Riobamba is a pleasant enough town, but you wouldn't want to be there for longer than riding the Devil's Nose train, or perhaps a tour to the nearby volcano. Even though my tum was still very bad, I had planned to move on to a nearby travellers' hang out called Baños.
 
That wasn't going to happen when I got back to my room at around midday after the morning doing internet stuff. The first thing I noticed was that my rucksack had been ripped open ith a knife. I had left it padlocked as usual. My travellers cheques, an ATM and credit card had been taken. I always split money things between my moneybelt and rucksack or day pack, in case I get mugged I shall still have acess to money.
 
The family running the hotel were shocked and very helpful. Apparently it was first time this had happened at the hotel. First time for me after 5 months in South America! After more than an hour at a locutorio I had cancelled my cards and American Express had arranged for me to be able to collect replacements the following day in Quito! I was impressed with American Express I must say!

Next, a thorough search through my things revealed that the thieves had taken some of my better clothes (the rest were at the lauderette thankfully), mosquito net and most strange my washbag! They had emptied the contents and taken the bag!! The most annoying thing they took was my moby, which doesn't work, but had my sim card with all my contact details. Serves you right you bastards stealing a phone that doesn't work! Bet the jeans are too big for you too! They took some other small things too.
 
Next task was to make a police report. The guy from the hotel came with me. It took a while to explain that I didn't want a investigation, just a report for an insurance claim when I get back to the UK! They took my details and I was told to come back in an hour. When I did, I was proudly presented with an official letter detailing the theft, which they were even more proud to have done on the computador!
 
There was no sign of forced entry to my room. The family reckoned it migt have been the people in the room next to me as they had come home drunk the night before. I know - I heard them at 2am! The family were so helpful and also insisted that I did not pay for my stay! I did give the chico a good tip as he had worked hard to help me. I think they were relieved that I did not want a full police investigation. It wouldn't have helped. After all, it could have happened anywhere.
 
So, I am now in Quito, with replacement travellers' cheques, and a rucksack still functioning after I repaired it with needle, thread and duct tape! Most things can gradually be replaced. The most annoying thing is that all the information on the sim card has gone. Thankfully most of that is on my computer at home! Good to have a back up plan, although my back up cards have now gone. I have got to be really careful from now on! Chris