Thieves In Barcelona

[Elli]

Calling them ''eastern Europeans'' or ''Romanians'' is unfair to the vast majority of honest people in those countries. Call them what they are - gypsies.

The cities in which I have had the most encounters with gypsy pickpockets are Rome and Bucharest.

Carolinian, I just repeated what the front desk person told us.

 

[Hoc]

Hoc, I remember you were asking about hotels in Barcelona when you were planning your trip. Where did you end up booking?

I had originally booked at the Hotel Continental Palacete, but then I figured that, with a confirmed booking, I could try a real deal on Priceline. Kept bidding on 5-star properties at less than the price for the Hotel Continental. Then, about a month or two before I left, I hit on Priceline and got the Hilton Diagonal Mar for about $150 a night.

Checked into the Hilton and because of my Diamond Status with that chain, they upgraded me to an Executive Suite. I had a great ocean view, large suite and lounge access. The lounge was open from 7 am until 11:30 pm and had free breakfast, afternoon tea and pupus, and all day drinks, with unlimited alchohol served from noon until closing.

I'm not a big drinker, but there was always at least one guy (different one each night) who was falling down, sloppy drunk by the late evening. The food was not great, but the unlimited access to water, juice, wine, and sodas was wonderful. They had an open-air balcony that got a nice ocean breeze each night (important, since it was incredibly hot).

We ate breakfast in the lounge each morning, and mostly had the pupus for dinner, taking at least one nice meal - lunch - out each day.

Ultimately, it was a good deal.

 

[Hoc]

Just goes to show there are good and bad people everywhere.

Of course, that's true. But the point is that, when it comes to pickpockets, there seem to be more bad ones in the Barcelona metro than in any other city in the world.

 

[Elli]

I had originally booked at the Hotel Continental Palacete, but then I figured that, with a confirmed booking, I could try a real deal on Priceline. Kept bidding on 5-star properties at less than the price for the Hotel Continental. Then, about a month or two before I left, I hit on Priceline and got the Hilton Diagonal Mar for about $150 a night.

Checked into the Hilton and because of my Diamond Status with that chain, they upgraded me to an Executive Suite. I had a great ocean view, large suite and lounge access. The lounge was open from 7 am until 11:30 pm and had free breakfast, afternoon tea and pupus, and all day drinks, with unlimited alchohol served from noon until closing.

I'm not a big drinker, but there was always at least one guy (different one each night) who was falling down, sloppy drunk by the late evening. The food was not great, but the unlimited access to water, juice, wine, and sodas was wonderful. They had an open-air balcony that got a nice ocean breeze each night (important, since it was incredibly hot).

We ate breakfast in the lounge each morning, and mostly had the pupus for dinner, taking at least one nice meal - lunch - out each day.

Ultimately, it was a good deal.

Hoc, looks like you really got a good deal and enjoyed your stay.

 

[MaryH]

Another scam I came across in Brussels airport / train station 3 years ago:

I was waiting for a hotel shuttle bus at Brussels airport. 2 latin or middle eastern looking man (both dress well in business casual) came up with a digital camera saying they have not seen each other for a while and can I take a picture of them. I had my bags, a rollabord plus computer bag and a longchamp bag, on a cart. I agreed and had to step sideways to take the picture. Fortunately being a little street savvy, I saw in the corner of my eyes someone was approaching my cart from behind me and turned and went back to my bags. That person run away and the person who asked me to take the picture came and got his camera claiming he was afraid that it would be stolen. I was trying to protect my bags so let him take it since it would be bad if he ran off with my computer.

Nothing was taken but I was very unhappy. I went to the information both to warn them that someone was trying this and they should warn the public. They asked if I was willing to wait and talk to the police since they have had a lot of problems recently. Since I had a little time, I agreed and the police came to fetch me and one took my statement in their office while 2 went to search for those guys. They manage to locate one just after my statement was finishing and I was able to identify the guy and also the scratch in a particular location on the digital camera that I noticed while focusing the camera.

I had been hit 20 years ago in London while on my first major vacation with my sister. Both of us were doing brass rubbings at Westminster Abbey and had our day pack between 2 of us. She thought I was looking after it and I thought she was and someone walked away with it The took a camera, umbrella and some guidebooks....

The other 2 times I lost my stuff in Prague and Las Vegas are due to my carelessness but they were not there when I went back to look for it.