Electronics in the Dam

[intricatethakid]

Sorry.. Wasn't really sure what section to put this in, but I decided that since this question pertains to my plans for my next trip, that this might be the most appropriate section.

Anywho:

I'm just curious as to what you guys do about bringing/keeping safe your electronics in the Dam. I know that most of the places people end up staying are hostels, and some of them aren't the most secure places lol (the place I was at last year seemed okay, but I'm willing to bet that the cleaning service would have loved to be able to nick my laptop).

Anyways, we were so paranoid last year that we didn't even bring cell phones.

SO what do you guys do? Do you bring your cell phones? How do you go about worrying about roaming fees? Doesn't that get pricey?

Do you bring your laptops? Where do you store them when they aren't on you? Do you find that sitting in a coffeeshop enjoying some free wi-fi on your laptop draws some attention? (aka somebody remembering to hit you over the head once you leave?)

Call me paranoid, but I just like to make sure that nothing really stands a chance of going wrong on my trip. Last year I was slightly nervous about being mugged at first, however after my first day I totally loosened up and got used to the city (but I didn't have anything really valuable on me @ the time other than my money which was easily concealable).

Thanks in advance

[Marco]

Sorry.. Wasn't really sure what section to put this in, but I decided that since this question pertains to my plans for my next trip, that this might be the most appropriate section.

Anywho:

I'm just curious as to what you guys do about bringing/keeping safe your electronics in the Dam. I know that most of the places people end up staying are hostels, and some of them aren't the most secure places lol (the place I was at last year seemed okay, but I'm willing to bet that the cleaning service would have loved to be able to nick my laptop).

Anyways, we were so paranoid last year that we didn't even bring cell phones.

SO what do you guys do? Do you bring your cell phones? How do you go about worrying about roaming fees? Doesn't that get pricey?

Do you bring your laptops? Where do you store them when they aren't on you? Do you find that sitting in a coffeeshop enjoying some free wi-fi on your laptop draws some attention? (aka somebody remembering to hit you over the head once you leave?)

Call me paranoid, but I just like to make sure that nothing really stands a chance of going wrong on my trip. Last year I was slightly nervous about being mugged at first, however after my first day I totally loosened up and got used to the city (but I didn't have anything really valuable on me @ the time other than my money which was easily concealable).

Thanks in advance

Not paranoid at all. I got mugged once, all my own fault.

Let me address your cell phone question. Being from the US, the roaming fees will be huge. Now what kind of phone do you have? Does it have a sim card? If so, you can get a local sim card for 10e which will give you a local number and the ability to call local numbers. You can give it to your fam. back home and they can call it.

If you do not have a phone that takes a SIM, they are about 30e here.

Amsterdam is a city with crime, that is for sure. You really cannot go on what other visitors have experienced. I will tell you my experience living here and jetting around with a laptop during the day (all over not just the center) is that I never even think twice that someone will rob me on the way out.

At night in the RLD, its a different game. I would be careful with any electronics or money there.

Good luck