The D is not silent. It stands for dammit, johnny, why you make me go to Bratislava and get pickpocketed to the tune of 300 euro?? Plus, it's 93 degrees here.
This was a textbook incident. First, if I had found an ATM at the airport, I would have left most of the money in the hotel. But I didn't so the first thing I had to do today was get euros. I was going to take my money belt but didn't. Don't I have a safe purse that can't be cut and has secret fasteners? Yes. Did I have it fastened? No. I was very careful about that in Romania but apparently got complacent.
This girl blocked my way into the area to enter a museum. I kept saying "scusi" and fnally, she turned around and apologized. When I got into the museum, I noticed my purse was unzipped. I thought she did it, but now that I remember, there were people behind me--I thought they were trying to go to the museum too but really, they were opening my purse and getting my very small billfold. I lost a credit card, a debit card and my driver's license. I was just surprised because they didn't take anything else--not even my change purse which must have $3 worth of euro coins.
My hotel is a mile up a hill but I didn't care when I set out because I was going to take a taxi. Well...had to walk it (think Straight Street in Cincinnati). I always separate a set of debit and credit cards so I'm not destitute or Djohnny would be wiring me money. I cancelled the cards and the hotel clerk said to contact the American Embassy because often, thieves just take the money and pitch the billfold. The Embassy said, yeah, happens all the time; they'll email me if they get it. Meanwhile, I just hate feeling (1) tres stupid and (2) like I have to guard these two cards with my life. But, I went down to Old Town again, got more euros and ate lunch. So, Djohnny is safe for now.
I'm not exactly sure that I can be blamed for your inability to behave in a responsible manner while travelling abroad. Were you wearing a t-shirt that said,"I'm an American with wads of Euros in my easily-accessed purse. Rob me."? Nor should I be blamed for your choice of a hotel in such a poor location. I do, however, apologize for the 93 degree temperature.
ReplyDeleteDon't have the t-shirt but definitely have the look. Before I was robbed, I was sitting on a park bench, counting my euros and reading my tourist map. I'm sure the thieves said "Look at that crazy American with the $100 safe Travelon purse. She's too stupid to fasten it." As for the hotel, I read on tripadvisor, who knows everything, that it's inappropriate for old people. I mistakenly thought I didn't fit that category.
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