Savvy in Spain: Insider Tips for Travelers
Some things are common sense when traveling abroad: Don’t flaunt your expensive belongings, for example, and don’t walk home alone at night. However, since coming to Europe, I have learned a number of other tips – both through advice and experience – that have helped me remain streetwise as I navigate Spain.
The same common sense that you would use in America applies here, too: Instead of walking home solo after a night out, take a cab. They’re cheap, the drivers are typically professional, and you are more likely to get home safely. Moreover, just as you would ignore an American catcaller, do not stop for or respond to anyone who addresses you on the street. Furthermore, don’t participate in botellones, or drinking publicly in conspicuous groups. This activity is popular amongst Spanish youths, but it is also illegal and will get you in trouble with both the Spanish authorities and the university.
Do not carry your passport around with you. You will rarely (if ever) be asked for identification to enter a club or purchase an alcoholic beverage. You will, however, need some form of photo identification to use a credit card in a store. Carry a driver’s license or student ID for this purpose; these are much easier to replace and won’t cause such a hassle if they are lost or stolen abroad.
Never leave your belongings unattended, for pickpockets run rampant in Europe. Our faculty leader informed us before our departure that petty crime is common in Spain, and theft of less than 200 euro is not punishable by law. Buy a crossbody bag and keep it on your person or in your lap at all times, or keep your valuables in a money belt. Do not leave your phone on the restaurant table during meals; it is too easy for someone passing by to swipe it without you noticing.
Many Americans (including myself) will have their first gypsy encounters in Europe. These clever people will approach you in the streets with sprigs of rosemary, perhaps also volunteering to read your palms. However, if you accept either of these offers, they will attempt to charge you money. (This also applies to street vendors who foist their goods on tourists – they may put something on you that you never asked for and refuse to take it back, insisting that you pay them.) Tell them, “Déjame en paz”, or if they are particularly agressive, head fast in the opposite direction. Furthermore, as our program coordinators told us from the start, remember that nada es gratis en España – don’t accept free handouts from strangers, as they rarely come without conditions attached.
Just as there are lesser-known safety secrets that can only be learned through firsthand experience, there are also hidden gems of traveling advice that would be difficult to find in guidebooks. For example, pack only half of what you think you need. It will be enough, and you will be happy to have the extra room when you inevitably end up buying more souvenirs than planned.
Once you have arrived in your new destination, you may find that the shops and restaurants around your hostel or homestay are a bit out of your price range, but walk just around the corner. You will usually find businesses that are more authentic (and more affordable) tucked away between the main tourist areas. This is definitely the case with Barcelona and Sevilla alike.
Finally, talk to people! Especially in Andalusia, most of the locals will be fascinated by you. They will usually be impressed with your Spanish skills and more than happy to share their own culture. Over the past few days, we have been doing service-learning sessions with the local mayores, and all of them have been keen on exchanging contact information to keep in touch and practice our respective second languages. In addition, last night at dinner, my friend group struck up a fun conversation with the family sitting next to us and discovered that they were originally from Ireland, visiting Barcelona on holiday. It doesn’t matter whether you speak to store employees, random passersby, or other students in your exchange classes; interacting with the diverse people around you will certainly enhance your experience abroad.
