Glad to see you got lucky on day 2, compared to what happened

to our friends in 2003.

They were a group of Chinese (relatives and friends from all over the world), about 10-12 people doing Russia as a group.

On their first day in Moscow, the group leader's backpack was stolen right under his feet - gone with it, passports, cameras, camcorders and sundry stuff. So him and our friend who is his brother-in-law, spent their first day at the Canadian Embassy to do the paperwork for passport replacement. Luckily there was no more incident afterward. The cameras and camcorders also were reimbursed by their homeowner insurance when they returned home and filed claims.

Another friend has booked a 14day river cruise next March. She is torn between using the tour operator's air ($2100 coach) or using her AA miles (0 cost Biz) - because if she opts for her own air, then she loses the transfer from tour operator - meaning she has to make her own way to the airport on the departure date, around 5am in the morning... That is not a very sound idea for a woman travel alone, imo.