After a Theft

As mentioned earlier, if something is stolen, even if it’s your backpack, don’t panic. Yes, it’s a hassle, but you will be amazed at how much better things will feel after a few days. Whatever you do, don’t give up and go home. In the long run, that will cost you far more than the loss of your bag. The first steps that my friend took after her car was broken into were exactly right: look around the neighborhood, if it’s safe to do so, report the theft to the police, and stay in town for a day or so to see if something turns up. Beyond that, there’s not much you can do to get your stuff back. If it’s not coming back, I can only advise you to let it go, and try not to let it ruin the rest of your vacation. Easy for me to say, I know.

Your difficulties will be greatly magnified if your documents and money or credit cards are taken with your backpack. In that case, you’ll need to make a collect call home in order to get your credit cards canceled and to get some money shipped out, followed by a trip to the embassy for a temporary passport (see pp.156 and 138 (oi info on express mail and wiring money). The embassy can arrange to get money sent to you from someone else, but don’t expect any cash from them unless you are really desperate. The next step ist0 call the airline so they can issue you a new ticket. In this situation, a hundred-dollar bill or fifty-pound note (that you sewed into the lining of your shoe or jacket) would be a major help. I do it.

If the above situation sounds unpleasant, it is. Remember what I said earlier about having a copy of your passport, credit cards, travelers’ checks, and airline tickets taped to the refrigerator at home? In a situation like the one just described, that piece of paper could be faxed to you in half an hour, and make your life much, much easier. Packing a box full of stuff that can be shipped out to you could have you back on the road, ready to travel, in three days. After prevention, it’s the best theft insurance I can think of.