travel

Hi lovelies! How is everyone and what have I missed?
Barcelona + Tom = amazing weekend! It was incredibly windy and cold (as opposed to last week’s 16 degrees!) so we were wrapped up and kept walking into shops and cafes just to keep warm. The city was beautiful, though, so it was all worth it. I hadn’t had a sore throat in a while, so of course my body decided this would be the best time to act up, but Tom is a sweetheart and got me some hot chocolate before bed and lemons in the morning so our Valentine’s was saved! We mostly spent it eating and in the metro talking about important things like the soul/body division and space. It was perfect.

So being a tourist for the weekend made me realize the importance of not looking like one; we all know pointing upwards every few meters and wearing a camera around our necks are obvious no-nos, but having a huge sign in red print that reads ‘I’m a tourist — come get me’ may lie in the subtleties. Here’s how to avoid that and a few tips to keep in mind while you’re out exploring the world:

  • Know where you’re going. Metro stations you need to get off on, bus numbers and relevant street names.
  • If you must check your map, do it in a cafe or inside a shop.
  • Bring only the cash you’ll need for the day, preferably in small bills (seems simple enough, but I’ve seen a couple of people flashing big bills around! The reason they are so noticeable is because not many people walk around with them…And they tend to come in pretty colors.)
  • Keep change and metro/bus tickets separate from your wallet so you don’t have to keep reaching for it.
  • Dress as you would at home, keeping in mind the local weather. Unless of course, you’re going on a Safari across India or something that would require shorts or hiking gear. Keep in mind dress codes you might have to adhere to depending on the culture you’re visiting. *There seems to be a common misconception that Southern Europe (France, Spain, Italy) are always warm and sunny year-round. This is only really true in the summer months, but even then there are alternatives to wearing shorts and sandals: skirts and dresses for women, light pants for men, stay away from synthetic fibers and you’re good to go!
  • Pay attention to your choice of bag — big sporty bags are usually a good sign you’re a tourist.
  • Be wary of people who stop you for help/conversation/etc in the middle of the street; just keep walking and shake your head in a “No, sorry” motion.
  • Look for street names subtly, definitely not pointing or straining to look upward for them!
  • Keep your camera in a regular bag or purse, avoiding camera bags and backpacks! While taking a photo, do hang it around your neck so that nobody can snatch it from you. But as soon as you snap just put it back in there.
  • Be polite — research local customs before your trip and if possible learn a few keywords in the local language; most people try to help out someone making the effort to communicate in their language.
  • If you want to experience the authentic local culture, stray away from tour guide books and guided tours and ask at your hotel lobby (or in any shop) what areas of the city might be interesting for you to check out.

The point isn’t to blend in completely, but to avoid becoming an easy target for savvy local robbers. Always keep an eye out and notice your surroundings!