The Theft

Posted on by Ragnhild

It happened in the blink of an eye, we were getting on a bus, and while I stepped on – I felt a push. I steadied myself, and just knew. I knew, but it was too late. I looked down and my purse was open. I searched it to be sure, but my wallet? It was gone.

To my surprise, I got the wallet back. I was trying to explain the situation to my friends, when a lady tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the floor. My wallet. I picked it up and thanked her, not even considering that she might be the thief. But she could have been. Anyone can be a thief.

cof

I wonder where they went with my money…

I feel somewhat lucky in my misfortune, because they left my card. It appears Bulgarian thieves are quite like the rest of Bulgaria – old fashioned. However, I also have this strange sensation in my stomach. Empty? Angry? Mostly confused I think, and a bit… Humiliated? They didn’t get much; I always spread my valuables, but still – someone targeted me, and I, the supposedly seasoned traveler, was unable to prevent it.

cof

Perhaps the thief/ the thieves will buy themselves something tasty – too bad not for me too.

Back at the hotel, my friends still kindly comforting me, one of them realized that she had been robbed too. In her case they had managed to slip the wallet back into her purse. We have no idea how, and writing this, I can’t help but be a little impressed. It is a cruel way to make a living, but it definitely takes speed and skill.

Have any of you ever been robbed? All comments appreciated!

 

 

42 thoughts on “The Theft”

  1. Sigh…at least you are ok. I have not been robbed while on vacation, but I have had my house broken into and my television taken. They left the remote and the tv does not work without the remote. So, some bit of justice did happen. Lol

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  2. Years ago someone stole my wallet. I got the wallet back but the $$ was long gone. At they didn’t hurt you and you still have your cards, etc. You never know these days…! I hope you were able to still enjoy your travels despite your theft.

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    1. I had a great day until it happened, but afterwards that strange feeling of being a victim just stayed with me. I’m sure it will disappear in the next couple of days though. You’re right, I didn’t get hurt, and I was so lucky to get my cards back! It sucks that this happens to so many people; I hope they didn’t get much from you!

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    1. It sure was an awful feeling! The day got better, but I think it will take some time to shake of the paranoia I now feel in crowds. I’m glad you haven’t had to experience something like this – hope you never have to!:)

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    1. I wonder about that too! I think it might have something to do with making the target feel as if nothing had happened – say, if the target were to search his or her bag for her wallet and find it in place, he or she may not notice the theft until the wallet is actually opened.

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    2. I haven’t really thought of it like that! Perhaps you’re right, it might be an act of honor, although I think it is more likely what Sabrina says – that they didn’t want me to make a scene. I don’t know though, probably never will :/

      ps, love your nickname NotAThief:)

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    1. Wow, you must be on constant alert! I thought I was, but clearly I wasn’t when it happened… Oh well, hopefully it will have a different ending if someone tries again.

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    1. What they did to you was cruel. I’m so glad you didn’t get hurt or anything. It must have been horrible waking up to know that someone was right there while you were sleeping!

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  7. Sounds like the cash loss was less painful than the feeling of victimization. Being a man, on travel I have a “fake” wallet in my back pocket with a few small bills, and useless plastic cards and a “sarcastic” note inside. No one has ever snatched it yet. Darn!

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    1. Yes, I think that’s it. I can always get more money, but I’ve never had anything stolen before – so the whole situation is new to me.
      Haha. I love that idea! What does the note say?

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  8. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I was robbed of my camera, prescription shades and rail timetable when I dozed off on a train going into Nice. They had gone after my day pack instead of my clothes. And these things were crucial to my trip! I went to the police HQ first and talked to a Swedish family who had everything stolen from them – EVERYTHING! – for the second straight Summer on the same campsite. That prompted my immediate exit from the country. I just flew home, my holiday was ruined. The rate of robbery in the South of France beggars belief but thieves are everywhere. The only hope you have is not to dress like a tourist. They rarely go after anyone in a smart suit! Or someone who’s wide awake… Be well.

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    2. Wow, Elaine, that really, really sucks. I have been lucky compared to you and that poor Swedish family. I’m so sorry your whole holiday was ruined. I don’t understand how people justify stealing.
      Hmm, I probably look like a tourist. And if I don’t, I certainly sound like one. Me and my friends were speaking Norwegian with each other – discussing which bus to take. Perhaps that made us their target. I don’t know, but it seems like I have to be even more alert in the future. I thought I already was, but clearly not :/

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      1. I stepped onto a Metro in Paris with my parents and within 30 seconds my dad had something taken from his back pocket – the thieves will have been very disappointed as it was his tobacco pouch and not the anticipated wallet!

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        1. Haha, I hope they were! I’m glad your dad didn’t lose his wallet. I can’t accept how incredibly rude these thieves are. But I guess that is the way of the world at the moment, or perhaps it always has been

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  10. So sorry this happened to you. 😦 It’s just an awful, helpless feeling.

    I’ve been worrying about street crime a bit lately as I’m bringing my young son to Barcelona later this year. I’ve only visited Madrid, where I blended in very well. You hear so much more about petty theft in Barcelona, plus my son is guaranteed to speak English (constantly, and at the top of his lungs.) I’m not sure if a mother with child is a better target (obvious + distracted) or worse (pockets full of used Kleenex + sticky wrappers instead of cash!)

    My house was burglarized a few years ago. The disgusting feeling was far worse than the financial loss. Though they did steal a little velvet box full of love notes my husband wrote to me every weekend during our first few years of marriage. Those were irreplaceable.

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    1. Compared to you, my situation is not bad at all. I would have been so uncomfortable if someone broke into my home! And you lost something valuable too… Money is just money in the long run, but those letters? That’s so sad! I don’t understand how people can do things like this, and at least they could have given the letters back.

      Hopefully it will turn out okay. One good thing about traveling with kids is that they’re always active – always taking in everything. I imagine it must be hard to steal something of a parent with the kids around, out in the open I mean. Going on a bus like me? Now that could happen to everyone, sadly 😦

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  11. What a shame. They certainly do have nimble fingers don’t they. Are am glad to say that throughout all my travels I have never been robbed. But as you point out yourself, being vigilant is not always sufficient protection. It could happen to any of us, anywhere, in our own home town or thousands of miles from home.

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    1. Lucky you! I’ve always known that it might happen, but until it acutally did, I didn’t think it would. However, if I had to choose between being robbed abroad or in my home, I would much rather be robbed on vactaion. I can leave this place, and the uneasy feeling with it. Had it happened at home… No, I’m just glad it didn’t:)

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  16. My near misses are stranger than the times I’ve had my wallet taken. I spent several years in Costa Rica, and these things happened. As my bus was arriving in San Jose, Costa Rica, I looked out the window and saw a young man with a towel over his arm. I didn’t think much about it, got off the bus and started walking down the street when I realized the young man was behind me. I crossed the streeet and he crossed, too. After another block, when I realized he really was following me, I turned back to face him, and he was forced to walk on past me while I stared at him. I think the towel was to cover whatever he stole. It was creepy.
    Another time, I felt a bump on my back as I walked through the market. I whirled around to find a small boy holding out a plastic bag. He’d managed to unzip the outer pocket of my daypack and tried to nudge what was in it so that it would fall into his bag. He’d close it up and walk away, while no one would know what happened. Since then I don’t carry anything in an outside pocket.
    I am lucky to have avoided these two.

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    1. Wow! You must be really brave! I would have been freaked out if a guy started following me like that. So sad about that kid that tried to steal from you, some of them start young… I’m glad they got nothing! Although I’m sure it still must have be an uncomfortable experience for you both times…

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