A Fool and Her Money
by Yes, we were parted. Much as I hate to admit that I was naive enough to let myself be robbed, in the interest of making others aware of what signs to look out for, here’s how it happened.
It’s very embarrassing for me to have to admit that I was robbed during my recent trip to Barcelona. I have nobody but myself to blame (apart from the robbers, of course), and thinking back I should have realized that there was more to their actions than met the eye.
On April 22, Barcelona was buzzing. It was St. George’s day and the streets were lined with stalls selling flowers and books, and whichever way you looked there was a sea of bobbing heads as far as the eye could see.
We were headed up towards the Casa Mila, when two women accosted us and stuck red carnations inside our t-shirts. We were a bit taken aback, but since the whole place was humming in a fiesta-type way, my friend and I both thought that this must be some kind of local tradition. This is where we missed our first clue: they weren’t red roses, they were red carnations.
The two women then held up what looked like 5 cent pieces, and kept saying “Penny Madam!” My friend took a 10 cent piece out of her purse and said she didn’t have any 5 cent pieces but that this would be for both of us. But the two women were adamant: “No, Madam, penny!” Then they kissed their pennies and tapped them on her purse.
I knew I had some 5 cent pieces, so I got out my purse and took out two. Meanwhile, I heard my friend saying “Don’t pull!” and then the two women were in front of me waving their coins at me. I offered them the two 5 cent pieces, but they took them out of my hand and tried to open my purse as if to return them. I wouldn’t let them do so, and I took the coins back and tried offering them again.
Again the women refused and one made as if to open my purse and return my coin, but I held on tight and wouldn’t let her. Then she kissed her coin and tapped my purse. At this stage I should have smelled a rat, but I was thinking this must be some kind of strange ritual, like giving good luck etc. and I really didn’t want to offend anyone.
I offered the coin again. I really didn’t want to just take the flower without paying, since it was obvious something was expected from me. Again she said “No, Madam, Penny!” and once again she kissed her coin and tapped it on the side of my purse, then I felt her pulling at it, and I decided enough was enough. I pulled my purse away, gave the flower back to them, and caught up with my friend.
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post CommentIcyCucky
On May 1, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Sorry to hear this Dee, and there is no way that you can be prepared for something like this..
Darlene McFarlane
On May 1, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I am so sorry to hear this happened to you, Dee. The fact that they only got the money you would use for that day was a stoke of luck and that you were not hurt is a blessing. Don’t be ashamed of what happened. It’s normal to expect others to treat you the way you treat them. People who treat others suspiciously are often those who are suspect themselves. Be proud of who you are. The fact that you didn’t know what was going on proves your kind and compassionate spirit.
Darlene
Moses Ingram
On May 1, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Sorry to her this. I guess we always have to be more aware when on vacation.
louie jerome
On May 1, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Sorry to hear this Dee. My sister and I saw a scam like this in Majorca. There was street entertainment and I had a zipped up pocket on my jacket. Four times I found the zip open and didn’t realise. Fortunately there had been nothing in the pocket. Some of these people are very clever.
Judy Sheldon
On May 1, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Dee, you are right, you were fortunate to have only lost some folding money. Thankfully they did not get something with your identity on it, or all your money, or worse yet hurt you. It’s sad how thieves behave, but one day the chickens come home to roost.
Francie
On May 1, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I am speechless, how awful! The only up side is you were not harmed! Lucky to have had a friend with you!
R.B. Parsley
On May 2, 2008 at 2:16 am
Dee,
Great article!!! This is one reason I wouldn\’t want to visit another country. Too many things like this happen. When I was in my twenties I had two men to try and bully me out of my wallet. Beings I don\’t like bullies, they did\’t, they found out just how much I hate bullies.
Randy
Dee Huff
On May 2, 2008 at 3:00 am
Thanks, all of you, for your kind words. I hope I’ll be a bit wiser in the future. Lucy, what a pain to have to cancel and replace all of your cards, licence, and did you have to have all the locks changed too? Randy, I’d still go back to Barcelona, despite what happened. It’s a really fabulous place with so much to see and do.
Anne Lyken-Garner
On May 2, 2008 at 8:39 am
Don’t feel bad Dee, this kind of thing happens to lots of people. I’m glad that you’re not hurt and are looking at it from the perspective that it’s not a foreign country that’s bad, it’s just a few people in it.
I find that a tummy belt is very handy for when we go abroad. All the money is right in front of you and you’re not distracted by a handbag or purse.
Thanks for sharing this because now we know what to expect if someone tries this on us.
Ruby Hawk
On May 2, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I can only imagine how you must have felt but I am so glad you are all right and nothing of great importance stolen. I had my house invaded once but nothing this personal. Good luck to you in the future.
Nick Kenney
On May 2, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Bless your heart, Dee…how tragic for you while being on vacation. I agree with everyone else thank God they didn’t get anymore than they did and neither of you were hurt. They didn’t get away with anything…what goes around comes around.
Meri Jeffrey
On May 3, 2008 at 9:31 am
I am sorry, too, this is so unfortunate! I agree that a tummy belt can help in the future!
nobert soloria bermosa
On May 6, 2008 at 3:51 pm
very nice article,im glad you shared it w/ us, we all gotta take extra care anywhere,anytime
R.B. Parsley
On May 15, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Dee,
I can only imagine how wonderful Barcelona is. When I wrote the above comment my thoughts was on that teenage girl that disappeared here while back. Thank god what happened to you is minor compared to what happened to her, but still a tragedy, if only a minor one at that. If I went overseas, they’d probably not only take my money, and shorts; they’d probably leave me standing their in the nude looking stupid, lol. Actually the only two places I’d like to go overseas is London England and of course Canada. But I do most of my vacationing between my back yard and Gatlinburg Tennessee. If you choose to go back to Barcelona Dee, please be very careful… and bring back some good pictures.
Randy
Joe Dorish
On August 24, 2009 at 9:40 am
That really stinks! Sounds a lot like Rio where they will also rob you blind if they can.
Jacques Berkeley
On September 11, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I hate that sort of thing.
CA Johnson
On October 20, 2009 at 9:36 pm
I’m sorry that happened to you too. That is great that they didn’t manage to take more of your money and your credit cards too.
Rump
On November 22, 2009 at 8:01 am
Taking your credit cards would’ve been way worse. At least they didn’t right? Besides “Never cry over spilt milk”. Take it as an experience and you’ll never be robbed again.
Judy Sheldon
On October 4, 2010 at 10:57 pm
I’m back to read this fascinating article again. It was so kind of you to share so that we would not experience something similar.