 Pickpockets on Quito Buses |
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 matty1 matt Post Count: 39 Msg: #1 89 days ago, September 5th 2008 | hi, i just want to warn any fellow travellers to Quito about this little scam. | its a great place to go, i dont think this should let anyone be deterred from visiting but if you want to keep your camera for the Galapagos or whatever then read on. there are 3 tram-bus routes in Quito city centre (ie. normal buses driven by an electrical line) there are some nifty pickpockets working on these buses daily, i think there is a market somewhere in the city where their pickings are sold. in my own experience it was two women in their 30s or 40s with handbags (unlikely looking pickpockets at that.) i was surprised that it was two "motherlike" characters , but as i was informed by an ecuadorian,. thats where the kids learn it i was lucky that i caught them, but in just one week i met 8 !! other travellers who had been relieved of their credit cards, cameras, passports etc... right under their noses. they way they work is, they take advantage of the fact that the bus is packed like sardines at rush hour, therefore any passengers will naturally have to put up with pushing and shoving without thinking anything of it. dont be alarmed, i believe you can use these buses all the time without danger, as i did. but give some thought to the following advice: do NOT get on any bus which is packed to the door like sardines. there is a bus every couple of minutes and 1 in every 3 or 4 buses is fairly empty. also, wrap a jacket or something around you. covering you pockets. this will help a lot. any bag is a target. a day bag hanging on the front will not deter them. (2 girls did this and still lost their SLR cameras and wallet and were totally unawares) do not have any bulky item like a camera or wallet in your trouser pockets. thats the kind of thing they are looking (feeling around) for, a cut can be made over this item without you feeling a thing! i saw them working in a pair, so be aware of people no all sides. one might be pushing you a bit while the other tries your pocket. basically dont let anyone be pushing or rubbing against you at all. hope this helps someone not to be robbed. Note: i love ecuador, and i really love ecuadorian people so much i dont wanna leave! but there are some sneaky people in the cities. thats all. oh and one more thing, if you do get slashed, there are plenty of little shops around who will sew up your bag or pants again for about $1 ! best of luck Number of Users: 1 | Number of Posts: 1 | ||||||
