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This is terrible to hear - poor woman.Hello, I just wanted to warn fellow pilgrims of a theft today in Cahors. I wasn't the victim it was another pilgrim. I'm not naming the gite it occurred at because I don't believe the gite was at fault and I wouldn't like for the gite to have negative repercussions. The pilgrim was leaving at breakfast time and she put her backpack down in the garden while she went inside for a few minutes to get something. The garden was gated. In that time someone came into the garden through the gate and stole her whole backpack. They got her bank cards, cash and all her equipment including camping equipment. The only luck she had was that her phone was in her pocket. She was planning to go all the way to Compostella and now is going home. Since the thief has been lucky once he is likely to try the same thing again. Please don't be complacent with your bags, I'm guilty of it myself and this has been a sharp reminder. Stay safe everyone.
So sad!!! I was just telling my sister that I always leave my backpack in front of the gîte and go walk around until it opens. Now I feel like I have to be more careful.Hello, I just wanted to warn fellow pilgrims of a theft today in Cahors. I wasn't the victim it was another pilgrim. I'm not naming the gite it occurred at because I don't believe the gite was at fault and I wouldn't like for the gite to have negative repercussions. The pilgrim was leaving at breakfast time and she put her backpack down in the garden while she went inside for a few minutes to get something. The garden was gated. In that time someone came into the garden through the gate and stole her whole backpack. They got her bank cards, cash and all her equipment including camping equipment. The only luck she had was that her phone was in her pocket. She was planning to go all the way to Compostella and now is going home. Since the thief has been lucky once he is likely to try the same thing again. Please don't be complacent with your bags, I'm guilty of it myself and this has been a sharp reminder. Stay safe everyone.
Yes. You always needed to be, but it's pretty normal to forget that in another place.Now I feel like I have to be more careful.
I do carry my valuables with me ALWAYS, but I’ve left my pack unattended.Yes. You always needed to be, but it's pretty normal to forget that in another place.
I grew up in a tourist destination. Tourists often do things here that they would never consider for a moment at home, like leaving keys in the car or valuables in plain sight while going elsewhere to do something. Or stopping their rental car in the middle of a busy road to take a photo, and ambling across several lanes of traffic to a tourist attraction without a glance in either direction. That kind of thing. As if this some alternative universe where everything is nice - when it's actually the same gritty world with prettier (or just different) scenery.
The same applies when we travel overseas. Don't leave your mind at home.
Me too. It's easy to do, that dropping of caution.I do carry my valuables with me ALWAYS, but I’ve left my pack unattended.
I'm sorry to hear this, though I have ranted over and over, as have other experienced pilgrims, NOT to leave anything of value in your pack... ever. Bank cards, cash, all need to be on your person constantly, even in the shower. It's just common sense.Hello, I just wanted to warn fellow pilgrims of a theft today in Cahors. I wasn't the victim it was another pilgrim. I'm not naming the gite it occurred at because I don't believe the gite was at fault and I wouldn't like for the gite to have negative repercussions. The pilgrim was leaving at breakfast time and she put her backpack down in the garden while she went inside for a few minutes to get something. The garden was gated. In that time someone came into the garden through the gate and stole her whole backpack. They got her bank cards, cash and all her equipment including camping equipment. The only luck she had was that her phone was in her pocket. She was planning to go all the way to Compostella and now is going home. Since the thief has been lucky once he is likely to try the same thing again. Please don't be complacent with your bags, I'm guilty of it myself and this has been a sharp reminder. Stay safe everyone.
Excellent advice. Although I have never had anything stolen, I follow this practice religiously more for my own peace of mind.This is terrible to hear - poor woman.
When I was preparing for my first camino earlier this year (finished in Santiago on the 17th July) i watched a lot of videos for advice on everthing.
One young American girl was especially helpfull and she advised to take all credit cards, cash, passport, etc in a bumbag and do not take it off ever, apart from showering and sleeping. When showering, have ti with you and when sleeping, have it in your sleepong bag/liner.
I followed this wise advice and thankfully did not lose anything.
I did however speak to three people who had had money stolen on the camino, all three in SJPP in different albergues. All three did not use a bumbag.
Its virtually imposible to travel the camino and not leave your backpack unatended at sometime - so use of a bumbag is wise. if you lose your backpack,clothes and towel and slepping bag etc, its bad, but you can replace them. having yourour documennts, c/c, passport etc stolen is soul destroying.
I have used this exact method to carry all my valuables and it has served me well on all my Caminos. Whatever you prefer to call them...bumbags/fanny packs/waist bags, they are the easiest, safest and handsfree way to keep important items close. It gives me a feeling of safety to have them literally "on my person" and at my fingertips, tight against my body all day long.One young American girl was especially helpfull and she advised to take all credit cards, cash, passport, etc in a bumbag and do not take it off ever, apart from showering and sleeping. When showering, have ti with you and when sleeping, have it in your sleepong bag/liner.
I followed this wise advice and thankfully did not lose anything.
I understand what you say, Kanga, but I don't see the advantage, and when showering or changing into sleep wear from your skirt you must need to remove a small wallet type item anyway to take to the shower or put in your sleeping liner/bag at night. Even if your valuables are well protected in the special pocket, the majority of women do not choose to wear the longish skirts, or a large front pack like you have used.Pockets. Fabulous things. You can't leave your valuables behind if they are safely in your pocket.
One of the main reasons I wear the skirt you see in my Avatar. It has big pockets with a clever security zip inside one - the zip opens upwards, instead of down. Which makes it impossible for someone to do without me knowing.
Big pockets in pants work too. I wear my clothes into the shower so obviously the pockets come with me. I change into my clean clothes in the shower, and transfer my valuables at that time. I sleep in those clothes ready for the next day.I understand what you say, Kanga, but I don't see the advantage, and when showering or changing into sleep wear from your skirt you must need to remove a small wallet type item anyway to take to the shower or put in your sleeping liner/bag at night.
Thank you for sharing this. Have never experienced this type of event and it makes me so sad.Hello, I just wanted to warn fellow pilgrims of a theft today in Cahors. I wasn't the victim it was another pilgrim. I'm not naming the gite it occurred at because I don't believe the gite was at fault and I wouldn't like for the gite to have negative repercussions. The pilgrim was leaving at breakfast time and she put her backpack down in the garden while she went inside for a few minutes to get something. The garden was gated. In that time someone came into the garden through the gate and stole her whole backpack. They got her bank cards, cash and all her equipment including camping equipment. The only luck she had was that her phone was in her pocket. She was planning to go all the way to Compostella and now is going home. Since the thief has been lucky once he is likely to try the same thing again. Please don't be complacent with your bags, I'm guilty of it myself and this has been a sharp reminder. Stay safe everyone.
I use one of these all the time, when flying and also hiking. I have them in all my luggage and know at all times where they are. It also helps my family “find me “ on their phonesI travel on a very regular basis for my job (68 flights last year alone) and I carry a very small lightweight tracker in my bag in the event the airline sends it elsewhere. Although it can't be a substitute for being alert, it looks like I'll be throwing it in my pack when I walk next April.
I did the Camino del Norte and when I was done spent a few days in Santiago then back to Madrid for three days. On my last day, someone pickpocketed my shoulder bag. I wasn't in a crowd and can't believe after fourteen times in Spain and knowing Madrid well I was robbed. The person unzipped my bag and took my wallet with three credit cards, 70 Euros and 15 Canadian leaving me with nothing. At the pension where I was staying the man in charge gave me enough money for food and was able to get the bus to the airport the next day. One needs to be careful and aware. The first time such a thing has happened to me.Hello, I just wanted to warn fellow pilgrims of a theft today in Cahors. I wasn't the victim it was another pilgrim. I'm not naming the gite it occurred at because I don't believe the gite was at fault and I wouldn't like for the gite to have negative repercussions. The pilgrim was leaving at breakfast time and she put her backpack down in the garden while she went inside for a few minutes to get something. The garden was gated. In that time someone came into the garden through the gate and stole her whole backpack. They got her bank cards, cash and all her equipment including camping equipment. The only luck she had was that her phone was in her pocket. She was planning to go all the way to Compostella and now is going home. Since the thief has been lucky once he is likely to try the same thing again. Please don't be complacent with your bags, I'm guilty of it myself and this has been a sharp reminder. Stay safe everyone.
Sorry about the theft. So inconvenient and expensive. I use the luggage transfer and have had people (not the transport company, I am sure!) steal from my backpack. Once in the tiny little pocket at the top, someone stole a small bag which contained my earbuds - they must have thought it was money and it was easy to grab in a second. Another time, I had a bag of cough candies - again, no big loss but just to show that people will quickly unzip a compartment which has no lock and steal whatever is in there. Sometimes, it is more the inconvenience than the cost but beware if you leave your bag unattended for luggage transfer. Dishonest people have the opportunity for a quick "lift". If you don't want to use a lock, even a twist tie which you twist several times might stop a quicker-than-the-eye-can-see theft. I label my hiking sticks so that if I forget them, someone might call me to let me know they have found them. Label your guide book and all your other items.Hello, I just wanted to warn fellow pilgrims of a theft today in Cahors. I wasn't the victim it was another pilgrim. I'm not naming the gite it occurred at because I don't believe the gite was at fault and I wouldn't like for the gite to have negative repercussions. The pilgrim was leaving at breakfast time and she put her backpack down in the garden while she went inside for a few minutes to get something. The garden was gated. In that time someone came into the garden through the gate and stole her whole backpack. They got her bank cards, cash and all her equipment including camping equipment. The only luck she had was that her phone was in her pocket. She was planning to go all the way to Compostella and now is going home. Since the thief has been lucky once he is likely to try the same thing again. Please don't be complacent with your bags, I'm guilty of it myself and this has been a sharp reminder. Stay safe everyone.
Funny you should mention this, I used the luggage transfer to have a day without my pack and after this poor lady's experience in Cahors I have been too paranoid to use it again. Not because of the company, but because I see the bags unattended while waiting for pick up and its definitely made me rethink it.Sorry about the theft. So inconvenient and expensive. I use the luggage transfer and have had people (not the transport company, I am sure!) steal from my backpack. Once in the tiny little pocket at the top, someone stole a small bag which contained my earbuds - they must have thought it was money and it was easy to grab in a second. Another time, I had a bag of cough candies - again, no big loss but just to show that people will quickly unzip a compartment which has no lock and steal whatever is in there. Sometimes, it is more the inconvenience than the cost but beware if you leave your bag unattended for luggage transfer. Dishonest people have the opportunity for a quick "lift". If you don't want to use a lock, even a twist tie which you twist several times might stop a quicker-than-the-eye-can-see theft. I label my hiking sticks so that if I forget them, someone might call me to let me know they have found them. Label your guide book and all your other items.
When I've entered the albergues/hotels on the Caminos I quite often have noticed the bags lined up inside, not far from the entrance doors; often in a vestibule with no one around. I had not thought about potential theft from unattended bags, but it now gives me pause.Not because of the company, but because I see the bags unattended while waiting for pick up and its definitely made me rethink it.
Hmmm. I've only used a transport once and that was on the Camino Portugues. The route that day was to be very steep and the weather very hot, so I splurged. Took me quite awhile to find the albergue (no sign on the road where to turn, and 4 locals misdirected me because they didn't really know where the albergue was), and when I found it, there were several packs lined up outside the place--and not near the door. Reading the experiences above, I now see how anyone could have walked by the albergue and walked off with a pack or two, unseen.When I've entered the albergues/hotels on the Caminos I quite often have noticed the bags lined up inside, not far from the entrance doors; often in a vestibule with no one around. I had not thought about potential theft from unattended bags, but it now gives me pause.
You can ask, but the logistics of providing this service at a low cost, at low cost albergues, may not be favourable.If I were to use a transport again, I will now ask my pack be left inside the albergue.
Thankfully theft related to the bag services sounds like a real rarity on this forum; both with bags being stolen at the drop-off points or things taken out of the bags.You can ask, but the logistics of providing this service at a low cost, at low cost albergues, may not be favourable.
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