Watch your valuables!!! Really!! and other Madrid, Spain Warning Or Danger Tips

Ok ok, I know you have probably heard this 1,357 times before but its important. In Madrid you really have to be careful with pickpockets. (and in the rest of Spain and Europe)

I pass through the Sol area about 3 times a week or more and nothing has happened to me there BUT and I have seen SEVERAL people get pickpocketed, or who were recently pickpocketed. Around the city at least 5 of my friends have been robbed while I was with them, usually on the metro, and my cell phone was taken in the one instant that I wasn´t paying attention. Once on Calle Montera I saw a guy throw a wallet on the ground that he had just taken all the money out of. I even once saw the operation in action, a scraggly looking guy comes pushing his way through a crowd and hands off a wallet to a "business man" in a suit. And I was stupid enough to say something to him but I was just brushed aside. And I realized there was nothing I could do.
So, if you are in an area where there are lots of people just remember that someone is watching you to see if you would be a good target. Don´t be! Wallets, cell phones and cameras are the most common things to "disappear". Keep things secure and pay attention to what is going on around you!

After saying all that, don´t worry too much about your personal safety. Most pickpockets want to get your things without you noticing which is why they pick camera happy tourists who are looking at the buildings and other things. They do this for a living so they are very good. Some may have knives so if they are fighting you for the bag maybe you should let them have it.

Another reason to be careful, to make a police report for a stolen passport so you can get a new one is a PAIN IN THE NECK, Spanish police are the height of bureaucracy, expect to spend a couple of hours there. (near the Prado end of Huertas.)

I don´t mean to scare you, you shouldn´t be afraid to come to Madrid. It is a big city but one of my favorites and definately worth visiting, again and again!!!

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Acording to the free paper in Madrid "Metro" Nov 17,2005 in the province of Madrid 1,700 people get hit by a car when crossing the street. That is a lot of people!! In a study done by Mapfre, they say that in most cases the accidents are caused by the irresponsibility of the person doing the crossing, either on a red light or not in a crosswalk.
The most dangerous intersection in Madrid is at the Cibeles roundabout, (Paseo del Prado and Alcala streets) Actually, there is not even enough time to get all the way across the street on a green light, you actually have to run if you are going to make it!
So be careful and use common sense as you would in any big city, cars go very fast on Paseo del Prado/Recoletos/Castellana.
I don't think Madrid is worse than any other city its size but its another thing to keep in mind when you are enthralled with the beauty of the Cibeles fountian and the Palacio de Comunicaciones building behind it. Watch where you are going.
And as always, enjoy Madrid!!

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