6abc

Sorry about your bad memories Viajero2. But I hear what you are saying especially after being a victim. What a shame.

Oh and Palen Q, I am the original poster and I think I have decided to leave my camera in our room when we go out. How sad. I am sure I would have gotten some wonderful people pictures.

Any comment on when we go from the Airport in Barcelona to the train to get to Girona. This is my main concern. We will have a backpack and a piece of luggage and probably look totally lost and like tourists.

I still haven't checked out the transportation we need to get to Girona. I think we need to take a train to get to another train to get there. Comments appreciated.

danon

I have no intention of discussing the topic with posters whose manners and tone
come from what they are accustomed to in their own family
They seem to confuse the public forum with their dinner table.


There is a train from T2 to the train station Sants.
if you are worried , take a taxi from the airport to the train station.(25-30 euros)
Check RENFE. for departure times.

Thousands of tourists look just like you.

zeppole

6abc,

I hope you are considering seeing the beautiful town of Vic as well as Girona. I don't know your entire itinerary, but if you are going to be near Castello d'Empuries, it is also a very atmospheric old small town, beautifully preserved.

Do not carry your passport on you when you are out sightseeing anywhere. Carry a copy and leave everything valuable that would be a pain to replace -- your passport, your house keys, your camera memory cards, etc. -- in the safe in your hotel room.

Anywhere you go in Spain, you should book a hotel with a safe big enough to secure all your valuables. I would not leave a camera in a hotel room if it wasn't locked in a safe. If you are staying in tiny budget hotels, make sure you have read enough reviews on the internet that you know that hotel is secure and family run.

If you can afford it, take a taxi when you are carrying luggage. Otherwise, do what I saw one beautifully dressed young Spanish woman do on the train in Barcelona. She had her backpack on the front of her chest. She was pulling a roller bag as well, but her other arm was across that backpack she was wearing backwards across her chest. Turn your backpack around so you can keep your eyes and hands on it and all its zippers. Put twisty-ties through the zipper pulls.

Were it me, I would carry enough memory cards that if worse came to worse and my camera got stolen, at least I would still have the pictures, stowed in a separate place.

You should plan the trip that makes you feel the most comfortable and secure. The cautions you are hearing about Spain do need to be taken into account, and I for one don't like to take responsibility for other people's safety and belongings.

spaarne

A long long time before 9/11 the Basque nationalists regularly bombed places in Spain. The train station luggage lockers were all disabled. Now the luggage lockers are in a remote part of the station or in another building, if any.

I never leave my passport in the room. I wear a t-shirt under my regular shirt. The t-shirt has a breast pocket were I keep the passport, big cash, and CCs. Hanes sells these t-shirts tagless. Ladies would probably want to sew a pocket under their arm as suggested above.

I also never leave my room without my camera, a beefy Nikon with 18-200 zoom lens, on a strap around my neck. I keep my left hand on it so it won't be bouncing off my belly and for security.

It is truly sad to read about the muggings in Barcelona. In the good old days you just had to protect yourself against pickpockets and luggage thieves. That was challenging enough. Luckily I stopped a pickpocket in Madrid years ago.

6abc

Thanks Spaarne. I like the T-shirt idea. Would love to come up with a device that I can put pins on my wallet etc. so that if someone reaches in to get it OUCH. Maybe some sort of velcro. I actually saw something on TV the other night. Not for this purpose but to keep women's cloths and "other things" in place. They were like velcro patches. Would make it harder for anyone to get.

ita

I keep vowing not to read this post anymore, but I am constantly drawn to it. I once velcroed my wallet to the inside of my purse. I have never had a problem, but once in Paris, I turned around to check on my friend and there was a young girl with her hand in my friend's fanny pack (on her front) removing her camera. I grabbed her hand and eventually let her go. I was surprised at how violent I felt towards this thief. Her accomplices all ran away. If they had been smarter they could have robbed me blind while I was dealing with the situation. My friend was completely unaware of this child unzipping her bag and beginning to remove her camera.

kayd

If the WALLET is what thieves will grab, go without a wallet -- have a few bills and a credit card in an inside pocket of your purse or in a front jeans pocket.

zeppole

From the Guardian UK, a story about a ban on Barcelona city souvenir buttons and refrigerator magnets that show purse snatchings, prostiution, etc. They were being sold in the gift shop of the city's modern art museum and history museum until the local government stepped in to ban them.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011...als-ban-badges

Fixing the real problem might be a better way to go than trying to stop people from noticing it.

Davisman

Hi, following this post as we have a trip there in B. in October..have any of you used the Scottevest to carry your things instead of fanny packs and shoulder bags?

I have heard they are great for traveling but have not owned one..would love to hear from you that have.
D.

6abc

Davisman:
There products look amazing. The vest with 22 pockets would certainly confuse a pickpocket.

It would probably confuse me too (and forget my husband). I could see us having to draw a map to remember where everything is. I get confused just with 3 pockets in my handbag. That being said....I think these look great. Might invest in at least one. I will let you know if I do.

We area also going in Oct. But we went from spending several days in B. to only spending 2 maybe just one. I know exactly what I want to see this time around -Parc Guell and Sagrada Familla. We have alot planned for outside the city and will enjoy our time out there for our extra few days that we have after hiking. Have a wonderful time. Maybe I will spot you wearing one of those jackets or vests.

6abc

Davisman just wanted to let you know I ordered a vest for myself and one for my husband. They look great. Watched videos on youtube and the website.

Their items look great just for traveling in general. Vest looks like it will be good for hiking too. Thanks for the tip. Should get them in a few days.

6abc

Davisman I hope you read this post. I received our vest. The first 2 I got were too heavy for where we were going (Spain in OCT.) Returned them and got the lighter weight ones today. LOVE them. Not bad looking either. Got a grey for husband and black for me. Just the perfect weight for the fall. I will post when I return to let you know how they worked out.

Scotts vest for anyone who is interested.

ita

they look great, but I would go insane trying to remember what I put in which pocket. I would have to carry around both the road map and the xray map. Would that tip pick pockets off that I am a tourist?

MrsHoney

6abc, I'm curious how your trip was...any issues with your camera? I know that there are some on here who say that pick-pocketing is no more of a problem in Barcelona than anywhere else. But as a former tourism professional, I'd say when official tourism sites, non-official tourism sites, hotel sites, apartment rental sites, locals and other tourists all give you the same warning, you should probably pay attention. I've off to Barcelona in two days. I'll be there over a week. I'm leaving my jewelery, including my engagement and wedding rings, at home. I'm not taking my Nikon. But I'm planning on staying alert, heeding the good advice and having a great time. I hope others will check out the following link regarding this subject, as well, which does have some valuable information: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...na-safety.html

6abc

Mrs. Honey
We leave on Oct. 1. I am taking my Nikon. I got a nondescript strap (no Nikon logo on it) and I plan to tape over the word Nikon. This is also a street photography tip. It helps people not to look at the camera. I really considered not taking my camera but I know I would be disappointed without it.

The camera will fit under the vest and I also use a CottonCarrier that I love and have used in other countries and here in the States. The camera hooks onto a vest that you wear. All very light weight. The carrier takes the weight of the camera off your neck. I love it. Wouldn't travel without it. It is too late for you to get one but look into it for your next trip. (cottoncarrier.com)

Be safe...have fun...and always insure your gear....Post when you get back and let me know how you made out.

easytraveler

I love my scottevest and the scottevest jacket! I've been to Asia and Europe with them and can't imagine traveling without them, especially the scottevest.

Over half the pockets are inside, so no one knows what you are carrying where in the inner pockets. The pockets on the outside either have zippers or magnets, so they don't flop open.

As for the backpack being carried on the chest, a friend of mine who lives in France taught me that years ago - useful especially for the metro system.

Davisman

Hi 6abc..didn't realize there was a heavy weight and light weight scottevest..what was the first one you received..can't wait to get ours.they are.coming here (Mexico) with friend from US..
Davisman

6abc

Hi Davisman
I think the lightweight vest is fairly new. I had originally gotten the regular one. That has a heavier lining (not really heavy...like a satin one on a jacket). The lightweight has a mesh lining.

I got an XL (I am not that big)5'6' and around 138 (on a good day). But I can put the vets over my fleece jacket (that has been on just about all our trips...do think it is time for something new..but I just love the fact I can fold it in a ball and throw it in my backpack. I looked at some jackets at REI yesterday and just too bulky. So the XL I plan to wear over the fleece if it is cool.

Yep just 2 pocket on the outside and you can fit a water bottle in the one that has the key attachment.

Let me know what you think.

I had also ordered several pants. Wasn't what a wanted. A bit too heavy for travel. Since we hike we like the lightweight pants. So the pants went back.

Can't wait to see what you think.

Easytraveler...I would love to wear my pack in front but they are somewhat big. Not trekking packs but a good sized day pack. Can't imagine carrying in front. But I will give it a try.
Which vest and jacket do you have?
6abc

danon

6abc,
You might wish to star a new thread related to scottevestt.

easytraveler

Hi, 6abc,

I've got the standard vest which is in a L since my regular size is M or S.

I've also got the SeV Revolution Jacket with sleeves (can't be removed) and hood( can be removed). This is in an XL size, so i can wear the vest inside the jacket.

Both were super warm, and with them both on plus a wool scarf and a wool cap, I could go through some really cold weather.

My next scottevest will be more of the summer variety.

My backpack is a Rick Steves Civita Day Pack. It's extremely lightweight, durable, and the zippers have lasted about 15/20 years of constant travel use. Mine is black and I wash it after each long distance trip. It has enough room in it that I can pack a week's worth of things inside.

With a Scottevest, the Civita bag, and a 20" roller, it's almost overkill. I have so much room in which to haul back souvenirs!