28 > Sunday, May‘24, 1987 -.North Shore’ News Travel DANGER ‘EUROPE Travellers warned of theft on trains iT IS likely that readers occasionally get annoyed at my printing dire warnings about health and safety for travellers. After all, everyone else seems to get along just fine, don’t they? Well, not ail of them. Period- ically, I write an article — mainly aimed at young travellers —- about safety on European trains. It’s a pity that one young local pair iw travel wise by Barbera McCreadie i] didn't happen to pick them up on one of the cardinal rules: Don’t fall asleep at night in ordinary compartments, Either travel only by day, and stay awake, or pur- chase a Wagons-Lits compariment where you have a bed and a lock on the door. The two are 20. They spent the winter working in London and began their European vacation in the spring. They had met a group of other young people and teamed up, travelling by EurRail passes. They had just crossed the border into Italy and were heading for Greece. We don’t know how many were in the group but it doesn’t matter — there’s no safety in numbers when all are asleep. They were gassed and robbed. How does this happen? First, you must understand the lay-out of most European trains. Unlike ours, where the entire coach is filled with rows of seats, European trains are laid out in boxes. Each box is ae glassed-in compartment with six seats. The aisle runs along one side of the train and there are probably eight to 10 compartments to a coach. It is impossible to see into one compartment from another — you must go out in the aisle to look at your fellow travellers. Crooks wait until the dead of night and walk down the aisle. When they spot a likely-looking group of sleepers they open the door a crack and spray the travel- lers with an aerosol can of anaesthetic. In a few minutes the sleepers are really asleep and are thoroughly robbed. 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USSR tour-arid ‘re COUN Tom ANY . enced team of robbers can do a round of the whole coach before the first compartment starts to come around. eee Sleeping by day can be equally hazardous. Imagine a pair of trav- ellers, alone in one compartment, sound asleep with baggage and cameras in the imusual places. They are joined by another ‘‘trav- eller’? who has no intention of waking them up. Razors are often used to slit pockets and clothing to remove wallets and concealed money pouches. Perhaps the traveller who stays asleep is the fortunate one — I don’t think I’d care to confront some guy with a razor in one hand and my wallet in the other. soe, Careers in Travel f We-can open the doortothe 3 exciting world of travel for YOU DAY AND EVENING COURSES & § conducted by industry professionals § In TRAVEL COUNSELLING SALES & MARKETING with on-site Installations TRAVEL TRAINING CENTRE ® - Ste. 2-1583 Pemberton Ave. & m North Vancouver 986-2221 $1298 (Canadian per perso RESERVEC COMPUTERS & . Now, while I’m on the subject of safety, let’s talk about handbag snatching. In some countries this has been refined into an art. The snatchers will enjoy finding handbag-toting tourists in dark alleys but busy streets are no deterrent. One of the most creative ploys includes two riders on one motor scooter. In the heavy traffic of most European cities, scooters dart everywhere — even on sidewalks when police aren’t looking. The driver aims the scooter at the back of the ‘“tmark’’. As he guns the engine and drives past, the passenger snatches the bag and the team vanishes into the traffic before the startled mark realizes what has happened. I asked an Italian police officer how best to thwart this kind of theft. He explained that you should never carry your bag over your arm or loosely over your shoulder. Either shorten the strap and carry it tightly under your arm or let it dangle until it almost touches the pavement. 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Based on double occupancy and a. minimum of 15 passengers. - FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CALL PRIME TRAVEL 1681 7AARINE DRIVE, WEST VAN _ Independent Thad. 925-1212 n)* Round trip economy class air fare from Vancowver to Sydney or Melbourne*5 nights accommodation at either: Cambridge Inn, Sydney or The Chateau Hotel, Melbourne or 5 days use of Thrifty Group 1 car with u insurance » Valid April 1- September 30, 1987. ° nlimited mileage and CDW- $1230 (Canadian per person) « Round trip economy class air fare on Continental Airlines from Vancouver to Nadi «5 nights at the Pacific Harbour Resort « Return transfers airport/ hotel/airport *5% Fiji government tax « Valid April 1- September 30, 1987. 1D 51290. 1290 (Canadian per person) « Round trip economy class air fare on Continental Airlines from Vancouver to Auckland «3 nights at the deluxe Regent Hotel, Auckland» Arrival transfer in Auckland * New Zealand goods and service tax ° Valid May 1-September 30, 1987. Mar/Apr'88 to USSR. Costs based on dbl. occ. and Toronto departures. Not incl. $39 visa fee to USSR and Cdn. transp. tax. For more information contact your travel agent or [rere Sag a 7 | 80 Richmond Street West, Suite 1202, & HINNAIR Incourist . ~ . : ue Ask about our other hotel choices and longer stay options. For further information and reservations call 1-800-225-4834. or your travel agent. € CONTINENTAL Sydneye Melbourne + Fiji s Auckland Honolulu Toronto, M5H 2A4, (416) 364-2738.