I was pickpocketed

Safety and security is a huge problem here in Ecuador. If you are not looking, even for just a second, you will get pickpocketed. I thought I was being careful, but even then, those pickpocketers are VERY clever and know what they are doing. They always say watch out for pickpocketers in big cities or other countries abroad, but this is the first time where it really is a big problem. In short, my camera was stolen from me, only my camera, not the money or credit card it was resting next too. I was being cautious, but she still got me. :( So there will be no pictures for a while until I get a new camera.

The U.S. embassy sent someone to talk to us about safety and here's the rundown of what to do and stories:

• ALWAYS have your bag in front of you and keep your eyes on it, otherwise it will be sliced from the bottom and you won't even know you've had your things stolen.
• There are many taxis here, and according to the embassy, if it does not have an orange license plate, the number of the service, proof of registration with the municipal, and a couple other characteristics, you are not supposed to take it. Only about 1/3 of taxis meet all of this criteria, which makes it hard to flag one down sometimes.

Storytime:

• The main thing thieves and pickpocketers are trying to do is distract you.
• There is the smash-and-grab where people selling items on the streets between cars are looking into cars to see whose purses and bags are close and unattended near a window. They usually have a person juggling in front of you (I have already seen this many times) to distract the car and then, they then proceed to smash your window and grab your bag and run off.
• There is also the condiment distraction where they squirt mustard or ketchup on you to distract you at a restaurant giving them time to steal your bag before you notice.
  
• One American woman was walking down a street when two guys came up to her--one threw a bucket of bird poop on her (I don't know how you even get a bucket of it...) and then the other one took her bag as she stepped bag in surprise
• A student was skyping his parents at an internet cafe when his parents saw a man come up behind the student, hit his head, knocking him over, and stole his computer.
• Buses--prime pickpocketing place. You are surrounded by people who are always moving and getting off. Many people are robbed while standing there either their bag is sliced, or the pickpocketers are so good, you cannot feel your stuff being stolen.
  

I am now with my host family and I feel very safe as most houses are behind a guarded area. However, I hear car alarms going off for ten or fifteen minutes a few times everyday.

I was unlucky, but now I know, and I hope that is the only trouble I will run into during my time here!