Travel Insurance Claims - True Stories

Intestinal Worms!

the-story-teller — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:45:00 GMT

Intestinal worms are parasites that love the gastrointestinal tract. God only knows how I got them, maybe from unwashed food or dirty water, but I didn’t really care, I just wanted to get rid of them! I ended up in hospital in Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand.

How World Nomads helped

Hospital care, medical consultation, pathology tests and prescription medication. (Medical expenses totalled $218.54, but policy had a $100 excess.)

PAID AUD $118.54

Ear drum rupture!

the-story-teller — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:12:00 GMT

What started out as a garden-variety ear infection turned into an emergency dash to Casualty. Intense pain & excessive bleeding from my ear led me to seek urgent medical treatment from a nearby hospital. The doctor told me I had a ruptured ear drum due to inflammation of the ear, which had been caused by my untreated ear infection. My advice: if you have a sore ear, get it checked out as soon as possible and avoid what I went through.

Victoria, Canada

How World Nomads helped

Emergency treatment in hospital followed by a check-up with a specialist and prescription medication. Also needed to cancel a scheduled flight. (Medical costs and cancellation fee totalled $981.62, but policy had a $100 excess.)

PAID AUD $881.62

Yacht accident

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 02:19:00 GMT

I was in a small dinghy travelling back to our yacht — which was anchored in a bay in Bora Bora, French Polynesia — when my luck headed south. I had been taking photos of my friends surfing so I was carrying my digital camera inside its waterproof case. Our engine cut out and the wind pushed us onto some rocks by the shore. The dinghy was flipped by a wave and landed on the rocks. I accidentally dropped my camera and case and they hit a rock. The impact caused the case to leak (there must be a small crack, although I am unable to locate it) and seawater seeped inside. The camera no longer works and the case is no longer watertight. I have receipts of the original purchases, however, they are at home in the UK, so, as advised, I posted my instruction booklets to World Nomads to provide proof of ownership.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for camera and waterproof case. (Costs totalled $532.78, but policy had a $100 excess.)

PAID AUD $632.78

Whiplash

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 02:16:00 GMT

I was really looking forward to scuba diving in Bali. Not long after I arrived, I signed up for a dive with a local company, who promised to take me out to a dive location in a new speed boat. They had just renovated the boat but had not yet installed any scuba tank racks or non-slip material on the floor. The tanks were left lying on the floor of the boat, unsecured.

Onboard, I was instructed to put on my equipment; I did so while sitting on a narrow ledge at the back of the boat, with my feet resting on some loose tanks: there was nowhere else to sit. Just as I finished putting on my dive gear, the boat moved and the tanks beneath my feet began to roll. I slipped, falling from the ledge of the boat onto the floor — however, my scuba jacket and tank stayed on the ledge, wrenching my shoulders upwards and jerking my neck before I hit my head against my own tank.

Immediately after the accident, I experienced only moderate pain when moving my neck, but I seemed to have lost significant mobility. I guess I hoped it would heal itself. A month later, I was in Singapore and still in pain, so I visited a doctor. She sent me for an X-ray to confirm there were no broken bones — there weren't — before prescribing pain medication and then referring me to a physiotherapist. The physio discovered I had damaged the discs in my neck and told me the injury was consistent with whiplash. I am about 80-90 per cent better now and hope to enjoy full recovery soon.

"Women's problems"

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 02:14:00 GMT

"Women's problems" are rarely talked about, but they are wide in scope and often happen at inconvenient times — like when you are travelling. In my case, I was diagnosed with a "Bartholin cyst", which is, apparently, a lump filled with fluid located at the vaginal opening. After enduring three days of increasing discomfort and pain "down there", I had to seek medical advice. The GP promptly sent me to a nearby hospital to be examined by a gynaecologist, who diagnosed the cyst. I was prescribed some medication and instructed on how to care for the problem. He also advised that surgery might be needed if the problem didn't clear. Luckily, it did.

How World Nomads helped

Specialist medical care, including two follow up examinations and prescription medication.

PAID AUD $977.25

Never trust French men who flatter you!

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 02:10:00 GMT

Never trust French men who try to flatter you. My friend and I were sitting in a café grabbing a bite to eat. My friend left the table to go to the bathroom and a man came up to me and stroked my face, saying something to the effect of: "Beautiful girl, let me see your eyes." I turned my face away from him and told him to go away — and he did, but not before grabbing my bag, which had been sitting beside me. Inside was my mobile, camera, a bikini and make-up — but there was still more drama to come.

When my friend came back to the table, we left the café in the hope of seeing in which direction the thief had gone. Outside, two other men approached us, claiming they had witnessed my bag being stolen and they offered to call the police. I was grateful for their help until one of them grabbed my brand new Dolce & Gabbana glasses off my face. I snatched them back and told him not to touch my glasses, or me. He said, "Sorry, sorry miss; I just wanted to see your eyes." Can you believe it?

I put my glasses in the pocket of my jeans while one of the men phoned the police. After the call, the men said goodbye and left us. I went to put my glasses back on but they were gone — obviously stolen from my pocket. We suspect all three men had been working together.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for stolen items.

PAID AUD $1221.00

Rabies

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 02:05:00 GMT

Standing on the street in Mysore, India, I was surprised to find a dog licking an open wound on my leg. Soon after, I heard that the same dog was roaming the streets, crazed and rabid, and had bitten several people. The dog was found dead later in the day — from rabies. I immediately went to the local hospital where a doctor advised I needed an immediate shot of rabies immunoglobin followed by a further series of five rabies vaccinations. Watch out for stray dogs in India!

How World Nomads helped

Consultations and vaccinations. (Medical costs totalled US$349.41 but policy included A$100 excess.)

PAID USD $273.61

Parasite

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:58:00 GMT

I began experiencing stomach cramps and a constant headache for a number of days whilst in Zanzibar, which is not far from the Tanzanian coast. As soon as I returned to the mainland, I headed straight for the hospital in Dar es Salaam. The doctor who examined me ordered a blood test to rule out malaria (the results were negative) and prescribed some medication to ease the stomach cramps. I slowly improved over two weeks before the cramps returned. I had continued travelling, so visited another doctor in Cape Town, who referred me for a full blood count. The results indicated a parasite was responsible for my stomach grief. A three-day prescribed course of antibiotics led to a full recovery.

How World Nomads helped

Medical treatment including medical consultations and prescription medication and antibiotics.

PAID AUD $139.00

He pulled out a knife...

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:54:00 GMT

It was early in the morning and my wife and I were walking around the centre of Nazca. Two men who looked to be in their early twenties approached us; they were trying to tell us something but we couldn't understand them. Suddenly one of the men snatched at my backpack, which I was carrying on my left shoulder. I held on to my bag while he kept pulling: it was a tug-o-war I was determined to win. But then the other man pulled out a knife and grabbed my wife, threatening to stab her if I didn't release my bag. Of course, I let go immediately — and they ran away with my bag. Everything happened so quickly and, thinking philosophically, the outcome could have been far worse, but we were still really distressed to lose our expensive photographic equipment, including a digital camera and two lenses.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for cost of high-value photographic equipment. (Goods totalled $2430.77, but policy had a $100 excess.)

PAID AUD $2330.77

Mugged in London

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:50:00 GMT

It was a terrifying encounter: I lost all of my personal belongings, but at least I escaped unharmed. I was walking through Hyde Park in Central London one night when I was confronted by three males. One of them was carrying an army knife: he told me to shut up and not to scream. The men took by backpack with all my belongings before leaving me alone. I went to the metropolitan police station in Belgravia where I filed a report. Thankfully, I still had my passport, credit card and yellow card certificate, but among my possessions in the stolen backpack was: a tent, a sleeping mat and sleeping bag, video camcorder, an Olympus film camera, clothes, diary, clothes, guidebook, a small stove and cooking utensils.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for stolen items.

PAID GBP £648.44

Mountain bike accident

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:45:00 GMT

I was out mountain biking in the element... when a tree got in my way. On impact, the handle bars of my bike twisted, bluntly jutting into my ribs before I went flying. I was in a lot of pain but there was no external bruising. I figured that even if I had broken a rib, there was nothing much anyone could do, so I didn't seek medical attention. Two weeks later, though, I was still in just as much pain as when the accident had happened — and my internal organs felt painful, too. When I started having muscle spasms near my ribs I started to worry that something might be wrong, so I went to a nearby hospital. After initial concern that I had damaged my spleen, I was told I had multiple fractures in my ribs.

How World Nomads helped

Hospital medical care including CAT scan and chest X-ray.

PAID USD $5,236

Was that just a mozzie bite?

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:41:00 GMT

I have had hundreds of mosquito bites before, but this one was different. I had recently arrived in Fiji when I noticed quite a few mosquito bites on my legs — but one was very red and painful. Throughout the day it turned a deeper red and became swollen, causing me to hobble. That night I woke up and vomited violently. The following day the bite didn't seem as sore, however, in the evening, I bumped my leg against a table, hitting the area where the bite was, and I was in absolute agony. I took painkillers and called a doctor, who I had to wait hours to see. When I finally saw the doctor at his surgery in Nadi, he put me on an IV drip immediately. Why? To prevent blood poisoning — he suspected my bite was really from a poisonous spider and the infection was spreading down my leg!

How World Nomads helped

Emergency care including medical consultation, IV drip, crutches for ten days and a follow-up course of antibiotics.

PAID GBP £155

Here’s a tip: never pat a monkey

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:36:00 GMT

Here's a tip: never pat a monkey, even if it's on a leash: they can be vicious. I was out wandering with a friend on Haad Rin Beach, Koh Phangan Island, when we ran into a local walking his pet monkey. My friend bent over and patted the monkey and the local kindly let her hold it. Nestled in her arms, it seemed so sweet. Then I reached out to pat it and it bit me on the thumb, breaking the skin. Little beast. I was advised to have rabies vaccinations and to take antibiotics, which I did.

How World Nomads helped

A trip to a local hospital for treatment, including rabies vaccinations and antibiotics. (Medical expenses totalled $408.23, but policy had a $100 excess.)

PAID AUD $308.23

iPod stolen

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:33:00 GMT

Everyone I regale my story to tells me I should be thankful that they didn’t steal my wallet, mobile and camera as well, but I’m still mad I lost my iPod to an invisible thief. I was travelling on a bus from Hong xu Lu to Zhenning Lu and remember checking my backpack was closed, with my iPod inside. I nursed my bag on my lap for the trip. When I got off the bus, I walked home with my backpack on my back, and at no time did I notice or feel anything suspicious. It wasn’t until I reached my front door and opened my bag to get my keys that I realised my iPod had been nicked. It is creepy to think someone had their hand inside my bag while I was either holding or wearing it.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for cost of iPod, taking into consideration the A$250.00 policy limit and $100 excess.

PAID AUD $150.00

My passport was stolen

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:01:00 GMT

There is nothing quite like being robbed to sour the end of an otherwise inspiring trip abroad. It was a week before I was due to fly home from Canada and I was out with friends at a nightclub. It was freezing outside, so I had worn my Burton snowboard jacket. I checked my jacket — containing my passport, which I needed to use as ID to gain entry into the club — into the cloakroom. They gave me an identification ticket for my jacket, which I put in the pocket of my jeans and then headed into the club. At the end of the night, I put my hand in my pocket to retrieve my ticket but it was missing. I went to the cloakroom and was horrified to discover someone had used my ticket to steal my jacket and passport. The bouncers helped me search around the club in case it had been dumped — it contained no money — but no luck. I reported the theft to police to investigate.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for jacket (item capped at $250 under policy), new passport and passport photos. (Costs totalled $390.85 but policy had a $100 excess).

PAID AUD $290.85

Gastro

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 00:31:00 GMT

While travelling in India I had to make an unexpected detour to hospital. It all started with an upset stomach, for which I was prescribed antibiotics. Three weeks later, I was in Mumbai, still feeling really unwell, so I walked into a hospital for help. The next day I was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis.

How World Nomads helped

Four nights in hospital with IV antibiotics, medical tests and prescription antibiotics.

PAID NZD $1107.00

Funeral

the-story-teller — Thu, 8 May 2008 00:26:00 GMT

We received terrible news while we were travelling in LA. My wife's parents called to let her know her brother had passed away. We needed to return home immediately, to help with funeral arrangements and simply be with our family during this distressing time.

How World Nomads helped

Flights had to be cancelled and rescheduled. (Airline penalty fees totalled $562.87, but policy had a $100 excess.)

PAID AUD $462.87

Cliche? I was kidnapped in South America

the-story-teller — Wed, 7 May 2008 06:40:00 GMT

I woke up in hospital — but was totally clueless as to how I wound up there. All I remember is enjoying a beer at a restaurant in the middle of the day, and then I draw a blank. What happened in the 24 hours in between that quiet lager and landing in hospital was a mystery, but I knew for sure I was missing $200 in cash, my credit card and camera. It turned out I had been drugged, kidnapped and robbed.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for the camera (maximum claim limit of $500) and camera case. Credit card issue was resolved with bank.

CLAIM PAID AUD $629.95

Bad karma for Thai Camera thief

the-story-teller — Wed, 7 May 2008 06:30:00 GMT

All I can hope is that bad karma will follow whoever stole my camera. Grrr. I was shopping on Khoa Sang Road late one evening when I realised my camera had been stolen from my zipped-up bag. The street was really crowded, as usual, with tourists and touts, so I can only guess that the thief must have joggled me and removed it from my bag in the process. I reported the theft at the local police station the next morning, where I had to take a number because there was another girl in front of me filing the very same complaint. The police officer told me it was a very common offence, which was cold comfort to me. The loss of the camera means nothing in comparison to the loss of the photos which I had stored on it.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for the camera, valued at $207.79 (but policy had a $100 excess).

CLAIM PAID AUD $107.79

Dog attack

the-story-teller — Wed, 7 May 2008 06:30:00 GMT

A friend and I were walking along the main road in Sapa, Vietnam, when two dogs attacked us. One bit deeply into my calf so I threw my bag at the dog and fled.

How World Nomads helped

Treatment in a Hanoi hospital for two days where they administered the human rabies immuno globulin, two more post exposure vaccines and a further series of injections at 3, 7, 14 and 28 days.

CLAIM PAID USD $995

New travelling sport - Extreme Dehli Belly

the-story-teller — Wed, 7 May 2008 05:45:00 GMT

I didnt realise you could wind-up in hospital from diarrhoea until I travelled in India. I had been suffering 'the runs' on and off over three months and had lost about 15 kilograms. I was feeling extremely weak and dehydrated, and called in to a local hospital, where I was admitted immediately. Tests revealed a bacterial infection in my intestines. I also had an open sore on my chin that looked infected. Hospital staff took a sample of cells from my sore and confirmed the bacterial infection was also present in my chin. I was in hospital for nearly a week!

How World Nomads helped

Two nights in hospital in Indonesia and further blood work. (Medical expenses totalled $525.40, but policy had a $100 excess.)

CLAIM PAID AUD $425.40

Dengue Fever

the-story-teller — Wed, 7 May 2008 05:41:00 GMT

I was in Vietnam, on my way to Indonesia, when I fell ill with a high fever. My first thought was malaria, so during a stopover in Singapore I saw a doctor, but he said I was fine. I continued on my journey to Indonesia but I still felt bloody awful, my fever had not subsided in five days and I was sure something was seriously wrong. A doctor in Bangor, Indonesia, ran some blood tests: I had dengue fever.

How World Nomads helped

Two nights in hospital in Indonesia and further blood work. (Medical expenses totalled $525.40, but policy had a $100 excess.)

CLAIM PAID AUD $425.40

Our car was broken into

the-story-teller — Wed, 7 May 2008 05:35:00 GMT

We were travelling across Europe in a Peugeot 206, having a wonderful time, before thieves caused us some serious stress. After arriving in Amsterdam we struggled to find any suitable accommodation; everywhere we tried was booked out. It was lunch time, so we decided to cut our losses, park in a secure underground parking station and head off to do some sightseeing.

After walking around the city for about four hours, we returned to the car park and found that our vehicle was not unlocking as usual. Something was up. It didn’t take us long to work out we had been robbed of nearly everything we owned, including a very large suitcase and two day packs, which contained all our clothes, personal and electronic items as well as our passports. We immediately approached the car park’s security officers, who told us they had not seen anything and were unable to view security footage because it is recorded at Head Office. We searched the car park, hoping some of our items might have been dumped, but no luck, so then had to make our way to the nearest police station to file a report. We were left with only our wallets, a video camera, guide books and the clothes on our backs.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for personal items, including costs associated with replacing passports.

CLAIM PAID AUD $3888.00

Camera stolen in Ecuador

the-story-teller — Wed, 7 May 2008 05:25:00 GMT

From now on, I am going to sleep with my bag on my lap! I was travelling on a bus from Otavalo to Quito, in northwestern South America. I was tired, but before going to sleep I carefully placed my bag under my feet with the zippers facing towards the back of the seat. I can only guess that the person in the seat behind me must have opened my bag and stolen my camera while I was sleeping. I did not notice it was missing until I arrived at my hotel in Quito.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for the cost of the camera.

CLAIM PAID AUD $500.00

Brain Irritation

the-story-teller — Wed, 7 May 2008 05:22:00 GMT

I have never been so frightened in my life. I was travelling in Sucre, in southern central Bolivia, when I suddenly lost my vision. I was rushed to the emergency department of a local hospital where I underwent a battery of tests and was placed under the care of a neurologist. I had some kind of brain irritation, which was obviously serious because the specialist would not let me leave the city until he was satisfied with my recovery.

How World Nomads helped

Specialist care and extensive tests including MRI, blood tests, X-rays, cardiograms and several medical examinations.

CLAIM PAID AUD $407.15

Fire Blast in terrorist attack

the-story-teller — Wed, 7 May 2008 05:20:00 GMT

I was lucky to survive a fire blast in Egypt, where I was admitted to hospital in a town close to Dahab, with neck, face and leg injuries. I was diagnosed with a fracture dislocation in the right shoulder and arm, lacerations all over my body and a broken finger. They also carried out exploratory surgery on my abdomen, before transferring me to Cairo for further examination and treatment.

How World Nomads helped

Air ambulance transfer to International Hospital in Cairo for specialist care and surgery. Flights and accommodation for immediate family to fly to Cairo to be with her.

CLAIM PAID AUD $89,833

appendicitis

the-story-teller — Wed, 7 May 2008 05:16:00 GMT

I was having an awesome time skiing at Whistler until one morning I woke up feeling unwell, with terrible pain on the right side of my abdomen. After a quick trip to the local medical centre, I was sent for blood work to confirm a diagnosis of appendicitis, then onto hospital to see a surgeon. I said goodbye to my appendix that evening.

How World Nomads helped

Emergency treatment, including medical consultation, blood work, anaesthetic and surgery.

CLAIM PAID AUD $1565.30

One Aneurysm and $73,000 later... !

the-story-teller — Wed, 7 May 2008 05:14:00 GMT

Expect the unexpected — and make sure you take out travel insurance! I have always been a healthy young woman and did not plan on ending up in hospital with a life-threatening condition while travelling in Switzerland. Without any prior symptoms or warning signs that something was wrong, I was admitted to hospital in Zurich with sudden onset of a 'burst berry aneurysm'. From what I now understand, an aneurysm is an abnormal ballooning of an artery and, when it bursts, it can result in stroke or life-threatening hemorrhaging. A 'burst berry aneurysm' occurs in the brain (apparently, according to medical eyes, the swelling looks like a berry dangling from a vine… not that I was concerned by euphemisms at the time!). It was a terrifying experience for me and my family

How World Nomads helped

Ten days in hospital with specialist care, including surgical clipping of an artery, followed by weeks of bed rest in Zurich. The patient's parents were flown from Australia to Zurich to help her recover. Ongoing travel plans to the USA had to be cancelled.

CLAIM PAID AUD $73,794

Unconscious snowboarding accident

the-story-teller — Tue, 6 May 2008 06:00:00 GMT

I was snowboarding on Blackcomb Mountain when I lost control and crashed — hard. My left arm and head took the brunt of the impact and I was left lying on the slopes, unconscious. When I came too, I knew there was something seriously wrong with my arm. Soon after, the ski patrol arrived and helped with emergency treatment

How World Nomads helped

Emergency medical treatment. (Medical costs totalled $2248.62, but policy had a $100 excess.)

CLAIM PAID AUD $2,148.62

Skiing Accident

the-story-teller — Tue, 6 May 2008 05:54:00 GMT

I should have called it quits for the day and headed into a bar for a warming Schnapps. Instead, I decided to take the last ski run down the mountain. As I was flying down the slopes, my left ski collided with my right, blowing out my left knee and causing me to tumble down the mountain. When eventually I came to a stop, I couldn't move. Thankfully, a passing skier called the ski patrol team and they came to my rescue within minutes.

How World Nomads helped...

Emergency hospital care and treatment. (Medical costs totalled $2518.32, but policy had a $100 excess.)

CLAIM PAID AUD $2418.32

Ligament Injuries

the-story-teller — Tue, 6 May 2008 05:50:00 GMT

It’s cliché but true: accidents happen all the time but you never count on one happening to you. I was skiing in Canada when I took a fall and injured my left knee. I was taken from the slopes to a local Emergency Centre, in great pain, where they took X-rays and examined me. The doctors told me I had torn my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and, more than likely, also had some ligament damage in my other knee.

How World Nomads helped...

Emergency medical care, including X-rays and diagnostic tests, followed by knee surgery to fix ACL rupture and a large tear of lateral meniscus.

CLAIM PAID AUD $30,912

Stomach flu

the-story-teller — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 11:41:00 GMT

After a day of extreme stomach pain, I called World Nomads for advice and they suggested I see a doctor. He examined me, did a urine and then sent me to do a blood test and an Xray. I returned with the results the next day and he said that I had a stomach flu, he had seen three other paitents that day with the same server symptons.He perscribed medicine for the pain.

Vaccination reaction

the-story-teller — Fri, 1 Dec 2006 11:43:00 GMT

My boyfriend received a vaccination for MMR in Phnom Phenh, Cambodia but then had a reaction to the vaccination by the time we reached Vietnam. We went to the SOS clinic in Hanoi to have him examined and watched to make sure that his condition did not worsen.

Terrorist security crisis

the-story-teller — Sun, 5 Nov 2006 11:40:00 GMT

We were booked to be on flight BA556 from London to Rome and the flight was cancelled. Due to the massive airport congestion we were advised to leave the airport and re-book the flight from "home". We were staying with friends in Bristol and therefore had to pay to take a bus back there. We then immediately cancelled the accommodation in Rome and Venice but they e-mailed us with cancellation charges. The train which we had prepaid from Gatwick to Bristol was non-refundable as well.

Altitude Sickness

the-story-teller — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 11:40:00 GMT

I commenced on a walk up into the Himalayan mountains. After 5 hours climbing I began to feel shocking. I spent the night In Rumbak (Ladakh) and in the morning, still feeling lousy, decided not to continue the walk, but to descend. On reaching Leh, I attended the SNM Hospital where I was diagnosed with HACO, treated, released and advised to evacuate to a lower altitude. I have documentation from Leh Hospital, and the CC slip from Malaysian Airlines in Delhi.

Wild river ride

the-story-teller — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 12:39:00 GMT

I went on a ring that is dragged behind a boat in the water. One of the other people on the ring got thrown off and landed on my back. I could barely walk. I went to the doctors to get some pain killers prescribed and she asked me to go to the hospital to get some xrays as she was worried I had done serious damage.

Eye cut, Alaska

the-story-teller — Wed, 4 Oct 2006 12:38:00 GMT

I was walking through a forest on the kenai peninsula and was ducking under a brach of a tree only to waljk into the broken off stump of a lower branch. I managed to walk back tyo the car, where my sister cleaned and applied butterfly strips to the cut which was across my left eyelid. We thought we should go to hospital and get it checked out and the doctor came and cleaned it and put 9 stitches in.

Me here. Bags somewhere else.

the-story-teller — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 12:36:00 GMT

I checked my backpack into Paris CDG airport and they requested it be put into a air France clear plastic bag. The lady then issued my boarding pass and told me my luggage would go straight to Amsterdam. When I got off the plane I waited at the baggage collection point for my bag. Another backpack was going round on the belt that was not mine but was in the same type of air France plastic bag. I was to find out later that this backpack was in the plastic bag that my backpack was in at France. It had my name and all the boarding information stuck on it. So my bag has gone with everything that i own. I have a complete list of everything that comes to $2845.00.

Age old scam ...

the-story-teller — Sat, 2 Sep 2006 12:36:00 GMT

We arrived at Potosi bus station and were in the process of unloading our backpacks from the roof when an elderly gentlmen came up and shook me vigourously by the jacket. I had one backpack on and the other between my feet. This gentleman obviously had an accomplice who lifted the backpack from between my legs. He ran off through a crowded market before I could react. The other gentleman disappeared immediately. The whole operation was very professional, and other travellers had also had their bags taken. I lodged an official report at the Potosi Tourism Police Station but they advised me it was very unlikely the bag would be recovered and gave me an official police report.

Gang theft

the-story-teller — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:35:00 GMT

I was out with a friend and on my way we stopped at a cafe to get some food. My friend left to go to the bathroom and a man came up to me when I was sitting down and started touching my face and saying words to the effect of "beautiful girl, let me see your eyes, bella, bella". I turned my face to get his hands away from me and told him to go away. He grabbed my bag which was sitting beside me and ran away before I even had a chance to react.

My friend then came back and we tried to find where the man had gone but we couldn't. Then two different men came up to us and said they had seen that my bag had been stolen and that they would call the police for us. Then one of them took my brand new Dolce & Gabbana frames off my face and I grabbed them back off him and told him not to touch my glasses or me and he said "sorry sorry miss, I just wanted to see your eyes". I took my glasses and put them in my jeans pocket. The two men then called the police while we stood there and said that they were on their way.

They then walked away and I went to put my glasses on again but realised that they had just pick-pocketed me and the glasses were gone. They had all been working together and they did not really call the police even though they made the pretend call in front of my friend and me.