves in their tracks. The straps can not be cut.

There are two schools of thought about the purse straps with cables in them. If someone grabs it as they go by on a scooter (for example) you could be dragged down the street as the strap would not break.

I don't like those Travelsmith bags for myself. Way too many pockets, zippers, clips, etc. I like a bag with one simple nice roomy compartment only.

I too usually walk with a small messenger type bag with a strap across my front so it hangs on my hip, forward and I can feel it..I like it big enought to hold small purchases.

It is somewhat large for under a shirt but there are bags for walkers that have a strap to go over your shoulder and there are zipper compartments as well. Mine is not nearby right now so I will try to remember to get the name of the company that make them so you can check them out. You might want to go to a sporting goods store and ask what they have.

Has anyone on this board actually been pickpocketed?
If so, how did it go down?

Knock on wood, I never have. Several people I know have been and it linked back to their lack of awareness at the time.

They left their purse out in the open and out of their line of sight (let alone reach), they didn't pay attention to the man sidling up to them, etc. Basically, they lacked common sense.

Not me either. Though I will confess I've lost money myself a couple times (thru carelessness) when traveling but never had it taken from me.

Two things you may wish to consider. If you take a purse, put it under your coat. As long as no one else knows that your purse is under there, you are fine. I actually did that recently when I had to take the train to the hotel.

For the main part of my trip however, I ended up using a small rectangular zipper purse for my valuables. Hotel did not have safe. I put valuables in the purse and it was small enough to tuck into my pants and upper portion of underwear so that if it fell, the purse woud not suddenly fall to the floor without my being able to intervene first!