Stay safe, avoid pickpockets

This post is not meant to scare or turn anyone away from travelling. It’s meant to inform and help you have an enjoyable, safe trip. I have to be honest, I was terrified about being pick-pocketed before leaving, but I had no issues on my trip.  

Typical sign placed in a tourist spot warning of pickpockets

Unfortunately, pickpockets are a hazard in nearly all tourist destinations. Pickpockets can be anywhere, but here are some higher risk signs for being pick-pocketed:

• People who ask for money
• Crowded areas
• Obviously standing out (check out these tips for blending in)
• Open markets

Pickpockets also use many techniques, with the most common technique being distraction.

The best advice I can offer is to always pay attention to your surroundings, walk with purpose and keep your belongings close to you. Some ways to do this are:

• Use a fake wallet/attach your wallet to a chain
• Wear a money belt
• On public transit, keep your back to a wall and your belongings where you can see them
• Be wary of distractions
• If someone bumps into you, check your pockets immediately
• Spread your money around (e.g. some in pockets, some in wallet), don’t take all of your money with you
• Don’t flash valuables around unnecessarily

I kept my money in my wallet, which was attached to a chain in my front pocket, and I also kept money in an inside pocket in my backpack.

Just remember, exercise caution like you would in any big city, know what scams to look out for, walk with confidence and use common sense. Do you have any pick-pocket experiences or tips? Feel free to share them in the comments! 

Below is a documentary of pickpockets in Naples. It's a little long, but if you have the time, I highly recommend watching it.

Hostels Part II- What to look for when booking

Hopefully I’ve convinced you to stay in hostels for your backpacking trip. Like I said in my last post, I was also apprehensive, and thought staying in hostels would have been like this: 

For those who do not know, the above clip is from the movie Eurotrip, and is meant to be humourous and poke fun at the myths surrounding hostels (which are far from reality). To avoid any bad experiences, here are some things to keep in mind when booking:

• Do your research–read reviews and recommendations, visit the hostel’s website. I would try to book hostels that have a 70-75% rating and above.
• Hostel atmosphere– most are pretty laid back, but some are notorious party hostels. It's good to know what you're getting into, and you can usually get an indication from reviews or guidebooks.
• Location (you most likely will be walking A LOT).
• Book popular hostels/destinations early- I forgot to book early for my Verona stop, and I ended up booking a hostel on a dark street on the outskirts of town. It was a rickety apartment building. The “lobby” was in the stairwell, and the “front desk staff” was a man sitting at a school desk with a laptop. I had no issues at the hostel, but I’m just trying to give you an idea what booking late or settling for the cheapest hostel may get you.
• Security- safe/reputable area, swipe cards, etc. 



Typical hostel lobby

• Free amenities (wifi, breakfast, lockers, etc.).

Booking a bed in a hostel can be done through the hostel’s website if there is one, or through 3^rd party sites like Hostelbookers and Hostelworld. I used these sites for all of my bookings.

Lastly, during your stay, don’t forget your hostel etiquette!