Tale of the purse snatcher (a.k.a. my contribution to Barcelona's organized crime ring)

When a strange man sits down beside you in a fast-food restaurant eating nothing and pointing to the floor in a train station renowned for pickpocketers, consider that your first red flag. That I saw nothing on the ground and that he immediately left caused me concern in my foggy sleepy I've just spent a night on a train haze. When I finally realized he had snatched my purse (probably just 3 seconds after it happened) with absolutely everything to my name of importance in it while traveling, I yelled fire in Spanish (seriously, I had no idea at the time what my purse is stolen was in spanish) and then grabbed my small backpack and ran after him. I yelled at the security guard right outside with wild gestures and kept running; she could've cared less, was guarding an ATM and couldn't chase after him. I spent a few minutes chasing the guy but he had disappeared. Crap, my running background did not help me in this instance, then again I was no sprinter, perhaps my only consolation. As I returned to the station, distraught, thinking of all the things he stole: my Ipod, passport, 200 euros, $100 US dollars, 2 credit cards, 1 debit card, medical insurance card, driver's license, and oh yeah, my dignity, I felt sick. The security at the train station was so unhelpful, another sign they see this all the time. I had absolutely no money, no coins to even take a taxi or bus to the police station to fill out a report. Customer service at the train station allowed me to use their phone to cancel my credit cards....but it was too late. The dude had already charged over $2000 on my credit and almost $4000 on my debit. Thinking of it later I wondered how he was able to do this so fast and without showing an id when it hit me: I was victim to an organized crime ring, fo sha. I had read about pickpocketers and been warned by a number of people but never thought I'd fall victim to it. Hmmm, so much for thinking I was a seasoned traveler.

I'm almost too embarassed to mention which fast food restaurant I went to but I just gotta. In my defense, you have to understand I just got off an overnight train ride with virtually no sleep and the thought of an American breakfast after 2 weeks of only toast and espresso for breakfast sounded so good--yes, I went to a damn McDonald's. They are now forever banned by me btw.

Anyway, back to my sordid tale. I trudged my way to the police station walking with my huge backpack thinking this is a huge hassle but no way I'm going to let it ruin my vacation. At least my friend, Dinah would be arriving that night. The police report was mandatory before a replacement passport could be issued. Next stop: US consolate, but ummm, one small problem. No money to get there. Here's when my luck changed: the adorable receptionist gave me just enough money to get to the US consolate.

But wouldn't you know, it was closed! US Labor Day holiday!!! Now what? I had just enough money to get to the Embassy and not even any money to replace the passport anyway. So I saw a rather cute Spanish police officer (that I was still very aware of this despite feeling more helpless than I've ever felt in my life says something, I'm sure!) and was asking how to get back to the center of Barcelona, etc. and even talking about Valencia where he's from and he was the only person I actually asked for money and he would not give me any!! He could not even tell me how to get to town, where to go next, nothing. Throughout my experience with people in positions of authority, I have to say I was more impressed with the locals and not the police. But I have to admit they were the cutest Spaniards, lol!!!! So I go to the nearest bus stop, now feeling completely helpless. When the bus driver heard my pitiful Spanglish and my attempt at trying to pay for at least a portion of the fare, he let me on the bus and showed me exactly where to go next! Angel!

But my true angel was the lady working at the American Express! Apparently, you normally need your passport, not a copy of your passport to have emergency money wired. For whatever reason, she allowed me to have enough money wired to get by for the day before Dinah arrived that night. She even served me coffee and cookies, what a doll! So the one good thing I did and would recommend to everyone traveling is to make copies of your credit cards and passport and bury them in your luggage.

Never thought I'd find out which money wiring services are better than others. My choice is Western Union, not Moneygram....in case you're wondering. What a humbling experience!! And what great friends I have to offer so much help!!