... somewhat non-discriminating regarding their "targets" and locations.

On my 12th or more visit to Barcelona, I finally managed to join the ranks of those who got pickpocketed in this wonderful city.
Oddly enough, this did not happen among the crowds on the evil Ramblas or the haunted Metro at 2 am or at an hole-in-wall ATM in the Raval (all of which I frequented during the last 24hrs) but sitting on the harbor promenade wall with my camera placed conveniently next to me like Mr Stupid Tourist (with a very capital "S").
Sitting there I took a picture or two with my phone, then wanted to take the camera to take the same pics again - and gone it was.
Technically and financially it is no big deal.. 5 year old camera which may get you still 50 or 70 euros on ebay.
But gone were the photos of the day (fortunately I still have a few hundred at home of BCN) .

What struck me most that I wasn't exactly in an area crowded by tourists or any crowds at all. From a thief's perspective not a prime location. Nevertheless, it must have been a pretty well-educated thief as I did not notice anything at any moment.
But all it takes is the opportunity, I guess.

As this whole issue is not worth any minute of filing a report, I decided in a somewhat childish attempt of seeking satisfaction to wait to buy a new camera and to do my other shopping until I get to Lisbon on Monday

Besides this mildly unpleasant event it was another nice and sunny day in the city.

Oh dear. Sorry to hear that. Thieves are just everywhere.. waiting to catch you off guard. REALLY. Stay lucky ..

It could happen anywhere, in Barcelona or at home.

As far as purchasing a new camera anywhere in the EU, expect to pay a premium. The last time I checked, and had to replace a lens on the Nikon, the premium is around 40%, before taxes.

No worries, I usually shop in the EU as I live here
The camera was not that expensive.. Around 250 new, but that was 5 years ago.

I had someone attempted to pickpocket me in the metro in Barcelona. As I went down to the platform area, I passed an Asian woman in tears talking to a metro security about her stolen wallet. I knew this was one of the likely pickpocket in Barcelona, so I knew my concern was valid watching this lady. I had no valuable in outside pockets, but I had a day pack with nothing of value - just a sweater, water bottle, guide books, and maps. The train was not crowded at all and no one bumped into me. When I was emerging out of the end station, I noticed the unmistakable calling card of the thief. All my day pack zippers were open. I lost nothing. I think if you take steps, you can relax yet be protected from busy fingers. My camera was on my neck strap. Some think this is dorky, but I have not lost my camera "yet" either from my forgetfulness or by theft. For me, the pictures are the one of the most valuable tangible end product of any trip. Even so, I upload all the pictures to my computer at night to minimize the loss of pictures even if I lose a camera. I also travel with at least two cameras. Some think this type of event happens anywhere, but I think there are huge differences in the rate between places. When I forget something in Kyoto, people would chase me to make sure I get reunited with my belongings. One of the fascinating thing about visiting foreign places is just how different the rules of the game can be.

They are pros at getting your stuff. We are amateurs at protecting our stuff. Guess who wins?

So sorry, Cowboy! It's never fun to be robbed, even if it was an old camera.

I feel for the loss of your photos. Even with hundreds at home, you took the new ones for a reason.

The only time I have been pickpocketed was on the Barcelona Metro and it was my own fault. By the time the "suspicion" factor kicked in they were long gone and, of course, this "show" was witnessed by everyone else in that Metro car who, of course, did nothing to stop the process (and expecting anyone to do so is a vain hope I suppose).

I think one of the problems with theft is it creates a great deal of anxiety, mistrust, and suspicion. Hopefully it also makes one more vigilant although this latter takes a degree of energy best spent on other pursuits IMO.

It seems as if nothing is beyond being stolen or appropriated. However I have to say that a few years ago in Switzerland my partner left a <B>paperback book</B>behind on a train and it was turned into the station's lost and found. I realize now that the reason is probably, or at least possibly, because the text was in English but it builds confidence nonetheless.

thanks for posting.

I sometimes think that if a place develops an embedded problem with pickpocketing and petty theft, then even people who otherwise wouldn't be thieves figure they are entitled to take your stuff if you are being careless with it. When I lived in NYC, I knew perfectly nice people who, if they found a wallet or phone or book, just kept it. When I lived in London, I saw many lost items left out on display near where they were dropped, awaiting the return of whomever lost them.

Once, I was in the train station in Porto and there was a woman making a huge scene about having just had her wallet stolen. She attracted the attention of all the train station personnel, and brought most foot traffic in the station to a halt. I am pretty sure she was a decoy, and that while she was waving her arms in hysterics, other members of her team were rifling the pockets of tourists who had just checked the location of their own wallets or had their glues to the histrionics.

They are professionals-must have been watching you!It reminds me of my friend who was reading,sitting on a bench waiting for the fancy market to open in the Salamanca barrio in Madrid.It was very early in the morning,no-one about.She set her cell phone down to put her book away and turned to pick up the phone-gone!She is also a savvy traveler and still laughs about it-thank goodness it was a cheap pay as you go phone that cost her 15 euros!She bought another one and had fun caling her old phone,telling them to enjoy it-they didn't peak Spanish.............
They are so good!

sorry to hear it...but as you said, sometimes even the most experienced travelers cannot be careful all the time.