Avoiding Trouble
Almost all the problems tourists in Barcelona encounter are to do with petty crime - pickpocketing and bag-snatching - rather than more serious physical confrontations, so it's as well to be on your guard and know where your possessions are at all times. Sensible precautions include: carrying bags slung across your body, not off one shoulder; not carrying anything in zipped pockets which you can't keep an eye on; having photocopies of your passport, leaving the original and any tickets in the hotel safe; never leaving your wallet in your back pocket; and noting down travellers' cheque and credit card numbers. Don't depend on moneybelts - good thieves know how they are carried and how to remove them. The bottom end of the Ramblas and the medieval streets to either side are where you most need to be on your guard. Take the usual precautions at night: avoid unlit streets and dark alleys, don't go out brimming with valuables, and don't flash fancy cameras or look hopelessly lost in run-down areas. Other places to be especially wary are around the Sagrada Familia and on the metro. Thieves often work in pairs, so watch out for people standing unusually close if you're studying postcards or papers at stalls on the Ramblas; keep an eye on your wallet if it appears you're being distracted. Ploys (by some very sophisticated operators) include: the "helpful" person pointing out bird shit (shaving cream or something similar) on your jacket while someone relieves you of your money; the card or paper you're invited to read on the street to distract your attention. In cafe terraces never leave your bags unzipped or on a neighbouring chair, place them under your table and loop a chair leg through a shoulder strap. Be careful of someone in a cafe making a move for your drink with one hand - the other hand will be in your bag as you react to save your drink. If you have a car don't leave anything in view when you park it; take the radio with you. When driving in the city, keep all car doors locked, thieves can easily snatch a bag from a car's back seat and run off, leaving the driver stranded. Vehicles are rarely stolen, but luggage and valuables left in cars do make a tempting target and rental cars are easy to spot. Looking for hotel rooms , don't leave any bags unattended anywhere. This applies especially to buildings where the hotel or hostal is on the higher floors and you're tempted to leave baggage in the hallway or ground-floor lobby. Don't assume that your fellow dorm mates or travellers are honest just because they speak your language.
misskelly says "make sure you always have at least a basic first aid box with you.you never know when you might need it!" misskelly says "make sure that you always have atleast a basic first aid box with you at all times when travelling.you never know just when you might need it!" BullfightingJennifer says "Places to see bullfighting
" Pamplona/BarcelonaRod says "Hi I just would like some advice on barcelona and pamplona on where to go and things I should'nt leave there without going to. Thanks My e-mail is rigochevere@yahoo.com"
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