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Susannafromsweden said:That was really bad news.
All right, I've googled and it looks like pepper spray is legal in Spain.
Does anybody know where one can buy it in Spain?
What kind of shops could have it?
marji said:...
I also thought punishment was severe for crimes against pilgrims and attacks were not so common...
SYates said:Please be careful! A weapon you don't know 120% how to use (and pepper spray is a weapon in that case) is a weapon in the hand of your opponent. Be also aware that, if the wind comes out of the wrong direction, you might attacking yourself. s. SY
Anniesantiago said:Hi. Glad you continued on.
Your link leads to a page that says the blog does not exist?
christer1 said:I fancy a wooden walking stick against a knife any day
Sent from my GT-I8190N using Camino de Santiago Forum mobile app
KinkyOne said:...
But I think all the pilgrims should be aware that (some) people are desperate because they lost their jobs, they can not feed their families and thinking of getting easy money from those "rich-nothing-really-important-doing" pilgrims. I guess you all know the economic situation in EU, Spain and..... But if they're not kind of professionals you should be even more careful because they tend to be veryvery nervous. They're most possibly not used to this kind of getting money and that is important. I saw (or was) many similar situations and I would really recommend to stay absolutely calm and do exactly what they want you to. That is I assume one would carry only a limited amount of cash or/and stacked the rest of it in some hidden pocket of a rucksack.
On the other hand if you have some knowledge in self-defense or feeling really strong (mentally) in those situations than use your walking poles (or a pepper-spray) as a weapon of defense or at least start to scream out loud even if in the middle of nowhere. That might scare them off, because most probably they're even more scared than you are. But I still think it's better to act according to previous paragraph.
...
KinkyOne said:@christer1
I've said it all long ago
KinkyOne said:...
But I think all the pilgrims should be aware that (some) people are desperate because they lost their jobs, they can not feed their families and thinking of getting easy money from those "rich-nothing-really-important-doing" pilgrims. I guess you all know the economic situation in EU, Spain and..... But if they're not kind of professionals you should be even more careful because they tend to be veryvery nervous. They're most possibly not used to this kind of getting money and that is important. I saw (or was) many similar situations and I would really recommend to stay absolutely calm and do exactly what they want you to. That is I assume one would carry only a limited amount of cash or/and stacked the rest of it in some hidden pocket of a rucksack.
On the other hand if you have some knowledge in self-defense or feeling really strong (mentally) in those situations than use your walking poles (or a pepper-spray) as a weapon of defense or at least start to scream out loud even if in the middle of nowhere. That might scare them off, because most probably they're even more scared than you are. But I still think it's better to act according to previous paragraph.
...
I get your point. Those speculations (also by at least one other poster here) might not be wise. Even if it were Roma. I guess the movie The Way didn't help in this case...Tincatinker said:Wim and Christien, I am sorry for your troubles. Your experience must have been very unpleasant. But why "maybe Roma"? Why not "not Dutch" "not Spanish" or "Not Pilgrims". We have enough sh!t to shovel without copping for every maybe in Europe. "Maybe Roma" just adds to a mythology that allows for every kind of oppression and suppression that keeps people " outside of society" as Patti Smith so succinctly put it.
Stealing (the taking of someone's property, other than from their person by force or threat), and Robbery (the taking of property from the person, usually with the element of threat of violence) can happen ANYWHERE. I dare say that ROBBERY is extremely rare on the Camino, while stealing is a bit more common. Nevertheless, it is likely that such incidents are LESS common on the Camino than in our home communities. By way of illustration: Spain, a country of about 45 million people, had @ 300 intentional homocides in 2011. Chicago had over 600, and the USA had over 15,000. Statistically, that one type of crime is over 8 times LESS likely to occur in Spain, then in my home country. I live in Kansas City, and feel safe in my community, although hardly a day goes by that the news doesn't include a story about seriose criminal violence which has occurred within a couple of miles of my home....
So I think it doesn't hurt to be vigilant and sensible with hiding valuables etc, but we oughtn't give into fear - don't change your life because of what some lowlife might do!
A careful reading of this thread reveals only one "first person" experience of a robbery in the last two years. The remaining discussion is quite non-specific and speculative about "reports of robberies". It is good to know that there have been no reports of incidents for months now. I am wondering if you are in a position to put this thread to rest and advise how many incidents were actually reported to the authorities. Thanks. PeteTo all peregrinos walking or intending walking the camino de la plata...
I am backed in santiago again almost 2 weeks working in my albergue as a hospitalero and i have not heard any recent robberies committed in the past couple of months...
It is a good illustration of how one person's experience can spin almost into an urban myth. It is good to have the post because it reminds us of the need for caution, but crime is simply not widespread, and the police have a vital interest in protecting pilgrims. Think about the 35E per day pilgrims spend for somewhere between a week and five weeks. That is a lot of money going directly to service providers in small villages and cities!A careful reading of this thread reveals only one "first person" experience
Excellent observation - be aware but not intimidated.THIS JUST IN: For the three months ending August, 2013, 112,661 pilgrims were received at the Pilgrims Office ............Oh, by the way, there have been no robberies reported on the Camino VdlP during the same three months.
Thank you, dmantony, that's a good footing for a pilgrimage. And thank you everyone who's posted recently in this thread. I am certainly hoping to find fellow pilgrims to walk with on the first couple of stages. So - still a request to anyone who'll be starting from Sevilla on the 18th or 19th - gulp! next week!Matthew 10:16
a robber with a weapon has the weapon specifically hoping you will not resist and are often frightened away by resistance. A robber who is looking to kill will kill you whether you resist or not. The reason robbery becomes rampant is because it is so successful. If you ask me, not resisting is a good way to get not only robbed but killed.
If you will consult with law enforcement and security experts I believe that you will find that your advise is not shared by those professionals. I do not consider myself such an expert, but I have spent over 35 years working in the criminal justice system as a parole officer, defense attorney, and prosecuting attorney. The saddest cases are those that escalated from a property crime into one involving serious physical injury (or worse) because of resistance. It is rarely wise to risk one's life or health over a matter of mere money or property.
Fortunately such incidents are extremely rare in Spain and on the Camino.
Hi. Glad you continued on.
Your link leads to a page that says the blog does not exist?
Personally I would be reluctant to send my credit card details by email …it may not be secureKeep a smile on your face, a prayer in your heart, and your eyes open.
On the practical side, I have photographed my passport and credit card and e-mailed them to myself. I have used a subject line something like You Idiot or Bad Luck to hide the contents. Just in case someone's sticky fingers DO make it into my pocket, at least I will have a copy to work with in the retrieval process.
And in the spirit of the Camino, after the knee-jerk curse comes out of your mouth, send the perpetrator on his or her way with a blessing.
Hi Deborah, I arrive in Seville tonight and would love to walk out together but would want to spend a day in Seville tomorrow 8th, for a quick look at the marvels on offer. Hopefully see you tonight or tomorrow morning.
Hi Annie,Hi Angela
Your time has come !
But don't rush off! It is such a long haul , take that time tomorrow to 'smell the roses'. Literally. There is such a lovely rose garden in the park opposite Plaza de Espana
'Buen Camino
Annie
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