When I was in Istanbul, I gave my wallet (with all my money) and documents to a stranger at the door, to look after (you are not allowed to take things with you into the building)

Only after he was out of sight, did I have a moment of doubt - he was still there, smiling, with all my stuff, when I got back 10 minutes later.

When I was in Zimbabwe, I paid a group of street boys the equivalent of £1 to look after ALL my and my brother's things, including helmets, bags, etc.

We got delayed, and only got back hours later. They were still there. And so was all our stuff.

In Mozambique, I gave our passports to a complete stranger, with money for visas, because he said he could help us.

He disappeared into the crowds. I waited, and waited... and started to think how stupid I was - when he returned, with our passports, and all our stamps and permits sorted.

In Johannesburg, I lost my wallet with a weeks worth of wages in cash, in a flea market.

It never occured to me that it was stolen, I knew I had LOST it... and when I went back, to retrace my steps - one of the stall owners had my wallet, with all the money still in it...

A black man had picked it up, and given it to him, asking him to ring the phone number in the wallet to try and return it to its owner.


I can go on for several pages, accepting lifts from strangers on my own, giving money to people to look after, lost money returned etc. etc. etc.... and then...



In Botswana, we kept our camera equipment in a trailer, LOCKED UP with THREE padlocks, inside secured PELI cases and we never let it out of our sight. We were completely paranoid about security.

At the border, in a blink of an eye - in the time it took to sort our passports out, in full view of guards / public... someone had jimmied the locks, and stolen the peli cases. £20,000 worth of kit.


In London, we kept our new 125cc locked up, in a residence only, gated parking area, under a bike cover. We were completely paranoid about security. Got stolen within a few weeks of owning it.

The only time EVER I got money stolen from me whilst I was travelling, was when I was completely paranoid about security... I had it in a LOCKED money belt, inside my rucksack, and I SLEPT ON TOP OF MY RUCKSACK... £400 stolen. Whilst I was sleeping, someone slit the bag open, right under my head.



My experience may be unique -- but I believe, you reap what you sow.

Perhaps paranoia has a smell... and opportunist can pick you out.

Perhaps trust, inspires trust, and fosters pride and kindness and compassion.

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