I have some very unfortunate news. As some of you may know, I was robbed while in Barcelona. Now before anyone goes on believing that I was a naive young girl who couldn't handle the big city, let me get my story out. Before leaving for Barcelona I told my friends how awful the pick pocketers were in Barca. I warned them. I knew it could happen to anyone at any mooment after Livy told me that her Dad was stolen from his fanny pack on the metro while vacationing in Barcelona this summer. A fanny pack. He never even felt a thing. With this in mind I took the smallest bag I owned and wore it across my body the entire trip. I was so extremely careful that I put it on my lap between my legs in restaurants. I new that these people were professional thieves.
Now for the story. I had gone out dancing on Tuesday morning (everything is just delayed in Spain...I'm not a party animal...let's be real..you all know me) we left the disco around 4:40 or so. I don't really remember what time. We then went back to the youth hostel to grab some coats. Once we had our coats in hand we made our way out to the main street in Barcelona. We headed towards the beach. We wanted to watch the sunrise. On our way we ran into two of other friends in the street so naturally we stopped to talk to them. We were standing in a circle...just talking...ready to go any second...when I reached my arms up to put a ponytail in my hair. Then it happened so fast. My bag was cut from me with a knife. A guy that was with my friend Tabea chased him. Mitchell and I ran after them. Tabea's friend caught up with him but the thief had a knife. There was nothing he could do. I was running and screaming at the top of my lungs for as long as I physically could. It was no use...he was gone.
I went to the police station immediately after and filed a report. My friends walked me back to the hostel where I called my family and canceled my debit cards. I found out that my pin number for my card here was in the bag that he stole. He had access to all of my money in my bank account in Spain. He withdrew 590 Euros. I can't get that money back unless he is caught...he won't be caught. He does this everyday. Nothing was taken from my American account and my new card is already on the way. Until then I have 15 Euros to get by on. My friends and host family here will support me until I can have access to my money. I went to the bank this morning and canceled my bank account here. The banker gave me the 5.30 Euro that was left. Ha. Fabulous.
My camera, cell phone, drivers license, debit cards, and my student ID here were all stolen. Not to mention my favorite little owl change purse from Aunt Barbie and my bag from the Cathedral Cafe in West Virginia. But these things are all replaceable. I was not physically hurt. I am very hurt emotionally and I am doing my best to stay positive. I will not be defeated by this. I was a victim, but I will not stay one. There has to be some reason this happened...not because I needed to learn a lesson because I already knew...At least I made it easy for the guy...I hope he turns his life around with that money...even though...let's be honest...probably not going to happen. I'm upset about the money because I earned every penny of it. I keep relaying the situation in my head over and over again and it's so torturous. I don't want anyone to be worried or feel bad for me. I just want support and understanding. I feel so alone. I've thought about coming home so many times, but I will not. I will enjoy the rest of my year. I will over come this. It's just gong to take some time.
I'm sorry this isn't the blog you were all looking forward to, but I felt you should know. I'm not going to lie, this is the hardest thing I've ever had to go through-but I am strong. I will over come this. I don't know why it happened, but it did. Now all I can do is try to look at the good...I was not hurt...things could be much worse. I only lost a little bit of money. I'm traumatized emotionally, but I am physically better than ever. I'm healthy everyone. I love you all. I need your support. Thank you for everything. Besos.
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