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Old 11-17-2004, 08:21 PM   #1
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I am looking at accomodation around Europe for my backpacking trip in May next year. Now a lot of them are 6 people to a dorm. Does this mean that I will have to have my backpack with me at all times, and not let it out of my sight? Or is there usually a secure place to put things.

If it is a matter of where you are staying do they usually have written in their write up that they have a secure place for storage, or is it just expected that they will have them?

Thanks in advance you guys and gals!

Dave.
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Old 11-18-2004, 12:52 AM   #2
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I carry a combination padlock with me and use lockers whenever they're available, but in the places i've stayed that didn't provide a locker, I never really worried for a moment. I guess I've been blessed to have good roomies in every hostel I've been to, but I've heard my share of horror stories as well. Lock your stuff up when you can, make use of the safes that most places have at the front desk for your valuables, and don't flash your stuff - or try too hard to hide everything. Oftentimes, it's the stuff that's hidden TOO well that attracts the sticky hands.
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Old 11-18-2004, 07:44 AM   #3
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Buy little combination locks to attach to all the zippers so you can leave your backpack in your dorm room when you're not there. I kept everything important with me at all times in a small fanny pack type thing that I wore under my clotehs (passprt, visa, some cash).
6 to a room isn't bad, I stayed in 12 or more.
As long as your careful you should be fine. I'd liek to think that most travellers are in the same position as you and wouldn't try and steal your things. Also if you're worried, I had a bike lock that I used to lock my bag to my bed, although I think I used it about once.
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Old 11-18-2004, 09:22 AM   #4
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Oh yeah, I use my snowboard lock to secure my backpack to solid objects when I'm feeling paranoid... which isn't that often

http://snowboards-for-sale.com/leashes/leash_lock/
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Old 11-18-2004, 11:36 AM   #5
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6 person dorm isn't even that bad some places its like 12-15

Some hostels provide lockers or cabinets to lock your stuff in, some will provide nothing.

In the case where there is nothing to put your bag in lock it up to your bed frame. This way it'll be easier to chase someone dragging your bed down the street.

Just remember, if someone wants to get something from your bag, chances are they'll get it. You can't be on alert all the time.

Like Omi said

Quote:
don't flash your stuff
Don't talk about your bling bling, don't talk about your money. As far as everyone knows you should be a budget travaler.

It also goes for what you're wearing. If you show up with a $500 bag, $200 shoes and all the rest you'll stand out a bit...
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Old 11-18-2004, 02:48 PM   #6
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I have stayed in dorms with 6-8-12 and 30 and never had anything taken from me. Like omisan said, dont flash ur stuff around..always keep your paper/passport, money, and camera with you.
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Old 11-18-2004, 02:49 PM   #7
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K, so sounds like if I bring a few combination locks and make sure all my zippers are locked up, along with some kind of bike chaing to chain my pack to my bed, everything should be fine.

Thanks for the hints guys!
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Old 11-29-2004, 01:41 PM   #8
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Only 2 hostels that I stayed at last trip had full-sized lockers you could fit you pack in. Invest in a PacSafe mesh for you pack (or something similar). It's a metal mesh that wraps around you pack and has a cable to lock to your bed. This is defenately not overkill. In Czech Republic a guy in the bed next to me had his entire pack stolen while we slept in the middle of the night. His pack was lying right beside his bed. In another hostel, someone had their day pack (usually much more valuble) stolen from their room. Theft in hostels are a daily occurance in some countries.

The mesh takes a couple tries to get the hang of, so buy one before hand and practice a bit. It also makes it more difficult to get at things in the middle of the night, but I'd rather that than having all my stuff stolen.
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Old 11-29-2004, 02:38 PM   #9
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Quote:
This is defenately not overkill.
:greenguy: :greenguy:
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Old 11-30-2004, 02:29 PM   #10
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Yeah i have been looking at those mesh covers for backpacks, but thought they would be too annoying to use!!

might give it a try though, although they reasonably expesive, hmmm....
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Old 11-30-2004, 07:38 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally posted by skorch@Nov 29 2004, 02:41 PM
Invest in a PacSafe mesh for you pack (or something similar).* It's a metal mesh that wraps around you pack and has a cable to lock to your bed.
check out the PacSafe here, and also gives you a list of places in different countries to buy their stuff from.

I recon. they sound like a must myself just in case, you can never be careful now I had a family friend a few years ago in Spain (not sure if it was a hotel or hostel though), chained his bag to the heater & had zipper locks, so the thiefs just cut open his backpack instead, stealing all this stuff! What a biatch that must have been!
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Old 03-09-2005, 12:09 PM   #12
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what about in the shower.... where do you but your valubles (visa, passport, etc) then?

ed
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Old 05-09-2005, 11:07 PM   #13
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After doing a little searching, I found the PacSafe net online for only 19.95 here. Not a lot for what it could save you!!
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Old 05-10-2005, 06:30 AM   #14
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Unnecessary... really.
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Old 05-10-2005, 06:50 AM   #15
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maybe if i was on a crazy 3 year long venture, but yeah, for a month or two...i will have to pass.
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