Monthly Archives: October 2008

Luggage for constant travelers

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Our typical haul: four aluminum Halliburtons to check, a roll-on each, a shoulder bag each.

Our typical haul: four aluminum Halliburtons to check, a roll-on each, a shoulder bag each.

For very frequent travelers, the right luggage is vital. Bob and I have used aluminum Zero Halliburton luggage forever. It’s heavy and expensive. It gets dented and full of stickers. Every few trips, a bag loses a handle or a wheel, and we keep on repairing them. We can’t even take advantage of their good locks anymore. Instead, we wrap strong tape around the seams to thwart thieves.

In iffy hotels we use one of these as a safe for small valuables, sometimes even laptops. The theory is that a camera, passport, maybe even a laptop can “get legs.” A large, heavy suitcase is less likely to go missing.

Bob uses a black aluminum Halliburton roll-aboard. It’s strong, padded, and lockable, so he’s not worried when his carry-on must be put in a plane’s cargo hold, no matter what’s in the bag. You can see it on the top of the left stack in the photo. This clamshell-type roll-on does not suit me at all. I like lots of zipper compartments, so I can easily grab my computer power cord, a book, or a document from a file folder. I also like a roll-on big enough to neatly carry an outfit or two. These are usually called one-suiters. I always have one suit and one stage dress in the roll-on. I’ve been without my checked luggage one time too many.

Carry-on system by Mandarina Duck.

Carry-on system by Mandarina Duck.

My roll-on has a matching shoulder bag which stacks easily and securely. And of course it has a shoulder strap for the millions of stairs that require hauling instead of rolling. The shoulder strap attaches with a ridged plastic tab. This was my biggest concern when I bought this combo three-plus years ago. What if it comes loose? My laptop is in the shoulder bag, my iPod, passport, a little camera, and all my most important things. Many a time I have boarded rickety boats with this bag on my shoulder. But I’ve come to trust it.

The plastic tab broke on the way to Oman recently. The day I got home I photographed the strap and sent it to the company. In a week, I had a new strap, overnighted from Italy, no charge. So I think I should mention that my carry-on luggage is made by the Italian company, Mandarina Duck.

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Paper masala dosa

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Paper masala dosa: crisp and light as air, except for it\'s full middle.

Paper masala dosa: crisp and light as air, except for it's full middle.

Why did we order two?

Paper dosa is one of my favorite meals. I order them at every opportunity when I’m in India, Singapore, or Dubai. It was a restaurant in Phoenix, though, where I was served the biggest one I’d ever seen.

Dosas are hard to find in the U.S., but I discovered Udupi in Phoenix, where they serve 17 kinds. 16 kinds I don’t care about. It’s paper masala dosa, every time. I dream of its shiny mahogany surface complete with streaky tracks from the dosa-maker’s spatula, the intoxicating fragrance of ghee, and the traditional accompaniments. I like the drama of its arrival, even when it isn’t this gargantuan; even when I fetch it from the grill myself. And I like the eat-it-while-it’s-hot urgency, even though it’s impossible to eat it while it’s hot.

Paper dosa is a thin, crisp pancake made from a fermented batter of rice and lentil flour. They’re always large, but I’ve never before come across the three-foot long version. Then again, I’ve never before been to Udupi—the restaurant, or the city in southern India.

A giant version of the paper dosa, with its three little bowls of accompaniments.

A giant version of the paper dosa, with its three little bowls of accompaniments.

A paper dosa always comes with a little bowl of sambar (a thin tomatoey broth) and two fresh chutneys. Indian chutneys are not the sweet-hot preserved fruit bits in jars, as sold in U.S grocery stores. Those are “pickles.” Chutneys are fresh. With a paper dosa, you get one of ground coconut mixed with chilies and fresh green coriander or mint leaves, and one other, complimentary chutney (the kind varies).

The paper dosa is cooked on only one side, with ghee (clarified butter). A hidden surprise of potato curry lies within.

The paper dosa is cooked on only one side, with ghee (clarified butter). A hidden surprise of potato curry lies within.

If you order paper masala dosa, your dosa is rolled around a ladle of potato-onion curry, and the meal becomes hearty. They are always too much for me, but this one was amusing in its hugeness. It was no joke, though.

Indian restaurants are everywhere now; unfortunately, they all seem to have the same predictable menus: butter chicken, chicken tikka, lamb korma, beef vindaloo, aloo gobi… They’re all north Indian restaurants and they all must use the same boring, failsafe recipes. If you’ve never had the cuisine of south India, it’s worth seeking out. You’ll get dosas (maybe 17 kinds!), other unfamiliar crepes, pancakes, and “donuts,” and dishes rich with coconut and chilies.

Udupi Cafe
1636 N Scottsdale Road
…¨Tempe, AZ 85281 …¨
Phone: 480-994 8787

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Free U.S Gov. Travel Advice

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I started talking about Consular Information Sheets here.

Odd but possibly vital information can be found in the Consular Information Sheets regularly posted by the U.S. Department of State [D.O.S.]. For example:

“It is illegal to bring into Japan some over-the-counter medicines commonly used in the United States, including inhalers and some allergy and sinus medications. Japanese customs officials have detained travelers carrying prohibited items, sometimes for several weeks. Some U.S. prescription medications cannot be imported into Japan, even when accompanied by a customs declaration and a copy of the prescription.”

Staggering advice! But the report doesn’t stop there. It includes links to English-language Japanese sites with prescription look-ups, because “Japanese customs officials do not make on-the-spot …˜humanitarian’ exceptions.”

Lurking danger.

Lurking danger.

In a recent Peru information sheet,

“Travelers are advised to seek advice from local residents before swimming in jungle lakes or rivers, where alligators or other dangerous creatures may live. All adventure travelers should leave detailed written plans and a timetable with a friend and with local authorities in the region, and they should carry waterproof identification and emergency contact information. … Peruvian customs regulations require that many electronic items or items for commercial use be declared upon entering the country. Failure to make a full and accurate declaration can lead to arrest and incarceration.”

Better mention your laptop or digital camera.

If you “get sand in your shoes,” that is, fall in love with island life on your Bahamian vacation, you’ll be glad to have read that

“U.S. citizens should exercise caution when considering time-share investments and be aware of the aggressive tactics used by some time-share sales representatives. Bahamian law allows time-share purchasers five days to cancel the contract for full reimbursement. Disputes that arise after that period can be very time-consuming and expensive to resolve through the local legal system.”

Going to see the pyramids of Giza and Cairo’s exotic Khan el Khalili bazaar? The U.S. D.O.S. tells us that

“Egypt is one of the world’s leaders in fatal auto accidents. Traffic regulations are routinely ignored. If available, seatbelts should be worn at all times. … Sidewalks and pedestrian crossings are non-existent in many areas, and drivers do not yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.”

Certain danger.

Certain danger.

Knowing this will certainly alter your behavior whether driving, taxiing, or walking in Egypt.

The U.S. Department of State isn’t in the scare business. Each of its reports is rich with phone numbers and links to official websites to help travelers get the information they need. Instruction is included on how to deal with problems and emergencies while abroad, including after-hour phone numbers. The State Department’s information is invaluable, available via phone, fax, pamphlet, and internet; and free.

U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
For recorded travel information, call 202-647-5225
For information by fax, call 202-647-3000 from your fax machine
www.travel.state.gov

Excerpt from Travel Advisory: How to Avoid Thefts, Cons, and Street Scams
Chapter Two (part-c): Research Before You Go

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Muscat souk

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In a souk swirling with activity, we found a corner suitable for photos. This man suddenly danced in front of our camera, then danced away.

In a souk swirling with activity, we found a corner suitable for photos. This man suddenly danced in front of our camera, then danced away.

There was plenty of clowning around in Muscat last week. In the souk, Bob put a camera on a tripod and walked away from it. We wouldn’t do that in most of the places we visit, including other countries under strict Sharia law. But this Omani souk, crowded with locals, had a comfortable, family atmosphere.

Many women in Oman are completely covered, even their eyes.

Many women in Oman are completely covered, even their eyes.

Bob held a remote and snapped a few test shots. Without warning, this happy man danced into our shot. These two women also stepped in front of the shutter. A large number of women were completely covered, not even eye slits in their black face veils. Some wore sunglasses on top of full face veils.

I understand that Muslim women must cover themselves, but in 110 degree heat, their multiple layers must be torture. Bob was drenched in a loose, light-as-air shirt. I was hot in my two skimpy layers.

Some Omani tassels are in a contrasting color. I wanted to sniff one, but that would be too unseemly.

Some Omani tassels are in a contrasting color. I wanted to sniff one, but that would be too unseemly.

The local women wore long pants and long sleeves under their abayas and veils, and some wore scarves, too. Omani women wear very long abayas, “taller than themselves,” a custom which dates back to their Bedouin days, when even a woman’s footprints in the sand should not be seen. The long gown gracefully erased them. Omani men wear a tassel at the neck of their dishdasha, which is drenched in scent to enhance male-to-male hugs.

Bob Arno looks up to something as he pretends to relax with men in a souk.

Bob Arno looks up to something as he pretends to relax with men in a souk.

Bob plopped down among a group of men who happily gave permission to be photographed, despite their dubious expressions here. Turns out they were right to doubt the intentions of the tall skinny Western man with unseemly bare legs.

It wasn’t long before Bob had the watch of one of the men. After a suitable moment of laughter from the others, Bob returned the watch and was admonished with a smile.

Bob Arno practices thievery in the souk. He steals a watch in a split second.

Bob Arno practices thievery in the souk. He steals a watch in a split second.

I’m happy to report that Bob left town with both hands intact.

At the Muscat airport, we had to sit in the lobby an hour, waiting for check-in to begin. We found chairs in a “family section,” which was filled mostly with women (about 30) and small children, and a few couples. About half the women were fully covered; meaning, not even eyes showing. The rest were bare-faced or only eyes showing, plus one Indian in a sari, and one Muslim nanny in an ordinary headscarf. I watched the little children run around, ages 2 to 6, and wondered how they identified their mothers. The women had no peripheral vision; I wondered if they can even see to step off a curb.

Bob was gently scolded for his theft. It could have been much worse.

Bob was gently scolded for his theft. It could have been much worse.

High-end shops are popular in the Arab world. Women buy the latest Prada and Versace outfits, then cover them with abayas. At social gatherings, the women gather in a private room and remove their abayas.

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Travel is glamorous

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Out cold. Five small boys asleep on the floor of the Dubai airport. An older boy sits off to the right. A girl cuddles against her sleeping mother, in black. Somewhere, there must be an infant, as a baby bottle is standing behind the mother. Eventually the father arrived and squatted over his brood.

Out cold. Five small boys asleep on the floor of the Dubai airport. An older boy sits off to the right. A girl cuddles against her sleeping mother, in black. Somewhere, there must be an infant, as a baby bottle is standing behind the mother. Eventually the father arrived and squatted over his brood.

Example of a journey that did not go smoothly.

1. Taxi was late picking us up at home.
2. Taxi reeked of cigarette.
3. Taxi broke down, but limped into the airport. (Driver had to be picked up from the airport.)
4. Virgin Atlantic was unable to check us in. (Travel agent did something wrong in ticketing.)
5. Travel agent couldn’t be reached for about an hour. Almost too late, but not quite.
6. Due to ticketing anomalies, our luggage could only be tagged and checked through to London, forcing us to pick them up and re-check them there.
7. All four of our suitcases were marked for “random” searching.
8. The security tape we put on our suitcases was removed by TSA, making the contents vulnerable for the rest of the journey.
9. Power outlet at Las Vegas airport was dead but I didn’t notice and completely drained my computer battery.
10. Had to go through immigration and customs in London in order to re-check the bags.
11. Emirates Airlines at Gatwick could only tag bags as far as Muscat.
12. No lounge access at Gatwick. (Emirates Air no longer allows Star Alliance Gold members.)
13. Exit row seats promised on Emirates are not exit row. Plus, someone else is assigned to the same seats we are. (Fixed: exit row seats had been assigned properly, but boarding passes were printed incorrectly.)
14. Couldn’t check email in Dubai, computer battery dead. (Could have charged computer on the London-to-Dubai flight, but I was too tired to deal with it.)
15. Same problem with seats Dubai-to-Muscat. (Eventually resolved.)
16. Had to buy visas in Muscat just to collect and re-check luggage to Salalah (Oman).
17. Shoulder strap of my heavy carry-on bag broke. Must hand-hold from now on.
18. Driver in Salalah had too small a car for us plus luggage. Called for another car. Waited half an hour.
19. At maritime immigration office, officer could not find Oman visas in passports. Waited an hour while he and four others flipped through our many passport pages. (Eventually resolved.)
20. Driver’s car got flat tire. Had to wait for another car and transfer everything.

After 37 hours, we and all our luggage arrived safely. Not too bad, really; just exhausting.

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A false sense of security

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We met Lionel, an American, while traveling in Dubai.

We met Lionel, an American, while traveling in Dubai.

To a pair of pickpockets in London, Lionel Skidmore looked like an easy target. The thieves mounted a bus, then immediately turned and got off, pushing past Lionel, who was just getting on. Checking and noticing that his wallet was gone, Lionel ran after the perps and demanded the return of his wallet. One thief took off. The other pointed to the ground, where the wallet had been dropped. Nothing was missing from it.

The novel part of this story, to me, is that Lionel’s wallet was deep in his pocket, attached to a chain. Granted, the metal ring attachment was a weak one, according to Lionel, but the pickpockets didn’t know that when they decided to take the wallet.

Many people believe that rubber banding a wallet, as Lionel shows, prohibits pickpockets. Pickpockets tell us otherwise.

Many people believe that rubber banding a wallet, as Lionel shows, prohibits pickpockets. Pickpockets tell us otherwise.

This reminds me that there are no rules in pickpocketing; or rather, that there are, but they’re all bustable. For example, how many of you have heard that wrapping a rubber band around your wallet makes it harder to steal? Hands up. Right, I thought so. No, the thieves tell us—a rubber band makes their job easier. It gives them something to grip, and it keeps the wallet closed, preventing corners from catching in the extraction.

It’s easy to think that a wallet on a chain is safe (no comment on the fashion statement it makes). You’d think that pickpockets would move on to an unchained wallet—the vast majority of them. Turns out that the chain makes a handy little extraction tool. And according to Lionel, a long-time chain-user, most chains are cheap, Chinese-made metal with weak attachment rings.

There\'s always a weakest link. In this case, Lionel\'s hefty new ring attachment is threaded through a flimsy wisp of dried leather.

There's always a weakest link. In this case, Lionel's hefty new ring attachment is threaded through a flimsy wisp of dried leather.

Lionel showed us his new, heavy-weight chain-attachment-ring. Looks strong! But it’s threaded through a thin layer of worn, flimsy leather at the corner of his wallet. Easily the weakest link in a weak system. A useless grommet, freed from the loose leather, slides around the ring. Lionel feels his chained wallet is secure. His (false) sense of security allows him to travel the world with confidence.

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See Bob Arno live

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Bob Arno on stage

Bob Arno on stage

Bob and I are proud to announce our mini East Coast tour this November. We’re excited to be doing a ticketed show, open to the public, and we’re thrilled to be working with three other enormously talented con artists, all in one show.

So often we’re asked where Bob can be seen live, but all his performances these days are private corporate events. Finally, for one week in November, you can buy a ticket and see the World’s Only Legal Pickpocket live on stage.

Prepare to be conned…

The show, Hoodwinked, stars Todd Robbins, Banachek, and Richard Turner, along with Bob Arno. You can read about the four of them in my earlier post here and more about the show here.

Here’s the schedule of our mini-tour: 

Nov. 18 — State Theatre, Easton, PA, 8 pm
Nov. 19 — Lyman Center, New Haven, CT, 8 pm
Nov. 20 — Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, NY, 8 pm
Nov. 21 — Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY, 8 pm
Nov. 22 — City Stage, Springfield, MA, 3 pm and 8 pm

And the trailer:

See you there?

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Retail loss prevention

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Virginia Retail Loss Prevention Conference centerpiece

Virginia Retail Loss Prevention Conference centerpiece

The crotch-walk was demonstrated, just before a strip-tease, at the Virginia Retail Loss Prevention Conference last week. We do get to see some oddball demonstrations, like how to steal a Rolex, the miraculous faro shuffle,  and how organized crime families work.

An armed robber bursts into a small retail shop in a mock robbery.

An armed robber bursts into a small retail shop in a mock robbery.

Thursday evening, attendees saw a comedic demonstration of pickpocketing—performed by the inimitable Bob Arno, of course. We all scooted out of the conference in time to catch the VP debates.

Friday morning began with an armed robbery—rather, a mock robbery—staged and acted in a corner of a hotel ballroom fitted out with the works of an entire discount apparel store. Within the mock shop, a real FBI agent played customer, looked after by an attentive shop employee. When a gunman burst through the door brandishing real blue steel and shouting for cash, the shop employee raised a baseball bat. (Wrong move.) The enraged robber emptied the till, waved his weapon about, and demanded the contents of the safe. When the cowering employee insisted there was no safe, we thought the robbery would become a murder. But the perp fled and a police detective showed up to quiz witnesses (attendees) for descriptions. Height, weight of suspect? scars? tattoos? clothes? hat? weapon? which way did he go? car? license plate? It all happened so fast it’s amazing what we missed.

Each woman wears eight outfits, layers applied in the shop\'s dressing room.

Each woman wears eight outfits, layers applied in the shop's dressing room.

After breakout sessions on till-tapping, sweethearting, environmental anti-theft design, and other esoteric topics, lunch was served, accompanied by a thieves’ fashion show. Brilliantly written by Susan Milhoan, president and CEO of the Retail Alliance, male and female models paraded across the stage to pulsing new-age music lying under Susan’s slick narrative. We were introduced to shoplifters with a variety of ingenious methods and containers for hiding their ill-gotten gains: a gift-wrapped box with a hidden flap, a loosely-closed umbrella carried upright, booster-bags slung about the hips under voluminous skirts, and many more.

In a thieves\' strip-tease, two shoplifters peel off the layers.

In a thieves' strip-tease, two shoplifters peel off the layers.

Finally came the crotch-walker: a woman in a dress who casually strolled before the crowd and, on command, dropped a small appliance to the floor from its snug position, gripped tightly between her thighs. Whole hams are frequently stolen this way, our fashion narrator explained, then sold at a discount for quick cash. Yum.

The thieves’ fashion show finale was a raucous strip tease starring two young, slim women who sidled onto the stage with slinky grace. Classic stripper music began and the women proceeded to peel layer after layer off of their bodies. Each wore eight complete outfits and, though they stopped stripping while still decent, stood among a mountain of garments, with a value of thousands of dollars.

95% of retailers in Virginia are small businesses with only one to five employees. The sole function of the Virginia Retail Loss Prevention Alliance is to provide these business owners with resources to help prevent “shrinkage.” According to Milhoan, only three organizations like hers exist in the U.S. Yet, what they offer is of immense value to small retailers across America. I’d like to see the Virginia Retail Loss Prevention Conference tour as a road show. Any sponsors out there?

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