danon

as I said, no point in discussing it...
Glad the tourists can show their cousin Burt back home what "those foreigners " look like.

I have returned from nine days in Barcelona and Madrid
on Friday. As on previous visits, no one tried to mug me, pickpocket or bother me in any way. On the contrary - the taxi and bus drivers were chatty, RENFE and subway employees eager to help.

Yes, I did not take public transit after midnight, I don't carry a backpack, never
wave my camera or a map in the subway, don't dress like a teenager, did not walk the streets of Barrio Gótico or La Latina at 3 A.M.
I understand ,that in spite of all precautions, bad things can and have happened to some travelers.
I guess, that is the risk we are all willing to take.

ita

we are back from Barcelona. We were very careful with our purses and did not have any attempts at pickpocketing. We did not use the metro. My theft alarm attached to my purse went off several times accidently, much to my daughter's embarrassment. People looked and laughed when they saw that it was an accident. We met one young man whose wallet had been lifted from his back pocket on the metro. He lost 200E but found his wallet, cards intact nearby. He was foolish and this could have happened anywhere.

ita

p.s. I had real trouble telling who was native or a visitor. This was not Paris chic-rather boho chic and everyone could have been from anywhere. Foot wear was not an indication. All sorts were worn. We were mistaken for natives. i would assume that those people escorting their children to school were natives.

txtree

I carried my giant camera all over Barcelona, clearly marking me as the tourist I was. The only "incident" we had was similar to 6abc's - a group of guys in the metro station trying to distract me as I was buying tickets. But my family fended them off, as did several locals (who seemed even more annoyed than I was!). It wasn't so threatening, and frankly, if they had been able to pick anything from my purse, which has pockets within pockets and which I wore across my body at all times, I would have been impressed.

ita, I agree about the Barcelona style. Not at all the chic European dress you'd see in Madrid or Paris or Rome. Very laid back, even in the evenings and on Sundays.

6abc

I just checked back on my post and am amazed at the chatter this is causing. I should clear up one thing ..... the photographs I made in the subway were first of the train speeding by. I like to catch the movement of the train.

The other photos I did ask permission. It was a very strange situation and quite humorous. It was a young English lad holding a surf board. I just found it quite interesting to see someone carrying a surfboard in the subway. He was very kind and he let me make a photo of the situation.

I am also amazed at the cleanliness of subway in foreign countries and I love the lighting and sparkle of the subway lines in Barcelona and London. We all have different interests I guess.

And one is permitted to take pictures in public places and if it is of a specific person I will usually ask permission. If denied I just say thank you. I if is a large crowd shot I do not ask permission and I was not approached by any police.

ekscrunchy

Glad it worked out! I love Barcelona.

Could you please explain the handbag theft alarm? Thanks!

chapla

I've been in Madrid for over 2 weeks now and I have to say, it's much calmer.There's a definite increase in police presence.in cars, motorbikes and on horseback.I haven't witnessed any crime although I have to admit I'm not a fan of the metro-I prefer to walk or take the bus.All the illegal manteros-those guys selling illegal cds on blankets are finally gone and the various demonstrations are peaceful.

danon

Sometimes, like in all big cities, it may depend on the area where you are taking or getting off metro.
I also liked tthe bus in Madrid. Walking from the Opera to Cibeles on a warm, fall night
was a pleasure.

The streets in both Madrid an Barcelona seemed better lit than ever.

ekscrunchy

Today's NY Times features a series of photos taken in the NYC subways; seems a bit scarier than Barcelona ever could be!


http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/1...ef=todayspaper

november_moon

"Glad the tourists can show their cousin Burt back home what "those foreigners " look like."

Uhhh, yeah - that's why people take pictures of other people on trips. Sure.

6abc

eksctrunchy...Thanks for the NY time link...loved it.

Michael...Walker Evans is one of my favorites.

Danon...I make pictures of people not to show Uncle Burt once I get home...but for me it is capturing a moment in time...a split second that we will never get back...a documentation of a small event...there are many different reasons to photograph people...and I do it at home also...I don't ride the subway in Philadelphia but I do walk the streets and make photos of events on the street...someday I will venture into our subway system....you might knit or cook or make jewelry my passion is photography....I love making the photos and I love looking at other peoples photos especially of people in the streets (no matter where they are)

On the a different note I am glad we have all had safe journeys....maybe reading this post opened some peoples eyes to the potential of being pick pocketed and if that is what it has accomplished then I am glad.

Aduchamp1

That was a chilling photo of the guy with a knife. Great, great shot.

danon

What people do and why is their choice.
Some travelers take pictures for their own pleasure, but I am
almost sure many do it to show the photos to
friends and family .
Why would anyone be offended
by that insinuation ?

Unless, of course, one works for the National Geographic.

danon

eks, great picks.
I took metro when I arrived at Sants from Madrid. - there was some kind of demonstration near the area I was going to so taxi was not an option. At Sants and later , at one of the stops, I noticed security men with big dogs. I have not seen that in Barcelona before.

november_moon

"Some travelers take pictures for their own pleasure, but I am
almost sure many do it to show the photos to
friends and family .
Why would anyone be offended
by that insinuation ?"

First you say it is rude to take pics of locals on the subway, then you say that if someone doesn't get it, then it isn't worth explaining the reason for your opinion, and then you basically call people provincial and racist for taking pics of people in the subway. I can't imagine why anybody would take exception to that.

ita

re handbag theft alarm. I bought one that hangs on my bag. If you are being threatened you pull out the pin and it emits blood curdling screams. Well I was never threatened in Barcelona, but sometimes the pin would come out and the bloodcurdling screams ensued. People certainly noticed. My daughter was mortified. Once a security guard came to check. People just laughed when they realized nothing was wrong. My big problem was how to pack it so it wouldn't go off.

danon

It is rude to take pictures of people without their permit ion
if one does not feel that way, why bother explaining.
What is provincial or racist is In the eye of the beholder.

Of course, one can always post pics. on Facebook .

Kevbhoy

Barcelona - photographers beware - why go to a city (ie Barca) where there are robbers/thieves everywhere, where the police are noticeable by their absence (esp at airport)and where the police are hesitant to even issue a report after you have been a victim of theft?

My camera was snatched while at a car hire desk at the airport - no cops in the airport - vote with your feet is my advice. Also a notorious place for muggings - stay clear imho!