In Spain, everybody has a friend who has had their phone stolen in Barcelona. If you’ve spent any time in the city, you’ll probably know someone who’s been harassed walking down Las Ramblas or been followed through El Raval. Petty crime happens in every city, but it does seem to happen quite often in this one.
With fantasies of sandy Mediterranean shores and a cityscape adorned with Gaudí masterpieces, I didn’t complain when my university sent me to study in Catalonia’s capital. Moving abroad alone can be daunting, especially when you’re only told cautionary tales instead of recommendations. But when I arrived in the city, the warm welcome I received drowned out the ominous whispers.
