Stay away from Brussels!
Aug 26th 2004, 1:49 am
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
"Lennart Petersen" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >
> Sorry but that's not the reality in Europe. Bag snatching do occurs now
and
> then in big European rail stations and big airports and the warnings are
> just about that.
> Maybe in UK the bomb threat is the big issue but in many other countries
> theft is the most likely result should a bag be left unattended.
> L.P
Given the terrorist attacks in Madrid this year and those
in Paris a few years back this seems remarkably foolish.
Keith
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news:[email protected]...
> >
> Sorry but that's not the reality in Europe. Bag snatching do occurs now
and
> then in big European rail stations and big airports and the warnings are
> just about that.
> Maybe in UK the bomb threat is the big issue but in many other countries
> theft is the most likely result should a bag be left unattended.
> L.P
Given the terrorist attacks in Madrid this year and those
in Paris a few years back this seems remarkably foolish.
Keith
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Aug 26th 2004, 2:20 am
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>. ..
> Bronson Lee <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> ...
> >
> >My warning to fellow train travellers - be extremely careful in
> >Brussels-MIDI. I was told this is an unsafe destination. I should
> >have skipped Brussels completely. Now I will regret this decision to
> >stop in Brussels - for the rest of my life. There are so many creeps
> >and low lifes hanging around the station.
> >
> Sorry that you had such bad luck.
>
> But it's pure chance that it happened in Brussels rather than anywhere
> else. I formed the impression that you were off your guard: you should
> never be off your guard on unfamiliar territory.
That's a bit harsh, at least based upon the information provided.
These folks are pro's in essence and he was "bested" for the few
moments it took to take the bag. Not exactly "off ones guard".
Just got beat by a better player.
But I will echo the sentiments that this is hardly unique to Brussels.
These scams do occur more frequently in some places than others, but
they are, and have been, known everywhere. If anything, it is a function
of proximity to a population density in need of this kind of employment.
> Bronson Lee <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> ...
> >
> >My warning to fellow train travellers - be extremely careful in
> >Brussels-MIDI. I was told this is an unsafe destination. I should
> >have skipped Brussels completely. Now I will regret this decision to
> >stop in Brussels - for the rest of my life. There are so many creeps
> >and low lifes hanging around the station.
> >
> Sorry that you had such bad luck.
>
> But it's pure chance that it happened in Brussels rather than anywhere
> else. I formed the impression that you were off your guard: you should
> never be off your guard on unfamiliar territory.
That's a bit harsh, at least based upon the information provided.
These folks are pro's in essence and he was "bested" for the few
moments it took to take the bag. Not exactly "off ones guard".
Just got beat by a better player.
But I will echo the sentiments that this is hardly unique to Brussels.
These scams do occur more frequently in some places than others, but
they are, and have been, known everywhere. If anything, it is a function
of proximity to a population density in need of this kind of employment.
Aug 26th 2004, 2:32 am
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
"David Horne" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
news:1gj4p5i.1uywu3s1sjsa5fN%this_address_is_for_s [email protected]...
> Lennart Petersen <[email protected]> wrote:
> []
> > Maybe in UK the bomb threat is the big issue but in many other countries
> > theft is the most likely result should a bag be left unattended.
> So, what happens in a Stockholm train station if an unattended package
> is found?
> David
Have happened occasionally. If there are reason to believe it's
something unwanted dangerous the area is closed off and police with special
staff and equipment do the rest. If necessary a special robot is used to
open and examine the packet.
Anyway as I said theft is the most likely result if you don't care for your
luggage.
There's a taped warning used in the loudspeakers in Stockholm Central and
Arlanda airport for pickpocketing and bag snatching.
news:1gj4p5i.1uywu3s1sjsa5fN%this_address_is_for_s [email protected]...
> Lennart Petersen <[email protected]> wrote:
> []
> > Maybe in UK the bomb threat is the big issue but in many other countries
> > theft is the most likely result should a bag be left unattended.
> So, what happens in a Stockholm train station if an unattended package
> is found?
> David
Have happened occasionally. If there are reason to believe it's
something unwanted dangerous the area is closed off and police with special
staff and equipment do the rest. If necessary a special robot is used to
open and examine the packet.
Anyway as I said theft is the most likely result if you don't care for your
luggage.
There's a taped warning used in the loudspeakers in Stockholm Central and
Arlanda airport for pickpocketing and bag snatching.
Aug 26th 2004, 2:42 am
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
David Horne extrapolated from data available...
> Bronson Lee <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> []
>> My warning to fellow train travellers - be extremely careful in
>> Brussels-MIDI. I was told this is an unsafe destination.
>
> It's not really any better or worse than most urban train stations in
> Europe- and certainly not a reflection on the rest of the city.
>
I suspect that for most travelers, be they in any of Europe's big cities or
in the few US cities in which folks traveling long distances actually come
and go by train, the sort of nonchalance and minimal involvement with which
such incidents are greeted by local police, European or USAian, is as much
of a problem as the thefts themselves.
Because US (and European) airports are semi-controlled environments, remote
from the city center and with modestly controlled access/egress (and with
their own "police forces" in many cases in the US. Crime in the terminals
(if not behind the walls among baggage handlers, etc.) is often greeted by
substantial visible and agressive (appearing?) police involvement (except
in Miami where nobody seems to give a shit either way).
The "Good Old days" (rounding up the "usual supects" and a little routine
head-knocking) with which pickpockets and petty thievery in transportation
terminals were severely mistreated are gone, as police forces in Europe
and the US are less able to rely upon "pre-offense repression" with which
suspicious folk hanging out at the train station can be discouraged.
US bus stations used to be the worst. In the 60s, Naples and Marseilles
were legendarily European cities with crime-ridden train stations, but
Marseilles' renown must have had much to do with with frightening social
strains of the Algerian situation. During that decade, an observer (in my
case regularly assigned duty asa a Shore Patrol Officer) would have rated
the Spanish police as the most authoritarian, the Turks as the most
callosly brutal, and the French as visibly and apparently "for the example
of the others" especially harsh and repressive in the methods with which
they treated "small time" arestees. At the time, being arrested with no
money could be a problem in Turkey. Routinely, Turkish jails did not offer
free meals to prisoners.
This morning's local newspaper brought me word that Ms. Thatcher's ne'er-
do-well son had been relieved of his shoes, jacket and cell phone in a
Capetown holding cell (read "drunk tank and repository for assorted petty
criminals"). I'm glad Capetown has risen to a level comparable with US
major urban standards.
TMO
> Bronson Lee <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> []
>> My warning to fellow train travellers - be extremely careful in
>> Brussels-MIDI. I was told this is an unsafe destination.
>
> It's not really any better or worse than most urban train stations in
> Europe- and certainly not a reflection on the rest of the city.
>
I suspect that for most travelers, be they in any of Europe's big cities or
in the few US cities in which folks traveling long distances actually come
and go by train, the sort of nonchalance and minimal involvement with which
such incidents are greeted by local police, European or USAian, is as much
of a problem as the thefts themselves.
Because US (and European) airports are semi-controlled environments, remote
from the city center and with modestly controlled access/egress (and with
their own "police forces" in many cases in the US. Crime in the terminals
(if not behind the walls among baggage handlers, etc.) is often greeted by
substantial visible and agressive (appearing?) police involvement (except
in Miami where nobody seems to give a shit either way).
The "Good Old days" (rounding up the "usual supects" and a little routine
head-knocking) with which pickpockets and petty thievery in transportation
terminals were severely mistreated are gone, as police forces in Europe
and the US are less able to rely upon "pre-offense repression" with which
suspicious folk hanging out at the train station can be discouraged.
US bus stations used to be the worst. In the 60s, Naples and Marseilles
were legendarily European cities with crime-ridden train stations, but
Marseilles' renown must have had much to do with with frightening social
strains of the Algerian situation. During that decade, an observer (in my
case regularly assigned duty asa a Shore Patrol Officer) would have rated
the Spanish police as the most authoritarian, the Turks as the most
callosly brutal, and the French as visibly and apparently "for the example
of the others" especially harsh and repressive in the methods with which
they treated "small time" arestees. At the time, being arrested with no
money could be a problem in Turkey. Routinely, Turkish jails did not offer
free meals to prisoners.
This morning's local newspaper brought me word that Ms. Thatcher's ne'er-
do-well son had been relieved of his shoes, jacket and cell phone in a
Capetown holding cell (read "drunk tank and repository for assorted petty
criminals"). I'm glad Capetown has risen to a level comparable with US
major urban standards.
TMO
Aug 26th 2004, 2:53 am
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
Lennart Petersen <[email protected]> wrote:
> "David Horne" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
> news:1gj4p5i.1uywu3s1sjsa5fN%this_address_is_for_s [email protected]...
> > Lennart Petersen <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > []
> > > Maybe in UK the bomb threat is the big issue but in many other countries
> > > theft is the most likely result should a bag be left unattended.
> >
> > So, what happens in a Stockholm train station if an unattended package
> > is found?
> >
> > David
> Have happened occasionally. If there are reason to believe it's
> something unwanted dangerous the area is closed off and police with special
> staff and equipment do the rest. If necessary a special robot is used to
> open and examine the packet.
Which is exactly what would happen in the UK. Several bloocks may even
be cordoned off.
> Anyway as I said theft is the most likely result if you don't care for your
> luggage.
If the authorities find it first, or someone reports it, I think what
you describe above is the most likely result.
> There's a taped warning used in the loudspeakers in Stockholm Central and
> Arlanda airport for pickpocketing and bag snatching.
There are visual warnings to this effect on the London Underground as
well, but if someone reports an unattended piece of luggage, the station
could be closed while it's investigated.
David
--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.net
usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
> "David Horne" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
> news:1gj4p5i.1uywu3s1sjsa5fN%this_address_is_for_s [email protected]...
> > Lennart Petersen <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > []
> > > Maybe in UK the bomb threat is the big issue but in many other countries
> > > theft is the most likely result should a bag be left unattended.
> >
> > So, what happens in a Stockholm train station if an unattended package
> > is found?
> >
> > David
> Have happened occasionally. If there are reason to believe it's
> something unwanted dangerous the area is closed off and police with special
> staff and equipment do the rest. If necessary a special robot is used to
> open and examine the packet.
Which is exactly what would happen in the UK. Several bloocks may even
be cordoned off.
> Anyway as I said theft is the most likely result if you don't care for your
> luggage.
If the authorities find it first, or someone reports it, I think what
you describe above is the most likely result.
> There's a taped warning used in the loudspeakers in Stockholm Central and
> Arlanda airport for pickpocketing and bag snatching.
There are visual warnings to this effect on the London Underground as
well, but if someone reports an unattended piece of luggage, the station
could be closed while it's investigated.
David
--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.net
usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
Aug 26th 2004, 3:25 am
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
"David Horne" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
news:1gj4uiu.1p09vko1gbolceN%this_address_is_for_s [email protected]...
> > > > Maybe in UK the bomb threat is the big issue but in many other
countries
> > > > theft is the most likely result should a bag be left unattended.
> > There's a taped warning used in the loudspeakers in Stockholm Central
and
> > Arlanda airport for pickpocketing and bag snatching.
> There are visual warnings to this effect on the London Underground as
> well, but if someone reports an unattended piece of luggage, the station
> could be closed while it's investigated.
> David
So what ?
Joan said : "While I agree with most of what you say, at least in Europe,
the "don't
leave luggage unattended" is only about terrorism. "
Which I think was wrong.
news:1gj4uiu.1p09vko1gbolceN%this_address_is_for_s [email protected]...
> > > > Maybe in UK the bomb threat is the big issue but in many other
countries
> > > > theft is the most likely result should a bag be left unattended.
> > There's a taped warning used in the loudspeakers in Stockholm Central
and
> > Arlanda airport for pickpocketing and bag snatching.
> There are visual warnings to this effect on the London Underground as
> well, but if someone reports an unattended piece of luggage, the station
> could be closed while it's investigated.
> David
So what ?
Joan said : "While I agree with most of what you say, at least in Europe,
the "don't
leave luggage unattended" is only about terrorism. "
Which I think was wrong.
Aug 26th 2004, 3:34 am
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
Lennart Petersen <[email protected]> wrote:
> "David Horne" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
> news:1gj4uiu.1p09vko1gbolceN%this_address_is_for_s [email protected]...
> > > > > Maybe in UK the bomb threat is the big issue but in many other
> countries
> > > > > theft is the most likely result should a bag be left unattended.
> >
> > > There's a taped warning used in the loudspeakers in Stockholm Central
> and
> > > Arlanda airport for pickpocketing and bag snatching.
> >
> > There are visual warnings to this effect on the London Underground as
> > well, but if someone reports an unattended piece of luggage, the station
> > could be closed while it's investigated.
> > David
> So what ?
> Joan said : "While I agree with most of what you say, at least in Europe,
> the "don't
> leave luggage unattended" is only about terrorism. "
> Which I think was wrong.
Oh, do get over yourself.
You wrote-
"Sorry but that's not the reality in Europe. Bag snatching do occurs
now and then in big European rail stations and big airports and the
warnings are just about that. Maybe in UK the bomb threat is the big
issue but in many other countries theft is the most likely result should
a bag be left unattended."
She said it was only about terrorism, and you said it was "just about"
theft. Even by your second posting then, you're both wrong- but she used
the phrase "don't leave baggage unattended" and that is certainly more
to do with terrorism than theft. Tannoy announcements, as you describe,
about watching out for pickpockets, are a different thing entirely.
That's why I brought up the LU example. They warn you about pickpockets,
and they also warn you not to leave luggage unattended. The two warnings
are for very different reasons.
David
--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.net
usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
> "David Horne" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
> news:1gj4uiu.1p09vko1gbolceN%this_address_is_for_s [email protected]...
> > > > > Maybe in UK the bomb threat is the big issue but in many other
> countries
> > > > > theft is the most likely result should a bag be left unattended.
> >
> > > There's a taped warning used in the loudspeakers in Stockholm Central
> and
> > > Arlanda airport for pickpocketing and bag snatching.
> >
> > There are visual warnings to this effect on the London Underground as
> > well, but if someone reports an unattended piece of luggage, the station
> > could be closed while it's investigated.
> > David
> So what ?
> Joan said : "While I agree with most of what you say, at least in Europe,
> the "don't
> leave luggage unattended" is only about terrorism. "
> Which I think was wrong.
Oh, do get over yourself.
You wrote-
"Sorry but that's not the reality in Europe. Bag snatching do occurs
now and then in big European rail stations and big airports and the
warnings are just about that. Maybe in UK the bomb threat is the big
issue but in many other countries theft is the most likely result should
a bag be left unattended."
She said it was only about terrorism, and you said it was "just about"
theft. Even by your second posting then, you're both wrong- but she used
the phrase "don't leave baggage unattended" and that is certainly more
to do with terrorism than theft. Tannoy announcements, as you describe,
about watching out for pickpockets, are a different thing entirely.
That's why I brought up the LU example. They warn you about pickpockets,
and they also warn you not to leave luggage unattended. The two warnings
are for very different reasons.
David
--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.net
usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
Aug 26th 2004, 3:42 am
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 09:47:51 GMT, "Gregory Morrow"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque) wrote:
>> Hatunen wrote:
>> > Are you under the impression that all other train stations in
>> > Europe are free of thieves?
>> Or that train stations, airport terminals, etc. are any "safer" in the
>> U.S.? There's a REASON why there are repeated announcements over public
>> address systems to "please watch your baggage while in the terminal"!
>> (And it has little to do with fear of "terrorists" planting bombs.)
>Most US train stations and other tourist/traveller haunts don't have gangs
>of organized thieves working the premises like a number of places in Europe
>seem to...you may find individuals working the joint, but rarely gangs that
>prey on disoriented tourists. You won't be suddenly swarmed by a bunch of
>criminal gypsies like you will in Prague, St. Petersburg, and other
>places....
Well, hell, there ain't hardly no US train stations, and most of
them have so few trains they never do have a croud.
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
<[email protected]> wrote:
>EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque) wrote:
>> Hatunen wrote:
>> > Are you under the impression that all other train stations in
>> > Europe are free of thieves?
>> Or that train stations, airport terminals, etc. are any "safer" in the
>> U.S.? There's a REASON why there are repeated announcements over public
>> address systems to "please watch your baggage while in the terminal"!
>> (And it has little to do with fear of "terrorists" planting bombs.)
>Most US train stations and other tourist/traveller haunts don't have gangs
>of organized thieves working the premises like a number of places in Europe
>seem to...you may find individuals working the joint, but rarely gangs that
>prey on disoriented tourists. You won't be suddenly swarmed by a bunch of
>criminal gypsies like you will in Prague, St. Petersburg, and other
>places....
Well, hell, there ain't hardly no US train stations, and most of
them have so few trains they never do have a croud.
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
Aug 26th 2004, 4:45 am
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
Iceman <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Many trains stop at all three of Brussels' main train stations, and
> for anyone potentially arriving in Brussels-Midi late at night, I'd
> recommend getting out at Brussels-Nord or Brussels-Centraal instead
> and taking a taxi to where you need to go.
I agree with everything you said (which I snipped) although I wouldn't
recommend anyone gets off at Brussels Nord (particularly not at night. It
is no better than Midi. If fact, I would suggest Midi over Nord only
because you are likely to have more people around & more staff.
Brussel Nord is the red light district.
news:[email protected]:
> Many trains stop at all three of Brussels' main train stations, and
> for anyone potentially arriving in Brussels-Midi late at night, I'd
> recommend getting out at Brussels-Nord or Brussels-Centraal instead
> and taking a taxi to where you need to go.
I agree with everything you said (which I snipped) although I wouldn't
recommend anyone gets off at Brussels Nord (particularly not at night. It
is no better than Midi. If fact, I would suggest Midi over Nord only
because you are likely to have more people around & more staff.
Brussel Nord is the red light district.
Aug 26th 2004, 4:57 am
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
Hatunen <[email protected]> wrote:
[]
> Well, hell, there ain't hardly no US train stations, and most of
> them have so few trains they never do have a croud.
The big ones _are_ very busy- some of the busiest in the world in fact.
They could be pretty creepy, but they seem to me anyway to have cleaned
up a lot in the last decade or so.
Penn Station in NYC used to be a bit scary in the late 80s and much of
the 90s. With the Guiliani-led clean up, and now with all the police and
military presense, it's hard to equate it with what it was once like.
Grand Central Station OTOH, being the world's largest in terms of track
area, is naturally always very crowded, but it's such a stunning
building (a real palace to commuter travel!) that the crowds seem very
spaced out. A great place to sit at one of the bars on the balconies,
sipping a martini!
David
--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.net
usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
[]
> Well, hell, there ain't hardly no US train stations, and most of
> them have so few trains they never do have a croud.
The big ones _are_ very busy- some of the busiest in the world in fact.
They could be pretty creepy, but they seem to me anyway to have cleaned
up a lot in the last decade or so.
Penn Station in NYC used to be a bit scary in the late 80s and much of
the 90s. With the Guiliani-led clean up, and now with all the police and
military presense, it's hard to equate it with what it was once like.
Grand Central Station OTOH, being the world's largest in terms of track
area, is naturally always very crowded, but it's such a stunning
building (a real palace to commuter travel!) that the crowds seem very
spaced out. A great place to sit at one of the bars on the balconies,
sipping a martini!
David
--
David Horne- www.davidhorne.net
usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk
Aug 26th 2004, 5:02 am
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
1. You weren't robbed, which is theft by force or fear of force. You
simply had your bag stolen, which is unfortunate.
2. ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, not just Brussels, and not just Europe, you must
keep an eagle eye on your luggage at all times. I always stay in physical
contact with my luggage when I'm waiting for trains. I'm also very, very
careful when strangers try to strike up a conversation with me, particularly
if I'm in a place that is frequented by tourists and is likely to be a thief
magnet. I've had similar attempts made on my luggage in Hong Kong and
Budapest. They were easily rebuffed by simply being aware of who was around
me and what was going on.
3. Brussels is a charming city, and a short hop from Brugges, a stunningly
beautiful, perfectly preserved medieval town. I found the people in
Brussels to be friendly and helpful, there were interesting sights to see,
and some fairly spectacular restaurants. I also found it perfectly safe.
I would NOT recommend that people avoid Brussels based on your anecdote.
3.
"Bronson Lee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello world,
> Just came back from a long exhausting but exhilarating train tour of
> Europe. Had the misfortune to stop at Brussels on my last stop. I got
> robbed by some despicable thieves near the Brussels-MIDI train
> station. I was resting, looking after the luggage and leaving a bag on
> my left and sitting on a cement ledge. The others had gone
> sightseeing. An Arabic-looking guy came to me on my extreme right,
> asking some thing in French. I said I did not speak French. But he
> kept going on and on. Then I noticed his eyes nodded something and he
> left. I looked to my left and my bag was gone. I noticed an Arabic
> couple pushing a baby pram fast down the lane. I gave chase but
> remembered I had 4 other bags I had left unattended. So I gave up the
> chase and came back to guard the other bags.
> There wasnt much in the bag but I did lose a digital camera with
> valuable memories and prescription drugs. I cannot believe I got
> robbed within 20 minutes of getting down at Brusesels-MIDI. We had
> walked on to the north side of the station.
> My warning to fellow train travellers - be extremely careful in
> Brussels-MIDI. I was told this is an unsafe destination. I should
> have skipped Brussels completely. Now I will regret this decision to
> stop in Brussels - for the rest of my life. There are so many creeps
> and low lifes hanging around the station.
simply had your bag stolen, which is unfortunate.
2. ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, not just Brussels, and not just Europe, you must
keep an eagle eye on your luggage at all times. I always stay in physical
contact with my luggage when I'm waiting for trains. I'm also very, very
careful when strangers try to strike up a conversation with me, particularly
if I'm in a place that is frequented by tourists and is likely to be a thief
magnet. I've had similar attempts made on my luggage in Hong Kong and
Budapest. They were easily rebuffed by simply being aware of who was around
me and what was going on.
3. Brussels is a charming city, and a short hop from Brugges, a stunningly
beautiful, perfectly preserved medieval town. I found the people in
Brussels to be friendly and helpful, there were interesting sights to see,
and some fairly spectacular restaurants. I also found it perfectly safe.
I would NOT recommend that people avoid Brussels based on your anecdote.
3.
"Bronson Lee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello world,
> Just came back from a long exhausting but exhilarating train tour of
> Europe. Had the misfortune to stop at Brussels on my last stop. I got
> robbed by some despicable thieves near the Brussels-MIDI train
> station. I was resting, looking after the luggage and leaving a bag on
> my left and sitting on a cement ledge. The others had gone
> sightseeing. An Arabic-looking guy came to me on my extreme right,
> asking some thing in French. I said I did not speak French. But he
> kept going on and on. Then I noticed his eyes nodded something and he
> left. I looked to my left and my bag was gone. I noticed an Arabic
> couple pushing a baby pram fast down the lane. I gave chase but
> remembered I had 4 other bags I had left unattended. So I gave up the
> chase and came back to guard the other bags.
> There wasnt much in the bag but I did lose a digital camera with
> valuable memories and prescription drugs. I cannot believe I got
> robbed within 20 minutes of getting down at Brusesels-MIDI. We had
> walked on to the north side of the station.
> My warning to fellow train travellers - be extremely careful in
> Brussels-MIDI. I was told this is an unsafe destination. I should
> have skipped Brussels completely. Now I will regret this decision to
> stop in Brussels - for the rest of my life. There are so many creeps
> and low lifes hanging around the station.
Aug 26th 2004, 5:04 am
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hatunen wrote:
> > Are you under the impression that all other train stations in
> > Europe are free of thieves?
> Or that train stations, airport terminals, etc. are any "safer" in the
> U.S.? There's a REASON why there are repeated announcements over public
> address systems to "please watch your baggage while in the terminal"!
> (And it has little to do with fear of "terrorists" planting bombs.)
Though I agree with your central premise, the announcements you mentioned
really are about terrorists. I've watched, more times than I can count,
police cordon off an area where an abandoned bag has been found, while they
wait for the bomb squad to take it away somewhere that it can be safely
destryoed.
news:[email protected]...
> Hatunen wrote:
> > Are you under the impression that all other train stations in
> > Europe are free of thieves?
> Or that train stations, airport terminals, etc. are any "safer" in the
> U.S.? There's a REASON why there are repeated announcements over public
> address systems to "please watch your baggage while in the terminal"!
> (And it has little to do with fear of "terrorists" planting bombs.)
Though I agree with your central premise, the announcements you mentioned
really are about terrorists. I've watched, more times than I can count,
police cordon off an area where an abandoned bag has been found, while they
wait for the bomb squad to take it away somewhere that it can be safely
destryoed.
Aug 26th 2004, 5:07 am
#28
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 10:04:23 -0700, "PTravel" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Hatunen wrote:
>> > Are you under the impression that all other train stations in
>> > Europe are free of thieves?
>> Or that train stations, airport terminals, etc. are any "safer" in the
>> U.S.? There's a REASON why there are repeated announcements over public
>> address systems to "please watch your baggage while in the terminal"!
>> (And it has little to do with fear of "terrorists" planting bombs.)
>Though I agree with your central premise, the announcements you mentioned
>really are about terrorists. I've watched, more times than I can count,
>police cordon off an area where an abandoned bag has been found, while they
>wait for the bomb squad to take it away somewhere that it can be safely
>destryoed.
I was in Toulouse airport when an announcement was made to clear the
building because a bomb had been found. Nobody took any notice. The
guy on the ticket desk said "take no notice they've put the wrong tape
in again"
wrote:
>"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Hatunen wrote:
>> > Are you under the impression that all other train stations in
>> > Europe are free of thieves?
>> Or that train stations, airport terminals, etc. are any "safer" in the
>> U.S.? There's a REASON why there are repeated announcements over public
>> address systems to "please watch your baggage while in the terminal"!
>> (And it has little to do with fear of "terrorists" planting bombs.)
>Though I agree with your central premise, the announcements you mentioned
>really are about terrorists. I've watched, more times than I can count,
>police cordon off an area where an abandoned bag has been found, while they
>wait for the bomb squad to take it away somewhere that it can be safely
>destryoed.
I was in Toulouse airport when an announcement was made to clear the
building because a bomb had been found. Nobody took any notice. The
guy on the ticket desk said "take no notice they've put the wrong tape
in again"
Aug 26th 2004, 5:44 am
#29
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
"Gregory Morrow" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<bliXc.4217$Y%[email protected] link.net>...
> EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque) wrote:
>
> > Hatunen wrote:
> >
> > > Are you under the impression that all other train stations in
> > > Europe are free of thieves?
> >
> > Or that train stations, airport terminals, etc. are any "safer" in the
> > U.S.? There's a REASON why there are repeated announcements over public
> > address systems to "please watch your baggage while in the terminal"!
> > (And it has little to do with fear of "terrorists" planting bombs.)
>
> Most US train stations and other tourist/traveller haunts don't have gangs
> of organized thieves working the premises like a number of places in Europe
> seem to...you may find individuals working the joint, but rarely gangs that
> prey on disoriented tourists. You won't be suddenly swarmed by a bunch of
> criminal gypsies like you will in Prague, St. Petersburg, and other
> places....
(several lines deleted)
> They are usually dirty criminal Gypsies, Arabs, Africans, etc.
> Another result of Europe's "humane" immigration policies :-|
Gypsies are part of European population for centuries!
Definitely nothing to do with what you call "humane" immigration
policies close to all European countries apply for now several
decades
> EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque) wrote:
>
> > Hatunen wrote:
> >
> > > Are you under the impression that all other train stations in
> > > Europe are free of thieves?
> >
> > Or that train stations, airport terminals, etc. are any "safer" in the
> > U.S.? There's a REASON why there are repeated announcements over public
> > address systems to "please watch your baggage while in the terminal"!
> > (And it has little to do with fear of "terrorists" planting bombs.)
>
> Most US train stations and other tourist/traveller haunts don't have gangs
> of organized thieves working the premises like a number of places in Europe
> seem to...you may find individuals working the joint, but rarely gangs that
> prey on disoriented tourists. You won't be suddenly swarmed by a bunch of
> criminal gypsies like you will in Prague, St. Petersburg, and other
> places....
(several lines deleted)
> They are usually dirty criminal Gypsies, Arabs, Africans, etc.
> Another result of Europe's "humane" immigration policies :-|
Gypsies are part of European population for centuries!
Definitely nothing to do with what you call "humane" immigration
policies close to all European countries apply for now several
decades
Aug 26th 2004, 6:15 am
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Stay away from Brussels!
[email protected] (me) wrote:
>Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>. ..
>> Bronson Lee <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> ...
>> >
>> >My warning to fellow train travellers - be extremely careful in
>> >Brussels-MIDI. I was told this is an unsafe destination. I should
>> >have skipped Brussels completely. Now I will regret this decision to
>> >stop in Brussels - for the rest of my life. There are so many creeps
>> >and low lifes hanging around the station.
>> >
>> Sorry that you had such bad luck.
>>
>> But it's pure chance that it happened in Brussels rather than anywhere
>> else. I formed the impression that you were off your guard: you should
>> never be off your guard on unfamiliar territory.
> That's a bit harsh, at least based upon the information provided.
>These folks are pro's in essence and he was "bested" for the few
>moments it took to take the bag. Not exactly "off ones guard".
>Just got beat by a better player.
I don't think it's harsh. When a stranger attempts to engage your
attention, you should immediately become even more vigilant.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
>Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>. ..
>> Bronson Lee <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> ...
>> >
>> >My warning to fellow train travellers - be extremely careful in
>> >Brussels-MIDI. I was told this is an unsafe destination. I should
>> >have skipped Brussels completely. Now I will regret this decision to
>> >stop in Brussels - for the rest of my life. There are so many creeps
>> >and low lifes hanging around the station.
>> >
>> Sorry that you had such bad luck.
>>
>> But it's pure chance that it happened in Brussels rather than anywhere
>> else. I formed the impression that you were off your guard: you should
>> never be off your guard on unfamiliar territory.
> That's a bit harsh, at least based upon the information provided.
>These folks are pro's in essence and he was "bested" for the few
>moments it took to take the bag. Not exactly "off ones guard".
>Just got beat by a better player.
I don't think it's harsh. When a stranger attempts to engage your
attention, you should immediately become even more vigilant.
--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
