User:(WT-en) Debbiesdestiny

Rome - Termini

It took getting robbed by gypsies in the Rome Termini to grow up after 6 decades of enjouing life with childish inquisitiveness, a sense of adventure, no worry gene, lots of laughter and believing the Golden Rule existed. I see now that what I really lost was worth far more than the $700, passport, credit card and driver's license they stole with pregnant bellies and baby accomplices. My soul is in pain and if I can help prevent this from happening to another, maybe the healing process can begin.

Here's the scam

You're approached by well-meaning young people to "help" you find your seat on the train Once seated, you're surrounded by young mothers with their babies, pregnant women and others who dispute your seats are theirs to cause confusion - getting up, reaching for luggage from overhead, etc. If you're cooperative enough to actually leave the train compartment to re-check documents, you realize you've been robbed.

Try and find the police office - it's way in the back past the grocery store - didn't know there was a grocery store in the termini? Well, the police office is even less well known.

Get your passport taken care of at the US Consulate which closes between 4-4:30. Take a cab though it's walking distance...it's too hard to try and find your way when you're upset. They are very nice and can issue a temporary passport that same day ($135).

Do yourself a favor and hire a car in advance from the airport to your hotel bypassing the train station all together because the station has no police presence, no security cameras, no voice recordings warning you to watch yourself. Plus the station system is confusing and you can't trust anyone to help.

Take very good care and don't be a sucker for gypsies like i was.