Laura and Ark at Barcelona Conference, October 15, 2011
- Thread starter WhiteBear
- Start date
Odysseus
Jedi
Reservations and flights are booked. I'm so looking forward to the conference! 
Unfortunately my flight back is on Sunday at 14:30, so I will have only time until noon :(
Oh and yes, Barcelona is lovely (have been there once on a short vaccation), but also a dangerous place
pickpocket-wise, I almost got relieved of my wallet in the subway. I caught him with his hands on my pocket's zipper
half opened; In the aftermath my girlfriend and I concluded it was a professional clique of at least three members:
The first of them staged a scene of having difficulties with his "heavy" trolley bag getting aboard the subway blocking the entrance, while
the second patiently (and skillfully!) opened my short's pocket zipper. The third one was that guy who tried to calm me
down after the attempt failed (I became aware of this only after my girlfriend pointed out later, he was definitely part
of the game, as he was making calls on his mobile after "calming me down" -probably with his friends- for whatever coordination purposes).
It was my luck I guess that I entered prematurely and impatiently the subway having enough of that guy with his stupid trolley (I was thinking
to myself "What the heck is his problem?) and I sort of sensed a tension on my shorts side (Our both looks were definitely priceless: Him getting caught
and me going "What the...?")
Better leave your credit card(s) home or at the hotel room's safe and just take enough cash for the day with you.
Sorry for the slight off topic here, but I thought you guys should be aware and prepared, I know I will.
Unfortunately my flight back is on Sunday at 14:30, so I will have only time until noon :(
Oh and yes, Barcelona is lovely (have been there once on a short vaccation), but also a dangerous place
pickpocket-wise, I almost got relieved of my wallet in the subway. I caught him with his hands on my pocket's zipper
half opened; In the aftermath my girlfriend and I concluded it was a professional clique of at least three members:
The first of them staged a scene of having difficulties with his "heavy" trolley bag getting aboard the subway blocking the entrance, while
the second patiently (and skillfully!) opened my short's pocket zipper. The third one was that guy who tried to calm me
down after the attempt failed (I became aware of this only after my girlfriend pointed out later, he was definitely part
of the game, as he was making calls on his mobile after "calming me down" -probably with his friends- for whatever coordination purposes).
It was my luck I guess that I entered prematurely and impatiently the subway having enough of that guy with his stupid trolley (I was thinking
to myself "What the heck is his problem?) and I sort of sensed a tension on my shorts side (Our both looks were definitely priceless: Him getting caught
and me going "What the...?")
Better leave your credit card(s) home or at the hotel room's safe and just take enough cash for the day with you.
Sorry for the slight off topic here, but I thought you guys should be aware and prepared, I know I will.
Mahael859
Jedi
I think a lot of people know it already.
I find couchsurfing.org be an intresting way to find accomodations around the globe, no money needs but a willingness to share places and experiences.
I have never travelled this way yet but In my house we accomodated a lot of people from this website and everytime was a surprise!
I think I will visit Barcelona in this way, this time.
Really happy to be able to come
I find couchsurfing.org be an intresting way to find accomodations around the globe, no money needs but a willingness to share places and experiences.
I have never travelled this way yet but In my house we accomodated a lot of people from this website and everytime was a surprise!
I think I will visit Barcelona in this way, this time.
Really happy to be able to come
Hi Odysseus, I agree with you that in Barcelona you should be careful with pickpockets and bags snatcher, but do not consider it a really dangerous city. Just take a sharp eye when you're on the subway and also in the crowds. These things happen particularly in tourist areas of the city. Moreover, the authorities are taking measures to tackle the problem. Recently there has been a police raid on a network of pickpocket and petty thieves and increased surveillance in the wake of many complaints.
In any case I wish you a pleasant stay to you and to all those who come from abroad and enjoy both the conference and the city and its people.
In any case I wish you a pleasant stay to you and to all those who come from abroad and enjoy both the conference and the city and its people.
Odysseus said:
I think this is being a little over cautious. I think it will suffice to just make sure your wallets etc. are not easily accessible on your person. I've been to Barcelona several times and have never had any such problems. The metro in any city, with people crowded together, is obviously a place to take extra care, but I don't think anyone needs to take the metro in Barcelona. There are regular buses from the airport direct to the city center and the apartments where most are staying are withing walking distance to anywhere you'll need to go, including the WTC.
Odysseus
Jedi
Perceval said:
I wasn't aware of pickpocketing in Barcelona and thought my wallet in a zipped up pocket should be safe enough. The rest of our vacation I *was* in fact over cautious. I was really upset, when this happened to me and back home I checked in forums about pickpocketing in Barcelona. They are really ressource-full and skillfull and as Tristan pointed out, they are targeting mainly tourist areas. All I am saying is (if it's you first visit): Enjoy your stay in Barcelona, but watch out for your belongings if you combine your stay with some sightseeing.
Sorry, if I sounded panicking and over cautious, I didn't mean to spoil any fun. Just keep an extra eye open for your valuables if you're sightseeing and enjoy the stay. :)
I think its fine to remind people that in major cities of the world you have to keep alert. A friend who has just been to stay told me that he and his friends were in Barcelona and were approached by a couple of artful dodgers. One was holding up a large piece of cardboard with writing on it. (please give us some money kind of thing) While this was continually thrown in their faces a small child was behind the cardboard and hidden by it.They used this cover to reach from under the board and steal a wallet.
They did not expect to be discovered and chased through the streets by 15 grown men :) They threw the wallet to the ground after a short chase. Just one tactic to look out for.
They did not expect to be discovered and chased through the streets by 15 grown men :) They threw the wallet to the ground after a short chase. Just one tactic to look out for.
To help people get up to speed as far as safety from pickpocketing goes, this page seems very informative: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/general/barcelona-safety.html
From the same sight, here is a page about how to dress more like a local so that trickster's can't spot you as a tourist so easily: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/shopping/barcelona-clothes.html
Hope this helps. ;D
Since I think the hotels where people would likely be staying are in or around the Ramblas, there is reason to be aware and to take some precautions ahead of time. I think one of the most important things to do is to read the accounts of people who have been scammed, so that one can recognize better when tricks are being pulled.
From the same sight, here is a page about how to dress more like a local so that trickster's can't spot you as a tourist so easily: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/shopping/barcelona-clothes.html
Hope this helps. ;D
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