So why a smile? Am I that sadistic that I take pleasure in the misery of others. No, I smiled because the story brought back memories for me. I can't claim them to be extremely fond, but memories none the less. Most importantly memories that taught me a some lessons. It came as no shock to me to hear that this incident occurred in Barcelona. It is a beautiful city, and I strongly recommend a visit there, but hang on to anything you haven't nailed to your body. I can think of at least three first hand accounts, and several second hand ones from people who got valuables stolen in this pick pocket paradise.

One of the people that got his wallet stolen was my traveling companion two summers ago, Matt. If you see Matt, don't tell him that the theft brings a smile to my face, I think it is still to soon for him to look back on it and laugh. My purpose in writing this anecdote is two fold. The first reason is to tell travelers to be careful (not just in Barcelona) with their valuables. Some of what I am going to say should be common sense (Matt), but I want to put it writing anyway for those who may not have picked it up (Matt). Always keep everything strapped to you, and out of site as much as possible. In train stations, restaurants, bars (especially bars, after too much Sangria) always keep at least one limb tucked through a strap on your bag. Again, it should go without saying that your wallet should never be left laying around, no matter how cumbersome it may seem. Actually the more cumbersome the better, because it is harder to pick, and easier to feel when it is being taken. Just use common sense and good judgment and you should be fine. You should be fine, but things happen, and wallets and bags get stolen, which leads to the second point I would like to make. By all means if someone threatens you with physical violence, your wallet is not worth your life. I am actually glad that this experience occurred to me. First off, it wasn't my wallet, so the sinking feeling you get when you realize something like that is missing was not in my gut, it was in Matt's. Secondly now I know that all the things lost in a wallet are replaceable on the road, and I know how to ago about it. That is what I would mainly like to share with you. 

The most important thing for immediate needs like food and shelter is that you have back up money, or at least access to it. You should always have a variety of ways to get a hold of your money. The main four options these days are Traveler's Checks, cash, ATM, or credit card. A little from all four arenas is a good way to be safe. I did leave out the fifth option; a good harmonica for street busking if it comes to that. Of course however don't carry it all in one place. The way I travel these days is almost solely with ATM money. I have a (money) belt which from the front looks like a normal belt but the back of it has a zipper so that folded bills can be concealed inside. I got it at REI (camping gear etc.) for about 12 dollars. I carry 100 dollars in US cash in there, 100 dollars in travelers checks, and that is my emergency fund. Hopefully not too many street thugs are reading this on the internet, otherwise my secret will be out. I always figure that if someone forcibly gets my wallet off me, they will leave me my belt (hopefully) and I have a tiny reserve arsenal until help arrives. Always leave some of your money at home where a trusted friend or relative can gain access so that they can wire you money. If you are traveling with a partner, make sure both people have a trusted party back home, and that these trusted parties are in contact. It was very easy in my case, because Matt's mother gave my father some money to put in my account, and I withdrew for two, until we were able to catch up with a replacement card for Matt in Lisbon. The next thing on the list that needs replacing is the passport. With a little pre-planning replacing a passport is simple. Of course it is much easier if there is a consulate/embassy of your home country in the country/city that you lost your wallet. In the case of Barcelona, there is an American Consulate. Of course whatever day you need it to be open, it will probably be a holiday. Keep in mind that embassies close for the holidays of their host country and their own country, leaving them open something like every third Wednesday. Just hang tight and keep a smile on your face for the passport photo, taken in the shop that is inevitably around the corner from the embassy district. It will cost about 100 USD to replace a US passport, and you can get one in an hour. Here's the important part (the pre-planning I mentioned) for the speedy service, so pay attention. Always make 2-3 copies of your passport before leaving home. Keep one in your bags separate from the actual document, give one to your trusted person at home, and give one to your traveling partner (if you remembered to pack one). Matt's (trusted) mother faxed a copy of his passport to the Consulate in Barcelona, and an hour, 100 dollars, two passport photo's and one humiliated explanation by Matt about how he left his wallet sitting next to him on the bench later, and we were once again two travelers, two passports. 

The next thing to tackle was what to do about the rail pass that Matt had purchased to get around Europe. Needless to say he was anxious to leave Barcelona. Three simple words: BUY PASS PROTECTION. In the case of the Eurail pass (in 97) it is only an additional 10 dollars. It is well worth the cost considering Matt got reimbursed for about 300 dollars of a 580 dollar pass. This money would have been down the drain if he had not paid that ten dollars. The important part is to get a police report ASAP. The odds are very slim that the police will have any luck recovering your valuables, but the report is a great help when making a claim for reimbursement of any kind. The way it works is you need to purchase tickets point to point for the rest of the trip. It is of course handy here to have a credit card for these types of emergencies. When you return submit copies of the train tickets (which of course you diligently saved, and managed to keep from getting stolen) and your police report to the rail company or insurance provider. Refund judgments vary, but I assure you you will receive more than your ten dollars back. 

The last thing to replace is airline tickets, and these we had the most difficulty with. If you can, get electronic tickets, problem solved. If not possible, try not to wait until you are at the airport the day you plan to leave to take care of this. Having a trusted party at home is a great help in this arena because they can contact (and spend time on hold) the agency where you got the ticket much easier. Remember of course to buy a very nice gift for your home-field supporter. If you can spend a little more money up front when you have it, as opposed to the end when you are broke. The extra money spent for the ticket will buy a ticket that is more flexible, i.e.. you can change the dates of travel (for a smaller fee) and the reissue fee for a lost ticket is not astronomical. Student tickets are the way to go if you qualify for them. Even if you don't qualify there are ways around that, which I will let you figure out. Student tickets usually have the perk of low reissue fee, because students are notoriously preoccupied with more important travel issues (beer and the opposite sex) than keeping track of their tickets. Buying a bottom of the barrel price ticket from a consolidator will probably prove to be a huge hassle and expense if the ticket goes missing. Also it helps if you can book with an agency that has offices or affiliates worldwide and can provide assistance in other countries. Copies of the tickets rationed out in the same manner as the passport copies never hurts the process. Worst comes to worst; usually you can get to the airport and buy a one way ticket to return home. If you have purchased the right ticket ahead of time you can still get a partial refund on your original ticket. This is one of the perks of buying a (slightly) more expensive, more flexible ticket ahead of time. Usually the airline will refund your new one way ticket after a year minus a service fee, if it is the same airline as your original ticket. This was Matt's option. However, like I said try not to rely on this option because depending on the distance you are covering the ticket will most likely cost more than 1000 dollars, purchased the day of travel. Most people don't have that kind of money laying around at the end of a trip, but we do have credit cards. Try to look at it this way: When you receive the refund a year later, it will only cost the service fee and the interest on the credit card for the year. Not great, but it gets you home, and could certainly be worse. The main thing to remember is that like I said, it could be worse.

The following is the travel credo I try to live by: "there are really only three things that are irreplaceable when traveling your journal, your used film, and your life." Anything else is a hassle but a mountain that can be climbed. Try to keep it as a molehill. Think of all the mileage your journal (if it has not been stolen) will get and keep your spirits up.

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