[Leica] Euro photo tours: suggestions

[grduprey at mchsi.com (grduprey at mchsi.com)]

The US government says the same thing, about all former Eastern Block 
countries.  But in my experience you are just fine unless you make yourself 
a target.  We had no problems when visiting there in 2004 & 2008, both 
Poland and the Czech Republic.  Use common sense and be aware of your 
surroundings and you will be fine.  I have felt less safe when visiting 
Chicago, and it is only 300 miles from here in Iowa.

Gene

----- Original Message -----
From: "Douglas Sharp" <douglas.sharp at gmx.de>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 7:45:35 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: Re: [Leica] Euro photo tours: suggestions

Marty, the British Government appears to agree with my 
own experience and the experiences our son Florian made 
on a number of school trips to Prague.

This is from their website:


*Safety and Security - Crime*
Prague City Police advises visitors to Prague of the 
following:

    * Always exchange currency at a currency exchange
      office or bank, never with vendors on the street
      as this money is often counterfeit.
    * Avoid contact with women and men acting as street
      prostitutes as they are often pickpockets.
    * Take care using cash machines.
    * Do not buy drugs on the street: sale and
      distribution is illegal and such drugs are often
      hazardous counterfeits.
    * Be aware of consumption charges in night clubs,
      as they are often high, and be careful with
      consumption cards, which carry high financial
      penalties if they are lost before bills are paid.

Petty theft is a problem, especially in major tourist 
areas in Prague. Pickpocketing is common at the main 
railway station and on public transport, particularly 
those routes to and from Prague Castle and other major 
tourist sites and on the buses to/from the airport. Try 
to avoid the especially busy carriages on the metro and 
trams, which are favoured by pickpockets. There have 
also been cases of theft on the tram and metro 
involving gangs of up to nine or ten people surrounding 
their victims and even threatening violence. Take extra 
care when travelling on public transport and be aware 
of the people around you. There is also a risk of 
pick-pocketing on flights from the UK. It is best to 
keep your passport and valuables with you before and 
during your flight.

Make sure you know where your belongings are at all 
times, particularly while at restaurants, bars and 
nightclubs. Use the cloakroom if available. There have 
been several cases of theft from hotel rooms and even 
safes.

Beware of bogus plain-clothes policemen, who may ask to 
see your foreign currency and passport. If approached, 
decline to show your money, but offer instead to go 
with them to the nearest police station. If you suspect 
that you are dealing with a bogus police officer, you 
can call 158 or 112 to check their identity. No police 
officer in the Czech Republic has the right to check 
your money or its authenticity.

Theft of property should be reported in person to the 
Czech police within 24 hours to obtain a Police Report 
Crime Number. It is also possible to obtain this later 
once you are in the UK by sending a letter (in English) 
describing the event to the following address: 
Policejni prezidium ? podatelna, Strojnicka 27, 170 89 
Praha 7, Czech Republic. If you lose your passport you 
will need to obtain a police report before a 
replacement can be issued.

Never leave drinks or food unattended, or accept drinks 
from strangers, however attractive the offer might 
seem. There have been a small number of incidents 
involving drinks being spiked and visitors having their 
valuables stolen whilst intoxicated.





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