Warning

Upon arrival in, Quito, we quickly made plans to visit, Mindo. Mindo, is in the cloud forest and is known for it's may bird species and water falls.

On day two we headed to the main bus terminal in, Quito, Ecuador. I was traveling with a group, me and three other members of the 2008 Landmark Learning Relief Medic Expedition. Once at the bus station we quickly purchased tickets and boarded a bus. There were eight or ten people on the bus when we boarded. Several people selling items, moving up and down the isles. One male individual appeared to work for the buss and was checking tickets and helping us with or assigned seats(?). In my case, he also helped me place my duffel bag in the overhead compartment. I was aware that having my bag stored above me was not a great idea and I needed to keep a close eye on it. Boarding the buss, and getting to or seat, took maybe 20 seconds. After seated, not more that 10 seconds had pasted and I checked on my bag; it was gone! I quickly jumped to my feet, shouted loudly, “my bag is gone!” Then began searching for my luggage. My main concern was that the thief had gotten off the bus with my bag. I began my search from my seat heading back and found my bag, two rows behind, alone in a seat with some of it's contents removed. I was certainly glade to see it, and glade it was still on the buss! I quickly checked to verify witch items were missing and to my surprise everything was there; nothing was missing! He obviously did not have time to finish the job!

Only a day or two later, the entire group of twelve were on our way to Riobamba (South of Quito). We were previously warned of the posiblity of theft. I informed everyone in advance of my situation and instructed everyone to keep their day packs in their lap, only! The entire group is now headed for the main bus terminal in Quito. Once on the bus, a fellow expedition member (called TT Boy) allows a native to assist him with his bag; the native places his top loading day pack under his seat and he (TT Boy) takes his seat. At this point the rest of the group is not aware, and either is TT boy that he is in the process of being robbed. Later after arriving in, Riobamba, TT boy mentions to me that he is missing money (cash USD) and his yellow CDC card. This is what happened; when the man placed his bag under the seat, he did it so in such a way, that the top of the bag – witch has a small accessories pocket that is commonly used for small loose items that are need quickly - was facing the seat behind, the native then sat in the seat behind and had all the time needed to access the small pocket and take what he wanted!

Several weeks past, as I am only days away from departing, Quito, and returning to the USA. Sitting in the hostel I over hear a conversation. The conversation was between the manger of the hostel and a male and female traveler who were staying at the hostel. They described the exact same scam, that had failed in my case. In my case the robber's got nothing and I was able to continue with that leg of my trip. In this case the bag was placed in the overhead bin and they lost $500 USD and a passport, and could not continue that leg of their trip. This accrued at the same main bus terminal in, Quito, and if I had to guess the same group of 4 native people.