The train conductor, annoyed at my request for assistance, asked me whether I had checked the entirety of the train, what? – all while rolling his eyes and never once looking at me. He sighed as he proceeded to escort me to the ‘police station’ within the train station.
I made my way into the station and was greeted by two men wearing police uniforms. As I began to explain everything, I was abruptly cut off. Officer 1 told me that they were not, in fact, officers, while Officer 2 nodded and laughed.
Officer 2 then explained (while still laughing) that I would need to take a waterbus to St. Mark’s Square, make a formal report with the actual police, then take another water bus back to the train station. Once this was complete, I’d have to take the report to the customer service agents in the office next door who could help me.
THAT DID IT.
I had remained as calm as I could given the situation I was in until this moment. Devastation was immediately transformed into rage as I began to yell.
To be honest, I think I blacked out at this point because while I remember yelling, some of the particulars are foggy. The only thing I remember with absolute clarity was giving them an example and saying if I was dressed like a clown and asked to juggle, what sense would it make if I responded by saying SORRY, I’M NOT A CLOWN!
….not my best moment, I’ll admit.
22 Comments
Chocoviv
Stolen suitcases suck!
Berker
Sorry to hear that – same thing just happened to my wife while she was travelling from Rome to Florance. How much was your initial claim? thank you
emaroundtheworld
I’m sorry to hear that your wife went through a similar situation. It’s awful, even if you make it out ok in the end. I don’t remember 100%, but I think my initial claim was about $6,000. I had some camara gear and name brand items. Did she file a claim with the train company when it happened?
Michele Duncan
Your story reminds me a bit of when my son studied abroad in Spain last year for a semester in college. A few weeks after he arrived he was jumped by some guys and they stole his wallet and his brand new iPhone. He said he was screaming for help while people just walked by and did nothing, they had him in a choke hold while they emptied his pockets. In the midst he asked if he could at least keep his i.d out of his wallet, as it is hard to replace it since he wasn’t from Spain. They took what they wanted (cash) and threw the rest of his wallet back at him. I was scared for him the same as I was scared for you while reading your story. The thing that the two of you have in common is that even though it was hard and scary, you didn’t let it defeat you! You are a strong person, and I hope that I could have the same amount of courage if I ever did a solo trip to another country.
Andi
I have read this post a few times and it reminds me of all the stories I heard while working in the Embassy in Madrid for a summer – so many things got stolen from so many people and I got to hear all the ways and try to help people. Traveling alone is already stressful enough!
Sophie
This sounds like such an awful situation and made even worse by the men that were so rude to you. I’m sorry you had to go through this, but thank you for providing such useful information to the rest of us!
Rachael
What an absolutely awful situation, you handled it very well! I definitely would have lost the plot and have been unable to find it again. I have been very lucky on my travels and nothing on this scale has happened (touches lots of wood!).
Hannah
Oh how I relate! Leaving home at 19 from NZ, I was carrying a pack waaaay too big and while it wasn’t stolen, I did get stuck in the Paris metro gates (me on one side and my bag on the other), and it was at that turtle moment that I changed the way I travelled. These things can either be revelatory or ruining!
Rajesh N
Omg! How could you keep yourself calm and cool in such a difficult situation, really appreciate you, i was reading and trying to imagine the scenes
Pia
Wow, what a story! So sad but glad that you managed it well after all! Fortunately, I never made such an experience yet, hope will never do, but you gave a lot of useful tips on how to deal with it!
Nicole
I felt stress just reading the beginning of your story. I applaud your persistence and your willingness to keep pursuing it!! It’s interesting when things like this happen the lessons that are learned and against all odds, make you a better person and a better traveler. Plus, you had a great mindset and saw the bigger picture. Great article and I learned a lot!
Catherine
Thanks for sharing this. I think most first time travelers don’t realize just how careful you need to be when traveling. This can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time! I love your positive attitude and the fact that you continued on and made it a trip of a lifetime!
Tina
Oh my gosh, it sounds awful! The luggage being stolen is bad enough, but the rude officers/non-officers make it even worse.. I’m so happy you were able to turn this awful situation into something positive, though – impressive! And I’m even more happy you were able to enjoy your trip after this experience. Hope this story is helpful for other travellers too 🙂 And as a reminder to get travel insurance 😀
Hayley
This is so awful – a travelling nightmare! But so great to hear that you managed to handle it positively and that in the end got it sorted out. We had a backpack stolen in Barcelona and we didn’t have any insurance (I know). Thankfully there wasn’t anything too valuable in there though. But it’s still such an inconvenience
Katie
What a horrible situation! We never imagine that something like this could ever happen to us!! I’m sorry that happened to you, but you handled it so well. Thanks for sharing this story and all the steps that you took to get it resolved. This is super helpful.
Christine
I’m so sorry you had to go through all of this. I’m normally pretty calm and laid back, but I don’t know that I would have handled all of the rude and condescending people as well as you did. I’m glad you got a reimbursement check, but it still stinks that you had to lose your suitcase and go through such a frustrating series of events that day!
Razena
I have been on solo trips to Italy twice and thankfully have never had my suitcase stolen although I had my purse stolen by two ‘Good Samaritan pickpockets’. I’m travelling with my nieces next year and hope we have a trouble free journey.
Gabby
What a great story! I never would have expected anything like that in Italy so I’m really glad for the heads up! I’m sure Italy isn’t the only place where machismo can make a female traveller’s life difficult! Absolutely love how you turned it around into something positive ❤️
Andrea LaPlant
Wow – what a great post! I thoroughly enjoyed your writing and while it’s awful that your luggage was stolen, I am glad you were able to find a way to say “everything happens for a reason.” I would have started crying way earlier in the day so you are one tough cookie!
emaroundtheworld
Aw thanks Andrea! It wasn’t easy, I will say that! But I think you have to be open to dealing with whatever comes your way in the best way given the situation. Even through the tears, I’m sure you would have found a way to make it work 🙂
Morgan Martin
What a nightmare! I’m sure looking back now you can find this to be a good story and learning experience but at the time this had to be so frustrating. As a type A traveler this would definitely be a worst case scenario for me. Glad to hear you were able to focus on the good and enjoy the rest of your trip. It’s hard not to let something like this detour a trip at times and I definitely applaud you for that!
emaroundtheworld
I won’t lie, it was one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had as it was happening. I think tough stuff always seem less tough after time passes, but in the moment it was a million different emotions wrapped into one, which that in itself was overwhelming. Thanks for reading!