Beware the BUMP on the Bus and other Rome, Italy Warning Or Danger Tips

I never like to mention any negatives about my visit to Italy,but I feel I must warn future travelers about a common criminal activity in Rome ( probably any large Italian city as well)
The pickpockets are Rampant ...especially on city busses. My theory is ..what they can't get their hands on they can't steal....so I always wear a jacket and have my money or other valuables underneath . Out of sight out of mind!! and out of reach of tiny delicate fingers. Here is my horror story.....
I warned my traveling partner about not carrying her purse, however, she failed to listen to me and carried it over her shoulder anyway. As luck would have it, we were seperated on a busy bus on our way to the Parthenon. I got off at the correct stop and looked over my shoulder ..she was nowhere in sight. The view of the Parthenon was wonderful and kind of enjoyable to savor alone....since she never arrived , I decided to grab a cab back to the hotel...our prearranged agreement was to head back to the hotel if we were seperated. When I reached the hotel, I saw that she was there in a frantic mood as her purse had been "picked"!!! She had been "bumped"by a large man with an overcoat..!! Of course he had slipped his hand inside her purse ( the purse she thought was impenatrable) and grabbed her wallet. As upset as she was....we were both relieved that she'd locked her passport in the hotel safe. Off we went to la policia!! to no avail of course. She was robbed of cash and credit cards..so the rest of the afternoon was spent cancelling said cards and bemoaning the fact that the cash was forever gone.

So...a word of warning...be aware..keep your head up and your eyes open and put your valuable close to your body away from pickpocketing fingers...

Leave a Comment